Scotland’s car manufacturing industry may not be world-renowned, but we do however insist on proving we’re sure good at selling cars.
In fact, the past two years have seen near continuous growth in the new car sales sector in Scotland, an achievement that was topped off by last month’s 15.2% increase in the number of new cars being registered. That’s an impressive 5775 new cars, up from 5009 at the same time last year. All this according to a report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Strathclyde, Central and Tayside reported the most new car owners. These are record-breaking sales numbers. February was the 36th consecutive monthly increase across the UK. The previous record was 26 months of consecutive growth, in the 1980s.
Never has Scotland seen such a booming new car industry. But how did they do it?
Well, the car selling industry has changed and changed for the better. Long gone are the days of Arthur Daley salesmen selling tin clangers held together by masking tape and hope.
New car sales are rising just as fast as the days of Arthur Daley salesmanship fall away.
People want well-made, fully functioning cars at reasonable prices – we also want a good experience during the sale. This means today’s car sales person has to be up-front, efficient and fully versed in the art of selling structured and affordable payment plans and attractive finance deals.
Transparency and affordability are the key factors here.
Of course, there’s also the attraction of new and ever more innovative products coming on to the market, as well as the vast choice of much more eco-friendly vehicles.
Lesser known and more affordable manufacturers are helping the new car sales rise, such as Romanian manufacturer Dacia, whose Sandero model sold 383 new editions during January and February alone.
It seems people want new cars – and they want the structured finance that is offering them opportunities that historically have been out of reach. And car sales people want the commission that is their reward.
What no-one wants is the world according to Arthur Daley, who betwixt puffs of his Hamlet cigar, opined the essence of successful salesmanship thus: “You make contact with your customer. Understand their needs. And then flog them something they could well do without.”
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