FINDING THE RIGHT car for your lifestyle and budget can be a tricky process. We want to help streamline the search. As part of our Insights series, every week we’ll take a different car-buying question to the experts at the heart of the motor industry.
This week, we’re looking forward to the 181 and 182 registration period to see what’s in store for drivers across Ireland who are looking to trade up, come 2018.
We asked John Reilly, Sales Manager at Mooney’s Hyundai Long Mile Rd (you’ll find Mooney’s Hyundai in Deansgrange too), to offer some expertise. Here are five things he says that we can expect in 181 and 182…
The key thing is that dealers are now selling reliability and safety, which is a big consideration for those who want value for money. People are expecting this reliability and consequently want to have big warranties. Most manufacturers now offer five year unlimited mileage as a result.
People don’t want to have to buy a car again as many are time poor – they don’t want to be back in the dealership all the time. They have also changed on scrappage over the last few years and now realise the value of trading in, moving away from buying some of the less reliable brands when they buy.
We’re seeing a lot more people buying and returning with personal contract plans (PCPs) – there is huge value for secondhand customers who trade in. PCPs offer a two-way transaction which benefits both customers and dealers – it brings customers in the doors but it also helps them with the cost of ownership.
Dealerships are now a one-stop shop where people can come in and drive away and the arrangement is taken care of. They are more cost-effective than the five year purchase methods.
Even though nobody wants to think about a car crash, people need to know their car is going to come off well if there is one. Especially for customers with kids, they want to give their family the security they need.
They do this by seeking out autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles. Safety features have really become key to buyers’ expectations.
Along with a lot more autonomous driving and braking systems, people tend to opt automatically for the ‘frills’ – things like Apple Play and communication, climate control and cruise control, which will keep the value for future buyers,
People are now demanding high spec levels as standard – they want to upgrade and feel like they’re getting more bang for their buck when they do.
SUVs have become big sellers and cars like the Hyundai Kona now have a huge market share. People want that jeep design but don’t necessarily want to be spending ‘jeep money’ and have high running costs.
Instead we’re seeing more crossovers and SUVs, there’s a lot more interest in that line of models, especially the mini SUV segment which will be the biggest trendsetter that we’ll see next year.
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