Commercial
vehicle dealers prepared to pay a premium to acquire the best, most saleable
stock at auction have been among the most successful in the showroom in recent
months, according to the latest observations of the market by Glass's
Guide.
By comparison, those retailers uncomfortable with
committing to the purchase of high-priced lots have seen business suffer as a
result.
Increasing competition at auctions has driven up
prices, with strong bids being placed by traders and private buyers alike when
desirable vehicles come under the hammer.
"Holding too much expensive stock could prove
fatal to any small to medium-sized business that is caught out by cash-flow
problems," acknowledges George Alexander, Editor of Glass's Guide to Commercial
Vehicle Values.
"All the same, it has become apparent that some dealers
have found it difficult to accept the opportunities that have been presented or
were just not bold enough to grab them.
"Having said this, it would now be wise to prepare
for a slowdown during the quieter summer months. Dealers should be
prudent and plan to hold less stock during this time as there is the risk that
the autumn will not see the traditional uplift in demand, possibly catching out
those who have been too bullish."
Alexander adds, "There are opportunities and
problems ahead in equal measure and, although there is currently no sign of an
upturn, the rate of downturn may be easing."
Paul
Philpott has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of Kia in Europe
following a major re-organisation of the Korean company's European Head Office
under President Sun-Young Kim.
Philpott moves to the headquarters in Frankfurt,
Germany, from his role as Managing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Limited where he
has re-built the operation on a retail and dealer focussed strategy since his
arrival in February2007.
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