Motor Trade Radio

16/07/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE ALERT – Motor Trade Radio Podcast, powered by Cazoo

What happens when one of automotive retail's most respected analysts is also running one of the UK's fastest-growing dealership operations?

This week, Philip and Curtis welcome back Steve Young, Executive Chairman of ICDP and Managing Director of Auto West London, representing the rapidly expanding OMODA UK and JAECOO UK brands.

In this episode, Steve shares his views on:

✅ Volkswagen's latest challenges and what they mean for the industry
✅ Lessons from recent new-brand market exits
✅ The phenomenal growth of Omoda and Jaecoo in the UK
✅ The opportunities and risks surrounding Chinese automotive brands
✅ Used car trends, dealer expansion and consumer demand
✅ Whether the recent heatwaves and World Cup have impacted showroom traffic

Packed with insight, experience and real-world retailer perspectives, this is essential listening for anyone involved in automotive retail.

🎧 Download and listen now to hear

https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/traffic.libsyn.com/motortraderadiocom/_Steve_Young_ICDP_industry_analyst_and_Auto_West_London_MD_on_the_latest_car_retailing_headlines_and_his_experiences_as_a_retailer_E43_S12.mp3

11/07/2026

🔥 HOT NEWS FOR THE HEATWAVE! 🌡️🚗⚡

New car registrations up 11%. Van sales up 12%. EVs now account for 30% of all new car sales.

But that's just the start...

🎙️ On this week's Motor Trade Radio Podcast, powered by Cazoo, Philip and Curtis dive into:

✅ June & H1 market performance
⚖️ The latest twists in the FCA finance redress saga
🚗 Whether used EVs have finally reached a consumer tipping point
📉 Skywell's UK distribution challenges
💰 Why customers still expect dealers to arrange their finance

Plus, June's Menable Moment with leadership insights from Stephen J. Whitton..

Don't miss the automotive industry's essential weekly roundup.

🎧 Listen now: https://motortraderadiocom.libsyn.com/hot-news-for-the-heatwave-june-h1-new-car-van-regs-up-gloves-off-in-fca-redress-tipping-point-for-used-evs-e42-s12

03/07/2026

🚗🏆 Exciting news!

I'm delighted to be joining the judging panel for the National Business Motoring Awards 2026.

Over the years, I've seen first-hand the innovation, resilience and excellence that continues to shape our industry. That's why I'm particularly looking forward to helping recognise the businesses, leaders and teams that are making a real difference across the business motoring sector.

The quality of entries is always inspiring, and it's a privilege to be part of a judging panel that celebrates the very best our industry has to offer. ⭐

A huge thank you to the organisers for the opportunity. I'm looking forward to working alongside my fellow judges and celebrating the winners at Coombe Abbey Hotel, Coventry, on 26 November 2026. 🎉

Good luck to everyone planning to enter! 👏

Look forward to joining my fellow judges - Paul Hollick, Emma Turness, Stewart Lightbody MAFP, Owen Edwards, Martyn Collins, Sharon Mitchell, Rose Butterworth, Andy Bruce, Paul Wilson, Julie Summerell, ⚡ Sam Clarke ⚡, Wendy Swaine, Caroline Sandall-Mansergh, Sue Robinson, Naomi Jane Nye

🚗🏆✨

03/07/2026

🎉 Registration is now open for The Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) Automotive Summit 2026!

I'm delighted to share that registrations are now live for what promises to be another outstanding event for the automotive and vehicle remarketing sector.

Taking place on Wednesday 25 November 2026 at The Slate, University of Warwick, the Summit will bring together leading industry experts to provide valuable insight into the economy, the automotive market, fleet, retail and remarketing.

Following a record-breaking event last year, we're aiming to welcome more than 200 delegates for a day of informed discussion, expert analysis and high-quality networking.

The Summit is open to both VRA members and non-members, and attendance remains free for motor industry professionals.

🎥 Take a look at this short video featuring highlights from our 2025 event and find out why the Summit has become a must-attend date in the automotive calendar.

✅ Register your place today: https://lnkd.in/exNA5wNq

We're also continuing to develop partnerships for the event. If your organisation would like to explore sponsorship opportunities and be part of one of the industry's most influential gatherings, please contact me directly.
I look forward to seeing you there.

Philip Nothard, Rupert Pontin, Nick Press, Francis Bleasdale, Keron Hurlstone, Hannah West, Gary Xuereb, Glenn Sturley, Marcus Blakemore MIMI, Cliff Deller Automotive Advisor and Consultant, Jonathan Butler, Chris Plumb, Sanjay Mistry, Simon Wells, Tony Saxon FCMA, CGMA

hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag hashtag

01/07/2026

⚠️ EXCLUSIVE TRADE VALUES UPDATE – ARE YOU KEEPING PACE WITH THE MARKET? ⚠️

Trade values, market movements and the fastest-selling used cars are all under the spotlight in the latest Motor Trade Radio Podcast, powered by Cazoo.

Joining us is Rupert Pontin, Head of Insight & Communication at Brego, with an exclusive analysis of trade values for June and the first half of the year, including:

💡 Headline trade price and sales trends for June and year-to-date
💡 Trade value performance by segment, vehicle age and fuel type
💡 The latest pricing trends across Chinese brands
💡 The fastest-selling used cars in the market today

Plus, don't miss , as Philip and Curtis discuss the biggest stories and hottest topics shaping the automotive sector.

🎙️ Listen now and stay ahead of the market with the insights that matter.

19/06/2026

Great to speak with Nick Carey at Reuters for a piece on European EV demand.

The has accelerated a shift already underway: rising fuel prices, more affordable models, and a growing supply of used EVs are reshaping the market.

The key question is whether this holds when fuel prices ease. As Dr. Andy Palmer CMG, FREng, who launched the mass-market Nissan Leaf, observed: "Consumer interest in EVs is clearly stimulated by low-cost, very good Chinese cars arriving on the market."

My view (Philip Nothard, Cox Automotive Europe) is that the structural foundations are now firmly in place: "A growing supply of affordable new and used EVs should sustain demand even if fuel prices ease. The market should stabilise; I very much doubt that we'll see a downturn."

A timely and important conversation. Well worth a read.

🔗 https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iran-war-fuel-spikes-lift-europes-ev-sales-again-growth-may-not-last-2026-06-18/

Rising fuel prices driven by the Iran ​war are boosting demand for new and used electric vehicles across Europe, industry data shared with Reuters ‌shows, though some executives warn interest could fade if petrol costs fall.

19/06/2026

If consumers aren’t rattled by war, what will it take?

UK households remain strikingly resilient: despite the war in Iran and higher inflation, confidence held at -23 in June, and spending rebounded, with retail sales up 1.2% in May. Consumers appear to be smoothing through higher energy costs and focusing on a clearer political outlook, keeping “animal spirits” stable. While younger sentiment has softened and labour market expectations hint at gradual cooling, overall demand remains firm, supporting modest near-term growth even as momentum begins to ease.

18/06/2026

🎬 Coming this Saturday…

Your weekly pulse check on the UK automotive sector is back.

📻 Motor Trade Radio Podcast – the only podcast bringing you all the headlines that matter, from factory to forecourt, powered by Cazoo

Join Philip & Curtis as they break down the latest stories shaping the industry — sharp, relevant, and unmissable.

🕢 Available from 7:30 am this Saturday
🎧 On your favourite podcast platform

Catch all the chatter that matters 👇

18/06/2026

Is the labour market proving too resilient for interest rate cuts any time soon?

The labour market shows only tentative signs of easing, reinforcing expectations of a prolonged holding pattern for MPC rates despite falling oil prices. Payrolls stabilised with a modest gain in May following sharp but revised declines, while LFS employment and workforce measures remain relatively firm and unemployment steady at 4.9%. Vacancies and redundancies signal limited softening, and although headline pay growth is moderating, underlying measures remain above levels consistent with the inflation target. Overall, persistent labour market resilience, despite geopolitical headwinds, suggests policymakers will remain cautious, with rate cuts firmly on hold as they await clearer evidence of slack.

15/06/2026

Really honoured to have supported Theo Leggett at the BBC News on this fascinating piece exploring the rise and potential revival of the convertible car.

The numbers are stark: UK convertible sales have fallen by nearly 90% in 20 years. But is it really the end of the road?

"It's a very clear supply and demand marketplace. Convertibles are more expensive to manufacture, for a very small market share." Philip Nothard, Cox Automotive Europe

A thank-you, too, to the team at MarketCheck for their support with the retail data insights.

Read the full article here 👇 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx212yy4er0o

UK drivers have taken a shine to the SUV but could the fate of the convertible be reversed?