Press release -
"Need for reassurance" set to remain high in 2014 for used car customers, says RAC Warranty
Post-credit crunch mindset will persist for some time to come
Used car customers will continue to look for a high degree of reassurance when making a purchase during 2014, says RAC Warranty.
While the overall economic picture is improving slightly, there is every chance that the real income of many used car buyers will continue to fall in the next 12 months as wage increases lag behind inflation.
For this reason, confidence will remain low and the need to create confidence among used car customers will remain paramount, said sales and marketing director Ian Simpson.
He said: “Sales of warranties and other ‘safety net’ motoring products have remained high since the credit crunch as customers seek to protect themselves against unexpected motoring costs and we expect this to continue throughout 2014.
“While there has been a slight increase in the ‘feel good’ factor among consumers in general, we do not believe this will be significant enough to offset the general lack of confidence seen since 2008.”
Simpson added that dealers who were investing time and effort in ensuring that warranties were properly integrated into the sales process were continuing to see improving results.
He said: “Customers continue to want a high degree of reassurance from their used car purchase and dealers that actively seek to answer this need with a credible extended warranty offering are seeing excellent results. We do not see any reason why this situation will change in the next 12 months.”
Simpson added that the RAC BuySure used car scheme, launched last year, was finding success for very similar reasons.
He said: “The initiative is designed to provide a highly credible used car proposition that creates a substantial degree of reassurance for the consumer. The strong results being achieved show that this idea has high levels of appeal for customers.”
RAC BuySure has been created to provide used car customers with a nationwide approved used car scheme that sets very high standards and is open to all kinds of dealers including independents, car supermarkets and franchises.
Dealers commit to an 82-point RAC Approved Preparation Standard on every vehicle, a minimum of three months’ RAC Warranty cover, three months of complimentary RAC Roadside breakdown cover provided free of charge and enrolment to RAC Accident Management Service, supporting the motorist in the event of an accident.
For more information on RAC Warranty and RAC BuySure visit:
http://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/rac-warranty/
http://www.rac.co.uk/buysure-faq/
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Notes to Editors
About the RAC
First formed in 1897, the RAC has been looking after the needs of its members and championing the interests of drivers for more than 120 years.
Today it has more than eight million members and is one of the UK’s most progressive motoring organisations, providing services for both private and business motorists. Whether it's roadside assistance, insurance, buying a used car, vehicle inspections and checks, legal services or up-to-the-minute traffic and travel information – the RAC offers a solution for all motoring needs. The RAC is committed to making motoring easier, safer, more affordable and more enjoyable for drivers and road users.
The RAC is the motorist’s champion and campaigns to support the interests of its members and UK drivers at a national level. This includes voicing concerns about the increasing cost of motoring, particularly the price of fuel and the high level of tax levied on it, advancing levels of road safety, and supporting the needs of all drivers, from young to old.
The RAC’s annual Report on Motoring – first published in 1989 – is one of a kind and provides a clear insight into the concerns and issues facing today’s motorists.
For the very latest news on UK fuel prices, check RAC Fuel Watch. It provides a comprehensive guide to the latest UK unleaded petrol and diesel prices – both at the wholesale level and at the pump - and tracks these prices daily to help drivers check if the price they pay to fill up is a fair one.
