Granted no quarter

What is the UK government up to? It wants to promote EV sales yet with no notice reduced the EV grant from £2500 to £1500 and the eligibility cut-off from £35,000 to £32,000.

I learned this when my mother’s superb Kia dealer, Snows of Newbury, told me her Soul EV had received the old grant as they had processed her order quickly.

I feel sorry for dealers who took orders they couldn’t fulfil until this year that now will cost them £2500 or even a sale.

Then again, I’ve been surprised of late by how poor dealer service has been elsewhere, especially in London from prestige marques such as BMW, Mercedes-benz and Porsche. Poor product knowledge, a disinterested attitude, terrible follow-up and, in Porsche’s case, an almost hostile approach. Toyota was almost as bad!

Maybe the agency model will change things, but I’ve found that it’s far better out of London, because dealers actually want to sell you a car. Nick Manzi

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