forecourt the latest from dealers around the UK
Stock remains low, but things are improving
It’s becoming a monthly message. Secondhand motorhome stock at the dealers is still pretty low, although there are signs things are on the up.
Production of new vehicles is only just starting to ramp up to meet demand. Folk who’ve placed orders may not have been given delivery dates, so will be reluctant to hand in any part-exchanges (although no doubt there are discussions taking place with dealers still keen to get pre-owned stock on their forecourts any way they can).
Meanwhile, plenty of dealers are listing details of incoming stock (that is, it’s due with them in the near future) on their websites.
As one retailer put it to me: “We want stock like everyone; the good news is, we have heaps on forward order and have stuff in the pipeline. Customers must register their interest and get in quick to avoid disappointment as it’s being snapped up fast! We don’t have much stock on the ground, but we have lots in the order book.”
VW California is a sought-after used buy
With Volkswagen announcing an increase of over a third in sales of its Transporter-based California in the first six months of this year compared to last (yes, Covid played a part), there are already signs of correspondingly high demand for used versions.
Production of the latest Ocean, Coast and Beach models at the company’s purpose-built California plant in Germany has been increased to 130 a day to cope with growing demand throughout Europe as well as here in the UK.
Of course, all this has had a knock-on effect for pre-owned examples. Always a popular used purchase, asking prices for secondhand Calis have absolutely rocketed over the past year and more.
Examples? One dealer I know had a 2010 version on its books for a short period, before selling it for £42,995. At the time of writing, another has a 2014 model priced at £49,995.
One private seller is offering a 2014 example, admittedly an all-wheel drive 4motion version, at a whopping £50,750 (without apparent irony, it’s described as ‘stunning’).
For perspective, I paid £43,000 for my 2013 T5-based California SE some five years ago. It has a higher overall specification than all three of the above (180bhp engine and DSG auto transmission, for starters), although admittedly a much higher mileage. And I’d be the first to admit the overall condition is far from the perfect order I bought it in. But no, it’s most definitely not for sale!
Emm-Bee on the move? If only
Spare a thought for the Emm-Bee Motorhomes dealership, currently based on the outskirts of Bury. It’s been eyeing up new premises since well before the pandemic took hold.
Back at the end of 2018, managing director Phil Barker said he was awaiting full planning approval “that should arrive in the next four weeks”.
His latest update? “We have purchased the site. However, due to historical land contamination we have had to jump through numerous hoops to say the least, with the relevant environmental bodies, even the archaeological society, believe it or not! All within the term of two national lockdowns and a global pandemic.” I guess this is (still) just a question of watch this space…