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Curtis Hutchinson
Confidence was the watchword at the Geneva Motor Show. As the first major car show of the year, and always the best, Geneva is the showcase for the European car market so new product was in abundance from the cute, but deceptively significant, Renault Twingo and sensibly evolved Audi TT to the outrageously unobtainable 610PS Lamborghini Huracán.
Aside from the bright lights and dancing girls (yes they still exist at motor shows) was a growing confidence among carmaker bosses from minor players such as SsangYong and Subaru to mid-market champions Kia and right up to market leader Ford. Motor Trader spoke to them all and found them optimistic about the March plate-change and beyond.
Adding to the confidence are early signs that last year’s momentum is carrying into 2014 as the February new car market achieved the 24th consecutive month of growth. With fleet sales still flat, the retail market, significantly fuelled by PCPs, continues to drive volumes with a welcome 12.1% rise in the first two months of trading this year.
Another reason for confidence.