PARKERS.CO.UK AWARDS TOYOTA C-HR NEW CAR OF THE YEAR 2018


Parkers.co.uk, the reviews website that delivers trusted no-nonsense advice for Britain’s car-buying public, has announced the Toyota C-HR as the winner in the Parkers New Car Awards 2018. Te groundbreaking crossover takes the overall prize, but there are also 16 category winners, ranging from the Best First Car to the Best Car for Trill-Seekers. Te Parkers.co.uk team had a tough job choosing the overall winner, with the C-HR strongly challenged by the Skoda Kodiaq, SEAT Ibiza and BMW 5 Series Touring. But the Toyota took the honours based on its involving drive, futuristic yet practical design, low-cost engine options and long five-year warranty. Te Parkers New Car Awards are launched this year, and reflect the views of Britain’s car-buying public. Te winners were chosen based on the buying habits of the website’s 2.9+


million users actively involved in the buying process. Te awards categories have been shaped by constant analysis of Parkers. co.uk traffic. Detailed research shows that 77% of Parkers.co.uk site users consider buying cars from multiple market sectors, destroying the idea of traditional competitors and rivals. Hence the Parkers New Car Awards are


not based on conventional segments. Parkers.co.uk research also found that 78% of UK car buyers don’t like automotive jargon. As a result there are no categories based on industry terms such as SUV, Crossover and Supermini. Instead, the Parkers New Car Awards are based around car-buying lifestages – for instance Best Car for Small Families or Best Seven-Seater – reflecting how


the great British public buy cars to fit their lifestyles. Te winning cars have been tested rigorously by the Parkers.co.uk team, which judged them on a combination of cost per month, value, quality, excellence and fitness for purpose. Te Parkers New Car of the Year 2018 was chosen from the category winners, and is the car the team felt is the most compelling new vehicle you can currently buy. Keith Adams, Parkers.co.uk editor, said: ‘Te Toyota C-HR is a brilliant example of how the most functional of family cars can be spiced up with exciting detail, thoughtful touches and intelligent design to become a true game-changer. Te Parkers.co.uk team loves the way it drives, and so, it seems, do the younger buyers who are now flocking to Toyota dealers, aſter years of passing them by.’ See more on the winning cars at: www.parkers.co.uk/awards


Debate on diesel is misleading for motorists Securing the load: tips from IAM RoadSmart


and unhelpful for industry, says Auto Trader Auto Trader, the UK’s largest marketplace for new and used cars, published its September Market Report, which contains findings that are a stark contrast to some of the news and discussions surrounding the fuel debate in recent months.


the


Comprising the opinions of c.13,000 motorists, as well as data and insight from Auto Trader’s marketplace, which attracts over 55million cross platform visits and hosts an average of 450,000 cars on site each month, Auto Trader’s latest Market Report reveals the full extent of the impact the debate on fuel has had on consumer buying/selling behaviour and retail prices for used cars. In


contrast to reports that


used diesel car prices have fallen in recent months, Auto Trader reveals that average diesel used car


prices


are in fact increasing. Diesel average price increases have been slowing in 2017, but August bucked this trend as increases returned to growth. The average price for a used diesel car rose by 6% (year-on-year) in August, showing an underlying like-for-like price increase of 2%, which had doubled from July. Consumer appetite for used diesel cars hasn’t waned either. Auto Trader’s Market Report reveals that despite experiencing a steady decline which can be attributed to the negative coverage surrounding diesel engines, searches for diesel vehicles increased from May to August this year, and more consumers still search for diesel than any other fuel type (55%).


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The insight obtained from Auto Trader’s marketplace mirrors


transactional


data of the used car market, which was up 4% for diesel from January to June this year1 , following a record-breaking year for used car transactions in 2016. The sustained desirability for diesel cars amongst consumers was also evident with cars sellers. Of c.10,000 motorists that were surveyed whilst advertising their car for sale on Auto Trader during July and August, 47% of diesel owners said they were planning to buy another diesel engine for their next car, and only 10% said that the recent debate on diesel had influenced their decision to sell.


average


Studying over 60,000 vehicles advertised for private sale on Auto Trader during August, the proportion of private diesel adverts rose by only 0.3% year-on-year, suggesting that there is no significant increase in motorists selling their diesel cars and that motorists are generally unmoved by the diesel debate or the Government’s 2040 announcement. However, the Report does highlight one key impact that the diesel debate has had on consumer behaviour, and that is increased confusion and anxiety on what these reported developments mean for motorists and the cars they own. Almost half of car buyers (49%) said that the news on fuel types over the last year had made the car buying process more challenging, and as a result, 35% admit they simply aren’t aware of the current pros and cons that the varied fuel types have to offer.


Tousands of collisions occur every year on the UK’s main roads due to objects falling from vehicles. Tese needless incidents cause serious delays to other road users, as on average they take 20 minutes to deal with each time – oſten stopping traffic for items to be removed. Tis week’s tips offers advice on securing a load to drivers and riders from IAM RoadSmart’s


head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman. • Te heavier the lower, the lighter the higher. Pack the bigger and heavier things on the bottom as a base then put the smaller items around or on top of them • A badly loaded vehicle may affect headlight alignment – adjust them to prevent dazzle. If you regularly have to pack too much in the back of the car why not invest in a good quality roof box designed for your make of car? Te same ‘heavier lower/ lighter higher’ rules apply but ensure you don’t overload the roof box beyond the recommended weight – amend your driving to take account of the higher centre of gravity • Make sure bigger objects fit inside your car. Te Highway Code states that “you must secure your load and it must not stick out dangerously.” If you know you are purchasing a large item why not have it delivered as opposed to endangering your life and others’. Trying to drive with a boot or hatchback open also risks sucking fumes back into the vehicle which can affect your ability to concentrate. Don’t take a chance of being prosecuted for insecure load or unsuitable vehicle • Keep the driving area within the vehicle clear. Drivers have been known to crash because of a loose can under the brake pedal – don’t risk it! As much as it is tempting to overload and make one trip to your destination, stacking objects all over the place can be very dangerous. Make sure you keep areas such as the parcel shelf and footwells clear. Loose items flying around the car operate as distractions and can also injure those in the car Richard said: “Overloaded vehicles can become easily unstable, difficult to steer or less able to stop safely due to uneven weight distribution and the forces needed to stop heavy vehicles. Once your load is secure take a quick test drive so you can feel what has changed. Once you are on the move observation and anticipation are even more important if your car is driving differently from normal. Remember to adjust your headlights if needed.


Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser – Friday 29th September 2017 - 17


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