Car and Van News

The average values of used vans rose in April for the third consecutive month.

Used car values, however, are continuing to slide, down for four months running.

The UK’s new van market jumped by almost half in April, compensating for declining truck registrations to boost the CV sector.

The 43 per cent rise in van registrations, to 20,751 units, represented year-to-date growth of 17.6 per cent.

Registrations of new cars surged by almost 15 per cent in April – the strongest climb in 14 months of solid growth.

The result, up 14.8 per cent to 163,357 units and the best April performance since 2008, brought the figures for the first four months of 2013 to 768,555 units – up 8.9 per cent.

A slight glimmer of hope has emerged in Europe’s depressed car market after sales in Germany rose slightly in April.

The figures, up by 3.8 per cent according to the country’s transport authority, reversed a steep slump of 17 per cent in March.

Skoda intends to add a second SUV to its line-up, larger than the Yeti, as part of its bid to increase global sales by 50 per cent over the next few years.

The big sister to the Yeti (pictured) is seen as a vital cog to the brand’s ambitious expansion plans.

BMW is promising buyers more choice than ever before in its 3 Series range.

By the time the range is complete it will boast more body styles and a greater diversity of trim packages than seen before, and the availability of four-wheel drive for the first time.

Mazda expects its UK market to grow by a remarkable 20 per cent by the end of the year.

According to the brand’s UK boss Jeremy Thomson the sales target is bold, but entirely realistic.