Crystal celebrates surge in retail sales

Crystal Motor Group has enjoyed a successful start to 2009 after reporting an increase in sales of 44 per cent in January compared to the same time last year.

Despite the tough market conditions brought on by the recession, the group sold 197 new cars in January over three sites in Lincoln, Boston and Grantham compared to 137 in 2008.

And in December, when levels of business within the car trade traditionally show a seasonal decline, the group bucked the trend with one site reporting a sales increase of 100 per cent compared to December 2007.

General Sales Manager at Crystal Nissan and Renault in Boston Dan Short said: “December is a quiet month for car retailers generally, but we responded to the current market demands and offered our clients some fantastic deals including the Nissan Murano, which was £30,295, reduced to just £16,295.

“These sorts of offers have proved incredibly popular especially since the drop in interest rates. Rather than leaving their savings in the bank earning very low returns savers are opting to bag themselves a bargain.

“However these deals get snapped up fairly quickly so buyers need to take advantage while they can.”

Managing Director of the Crystal Motor Group Mike Baldry added: “This surge in group retail sales figures, particularly towards the end of 2008, was rather unexpected as the industry traditionally experiences a seasonal decline in showroom traffic.

“However a combination of interest rates close to record lows, VAT at 15 per cent, 0 per cent finance deals on a selection of used cars and falling residuals means that there’s never been a better time to buy a car.

“This can be a difficult message to communicate, particularly when it comes to new cars. However the low-emission, high-fuel-efficient models which are coming on to the market could save buyers hundreds of pounds a year in running costs.

“The Nissan Note and Renault Clio diesel models both have low emissions and fall in road tax band B, with an annual charge of £35, which will drop to just £20 in April 2009. They also offer good fuel economy, achieving in excess of 50mpg combined.

“On top of this, nationally new car transaction prices are up to 10 per cent lower than a year ago, making new cars more affordable.”