More regulation on its way

It was good to see some leasing brokers attending the BVRLA Leasing Outlook Conference last week. It was an excellent event for those that made the effort. What was clear was the sheer positivity about the sector from the association’s members – see Five things we learnt at the BVRLA Industry Outlook Conference 2023.

However, BVRLA CEO Gerry Keaney (above) warned in his introduction to the event that we will likely see more regulation in the future – Consumer Duty was just the beginning, he told delegates. We should also be prepared for the sudden introduction of fiscal measures that might be introduced by a government trying to stay in power. And what, possibly, a new government might look like and wish to achieve. So a positive outlook, but potential roadblocks ahead.

More cracks in the agency model

Agency is certainly having difficult birth pangs under Mercedes. The company has pre-registered a bunch of EQCs which are now leaking out on the market at deeply discounted prices to new. Perhaps it’s time for Mercedes to rethink its agency approach and include leasing brokers as part of its route to market.

Ralph Morton, editor