Nissan shelves electric Qashqai
A REPORT from news agency Reuters says Nissan is quietly canning its electric Qashqai originally planned for production at its Sunderland plant.
The Qashqai is a significant car for the Japanese OEM, delivering 45% of the company’s European sales in 2025, as well as on the used market where the model was the best selling used car in February.
While it looks likely the Qashqai will continue with alternative powertrains, development of the electric version is on hold.
The Qashqai EV was due to join the new Nissan Leaf – whose end Q1 on sale date continues to slide – along with an electric version of the Juke.
Nissan is in conversation with Chery about utilising one of its Sunderland lines to manufacture in the UK.
Satty Nanuwa appointed Head of Sales at Repairify
SATTY Nanuwa has been appointed Head of Sales at automotive diagnostics, ADAS solutions, and remote services company Repairify.
The company says Nanuwa’s promotion strengthens its expansion plans for its remote and mobile service offering. She joined the business in March 2025 as National Sales and Partnerships Manager.
Repairify said it would build on its established diagnostic and ADAS technology portfolio, expanding its remote diagnostics and mobile calibration services, enabling customers to access expert diagnostic and calibration support wherever it is needed.
Used car buyers less brand loyal
ACCORDING to a survey by Startline, used car buyers are becoming less brand loyal with a greater focus on value rather than brand.
The dealer survey found almost three quarters (74%) believed car buyers were less brand loyal, while 52% believed price and value were becoming more important. What’s more, 32% believed cars from new entrants appeared a better buy as consumers started to find established OEMs too expensive.
Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline Motor Finance, said: “There has been a huge amount of disruption in the new car market during the last couple of years with the arrival of new entrants, mostly from China, achieving a substantial market share very quickly.
“We wanted to take a look at whether this openness to new brands was also true in the used sector and dealers agree that there has been an erosion in the importance of buying a used car from an established brand.
“It appears that if consumers perceive that factors such as price and value are present, they are more than happy to buy from brands that have very short track records in the UK. This indicates the future prospects for new entrants are considerable.”
Broker News Newsletter 7 July 2026
Catch up on the latest leasing broker news in the 7 July 2026 Broker News newsletter
BCF Wessex expands Gensen salary sacrifice with used EVs
BCF Wessex has expanded its Gensen Salary Sacrifice platform to support used EVs enabling leasing brokers to offer employees a wider choice
Growing number of UK CV and trailer fleets are using solar panels
European research shows how fleet operators could improve vehicle energy management and battery health with vehicle solar panels
Marco Capozzoli promoted to Group Fleet Broker Director at Vertu Motors
Marco Capozzoli has been appointed Group Fleet Broker Director at Vertu Motors, as it seeks to strengthen its fleet position
Leasing Options launches its own training academy
Leasing Options has launched the Leasing Options Training Academy to support the company’s continued growth
Craig Mailey to head Cox Automotive in Europe
Connected services provider Cox Automotive has appointed Craig Mailey as President of its European operations
Ralph Morton is the leading journalist in the leasing broker sector and editor of Broker News, the website which provides information and news for BVRLA-registered leasing brokers. He also writes extensively on the fleet and leasing market in both the UK and Europe.
