REMARKETIING: Specification: all mod cons
Date:
21 August 2014
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Author: Jack Carfrae
The residual value expert's view
Rupert Pontin, chief car editor at Glass's, says the best way to view specification is with an eye for popular models in a range that will catch the attention of retail buyers when the cars are sold on: "From new it is important to ensure that the best model within the range is selected. For example, in the Audi range this would be the S-line as this is most popular in the retail market and therefore the trade."
Director of valuations and analysis Richard Parkin adds that it's worth bearing in mind the sort of equipment that will be desirable in future around the time the vehicle is sold: "You need to think about what might be popular in three years' time (if that corresponds to the defleet) so DAB will be conspicuous by its absence (and negatively impact RVs) as the UK intends to switch off analogue radio in the medium-term future.
"Likewise, Bluetooth connectivity is now very popular across all segments due to the ubiquity of smartphones and the rise in the 'internet of things'.
"Air-conditioning is a perfect example of how a once luxury option is now considered a minimum in even the most basic vehicle."
Pontin goes so far as to list the individual items of specification that don't make the grade in RV terms: "Lifestyle paint colours, odd interior colours, expensive alloy wheel options, upgrades to in car entertainment, basic satnav systems, electric seats, premium leather over standard leather seats, seat upgrade options and other small interior and exterior enhancements. These vary depending on the market sector."
Parkin sums up by suggesting that business edition trim levels aimed specifically at fleets aren't all they're cracked up to be either: "Specifically, a lot of business edition cars are sold to hit a certain price/CO2 point to sell into business fleets, although that doesn't necessarily make them m
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