Swindon buys more sports cars in 2020 than last year

Used car retailer CarShop has revealed the results of its latest consumer buying trends survey.

The firm, whose empire includes a branch in Swindon's Penny Lane, says sales data relating to the 1 June - 31 August period has been collected.

CarShop was closed between March and April because of the pandemic. 

Used sports car purchases during these three months across England and Wales increased by 82 percent.

The South West was one of the top three regions where used sports cars sold the best, following behind Yorkshire and Humber and the North West. 

The most popular model of sports car in Swindon was the Mercedes-Benz SLK - which was also the nation’s favourite. 

The number of used 4x4 cars bought on a national scale has similarly seen a year-on-year rise, increasing by 17 percent. 

The South West also ranked third among regions where used 4x4s sold best, having experienced a 29 percent increase on last year’s figures. 

Swindon alone, however, did not follow suit as 4x4 sales figures were almost exactly the same in 2020 as they were in 2019. The most popular model of 4x4 in the South West was the Ford Kuga. 

Customers in Swindon, the firm says, also remained careful with their cash, as average spend on used sports cars dropped by 6 percent compared to last year, while average spend on used 4x4s stayed the same.

Steven Bryant, Head of Business at CarShop Swindon, said: “At a time when many families were investing in 4x4s to suit their British staycation needs, it is surprising that Swindon didn’t follow suit. 

"Perhaps, this is due to how the Wiltshire town has the beautiful countryside on its doorstep without needing to travel miles.

“Instead, they seem to be choosing to zip around the Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs in their new convertible.”

Nigel Hurley, CEO of CarShop, said: “The bounce-back for the used car marketplace in terms of the British public’s confidence has been hugely encouraging. 

"As other forms of transportation, such as airlines, suffer in this ‘new normal’, it seems vehicle sales are performing to nearly the same level that they were last year - if not better.”