Fastest Selling Cars - Hybrid popularity grows

The growing appeal of hybrid power is reflected by the presence of three hybrids in the top 10 of Glass’s league of fastest selling used cars for September. They are led by Toyota’s Prius, which holds the top spot for the second month in a row. In third place is the Honda Insight, while Glass’s believes that the Lexus RX has reached its position at number eight largely through sales of the hybrid version.

Glass’s league of fastest selling used cars – best performing

Manufacturer	Model	Average selling time (days)
Toyota	Prius	24.6
Land Rover	Evoque	26.3
Honda	Insight	26.8
Vauxhall	Meriva	27.1
Hyundai	i10	28.8
Audi	A1	30.2
Vauxhall	Zafira	31.1
Lexus	RX	31.2
Volkswagen	Sharan	31.3
Mazda	CX-5	31.3

Glass’s Head of Valuations, Rupert Pontin, says: “It will be interesting to see whether this situation continues over the coming months. The success of the Prius certainly highlights the value-for-money status of this model and reiterates the importance of low running costs to second-hand car buyers.”

Rupert notes that the buying patterns of cost-conscious families, out in force this September, has placed two family-friendly Vauxhall MPVs in the top 10. He feels that the Zafira and Meriva now represent excellent value for money. He is also pleased to see the Mazda CX-5, which he describes as “competent and often underrated”, in 10^th place. “Retail buyers have at last seen the appeal of this crossover SUV but generally speaking these are in short supply.”

Buyers spent an average of £16,511 on this month’s top 10 fastest selling used cars, and just £10,717 on the 10 slowest sellers.

For the first time in many months, Merdedes-Benz had no products in the bottom 10 sellers, and in fact none in the bottom 20. Rupert Pontin wonders if that could be indicative of the current feel-good factor for this brand.

Glass’s league of fastest selling used cars – worst performing

Manufacturer	Model	Average selling time (days)
Renault	Kangoo	61.6
Rover	45	65.2
Mitsubishi	Mirage	65.6
Nissan	Leaf	65.9
Skoda	Rapid Spaceback	67.3
MINI	Mini Paceman	68.1
Subaru	Outback	68.3
Seat	Toledo	71.3
Subaru	Legacy	72.0
Renault	Scenic	83.8

Three upper medium models languish in the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th places from bottom, namely the Subaru Legacy, Seat Toledo and Subaru Outback. “This perhaps signifies the apathy from the retail buyer for this sector of the market,” Rupert suggests. One big surprise among the slowest sellers is Renault’s Kangoo, which has historically proven to be desirable due to its spacious design and individual appearance coupled with a competitive price.

The slowest seller of all is the Renault Scenic, which has been gradually moving towards this position. Rupert concludes: “Despite great interior space, a high driving position and potentially economical engines, poor reliability and build quality have driven this model to the bottom spot.”

By: Unknown On 16:59

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All-new Mazda 2 revealed for 2015

What is it?- This is the new Mazda 2, a supermini aiming to take the fight to the class-leading Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo.

There is a huge range of choice in this segment, so manufacturers need to do something special to stand out, and the new 2 seems to show plenty of early promise.

It certainly looks quite nice- Indeed. The Mazda2 adopts the ‘Kodo’ design language of other models in the range and – save for a couple of small detail changes – it looks almost identical to the striking Hazumi concept first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The car has grown in length by 140mm relative to its predecessor, to 4,060mm, making it 91mm longer than the Ford Fiesta. The wheelbase is now 2,570mm. with Mazda claiming the 2 now offers ‘top-class rear legroom.’

Meanwhile, the interior features an all-new design, which appears to be a massive leap forward in both appearance and quality over the previous model. A large multimedia screen sits on top of the dash, above a simple and elegant swathe of trim which sweeps from one side of the cabin to the other.

Beneath that sits three rotary dials for the heating and ventilation. It certainly looks very smart and even a cut above some rivals’ cabins. The Mazda2 offers the first head-up display (which projects information such as speed onto the windscreen) in the class, which not only looks cool, but aims to increase safety by keeping the driver’s eyes more focused on the road ahead. It also features blind spot monitoring – a first for Mazda in Europe.

Anything new under the skin?- Mazda’s focus on increasing efficiency by reducing weight is everywhere in the new 2. Referred to by Mazda as Skyactiv technology, the 2 features Skyactiv engines, Skyactiv gearboxes, Skyactiv bodyshell and chassis, and Skyactiv cupholders. We may have made that last one up, but you get the point: everything is designed to work together to be more efficient.

All of this weight saving effort has had a positive effect, though. Through the use of lightweight high strength steel, the lightest Mazda 2 is 95kg lighter than an entry level Fiesta, despite being a larger car.

This weight saving contributes to what Mazda claims is a fine ride and handling balance, promising, “significantly advanced comfort and confidence-inspiring stability that is unusual for a subcompact” As well as improving the driving experience, Mazda believe that the major efficiency push throughout the range will benefit both performance and economy, too.

So has it worked?- Well it certainly appears to show promise, if the figures are to be believed. Four engine options are available; a 1.5-litre petrol ranging from 74 to 114hp, and a 1.5-litre diesel with 104hp. The diesel is a brand new unit, and it delivers an claimed 69.2mpg, with tiny CO2 emissions that result in free road tax for private buyers. The petrol engines are fairly frugal, offering economy figures between 48 and 52.3mpg.

Meanwhile, CO2 emissions fro the petrols range between 105 and 115g/km, which means buyers can expect to pay £20 or £30 for annual road tax. The two least powerful petrols are equipped with five-speed manual gearboxes, while the top petrol and diesel have a six-speeder. There is also a six-speed automatic available as an option.

How much will it cost me?- UK prices have yet to be announced, and Mazda say that the car will go on sale early in 2015.

By: Unknown On 17:00

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