Implication of WLTP on D5 Prices - Bargains to be had!

[Markr]

There are lots of deals out there at the moment, not primarily around diesel, but around any car that has not yet been homologised as part of the WLTP process. Any cars they have in stock that fail the process need to be registered before 1st Sep or they can’t sell them. Some manufacturers are telling me they may have to scrap them - VW for example has deleted the Golf GTI, so once dealer and pipeline stock is exhausted (and registered before 1st Sep) that is it. I suspect it will reappear when either a new model or facelift launch, as will be down to economics around rework costs vs longevity, as is the case with some BMW 3 series, with new model just around the corner.

We have stopped ordering company cars at the moment, as we were finding that CO2 data was changing between quote and order form, to the extent that is was pushing a drivers BIK up two or three bands - Ford and VW Group were especially bad for this. BMW and Volvo are fully sorted, but given our engine size and effective rental restrictions, that only left the 116d SE Business as an option for 30% of our drivers, hence me pulling the list.

So at present it is a buyers market - dealers need to hit their numbers for volume bonuses still, manufacturers/importers need to hit their numbers, and any stock/pipeline cars not yet homologised have the risk of being scrapped if not registered before 1st Sep.

Grab the deals whilst they are there, as once 1st Sep arrives and all manufacturers need to state WLTP figures as well as NED, all the companies currently holding off ordering, will open the floodgates, and the manufacturers are telling me to expect 16-26 week lead times, which were previously 8-14.

I am taking the opportunity to change my car during this time too, but sadly not to a D5 - it is not different enough to my D4 PI and I don’t like the touch dash, so my A8 ownership will come to an end shortly, hence me shifting all my Audi bits and bobs. I am moving into a new 740d xDrive M Sport and can’t wait!

Thanks
Mark