Skip advert
Advertisement

'I believe premium cars will soon grab a third of the new car market’

Mike Rutherford talks about the history and rise of the premium-brand cars in the UK car market

It used to be that premium cars were unaffordable and inaccessible to motorists on low to medium incomes (that’s most of  ’em).

Not any longer. True, such vehicles aren’t cheap. But many ooze value for money and are wise investments thanks to comparatively strong resale values. No wonder more than one in four factory-fresh cars sold in Britain today are full-blown premium-brand models. Regardless of how posh or modest your street is, you will see such motors in it.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Best luxury cars on sale

That’s led some to suggest that premium products are becoming as common as muck, shedding their cachet and exclusivity. But their makers counter by explaining that rocketing production volumes result in favourable economies of scale, which in turn lead to more affordable (not cheap) list prices – minus discounts – for consumers.

Most important of all, millions of kids who grew up merely dreaming of possessing premium-brand cars can now, for not unreasonable prices, possess them. Why would a son or daughter settle for the modest automotive marque their dad used to have, when they can own the comparatively glamorous brand their favourite musician, actor or footballer has? They wouldn’t.

The delicious reality is that if you’re in full-time employment, over 25 and have a decent no-claims bonus, you’ll probably find it easier than you imagined to jump on the premium bandwagon. If you’ve around £50 a week to spend on wheels, you’re on course to lease a factory-fresh premium car – albeit one that’s small and with a moderate spec. Despite registrations being down last year, around 666,000 of us acquired unused premium cars in 2017.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Traditionally, the list of top 10 selling cars in Britain has been dominated by accessible, cheap ’n’ cheerful superminis and hatches like the Fiesta and Astra. But the Mercedes A-Class has taken up what looks like permanent residence in the top 10. As has the C-Class. The 3 Series is threatening to join them.

Put another way, Merc and BMW premium mid-size saloons are now comfortably outselling non-premium Ford Mondeos and Vauxhall Insignias.  

The right premium car with a healthy discount could end up costing less in buying/standing/running/depreciation costs than the wrong mainstream model. That’s part of the reason why I believe premium cars will soon grab a third of the new car market, and possibly even go on to steal 50 per cent of it.

Given the chance, most people would rather own a TAG than a Timex watch... a Bosch not a Bush kitchen appliance... an Audi, BMW, Jag, Land Rover, Lexus or Merc over pretty much any non-premium car out there. C`an you blame ’em?

Do you think affordable monthly payments and social media exposure are driving premium car sales up, or do you have a different theory? Have your say below.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Jaguar boss: we didn’t mean to alienate our owners
Jaguar advert

Jaguar boss: we didn’t mean to alienate our owners

Here’s the inside story of how an auto company broke the internet – and the car that’s coming next
News
5 Mar 2025
You can now order a Dacia Bigster: mild and full hybrid powertrains available from £25k
Dacia Bigster - front

You can now order a Dacia Bigster: mild and full hybrid powertrains available from £25k

The Bigster sits above the Duster as the largest car Dacia makes
News
6 Mar 2025
Council targets car owners for parking on their own driveway
Polestar 2 connected to a wallbox charger on a driveway

Council targets car owners for parking on their own driveway

London council demands huge fees from drivers who want to ‘cross the kerb illegally’
News
4 Mar 2025