Nfda React to Claims Management Company Figures

NFDA NEWS

26 July 2013

Dear Colleague,

The UK economy is ‘on the mend’, said Chancellor George Osborne this week, after figures showed growth of an estimated 0.6% in the three months to June, which brought good news for the automotive industry.

Car sales have increased by a healthy 20% this year, suggesting consumers are beginning to feel more ‘We represent, you confident. I hope this trend is felt by all dealers. Any benefit’ comments or views, please let me know for my future meetings with Government and The Bank of England. Communication is vital to ensure we hear your views, queries and concerns. The ‘dedicated’ NFDA support line - 01788 538 303 is there for your calls. So pick up the phone or email us - [email protected]. Finally, preparations for the NFDA Autumn Ball are in full swing and tickets are selling fast. BOOK NOW! NFDA support line - 01788 538 303 Sue Robinson, Director Tel: 0207 307 3422 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @NFDASueRobinson

IN THIS  NFDA REACT TO CLAIMS MANAGEMENT COMPANY FIGURES ISSUE:  DUPLICATE TAX DISCS FOR NEW REGISTERED VEHICLES  DVLA SERVICE PUBLIC CONSULTATION UPDATE  US NEWS – NADA COMMENT  NFDA MEMBER SUPPORT LINE  NFDA TRIP TO NADA NEW ORLEANS 2014  NFDA AUTUMN BALL 2013: NOW BOOKING!

NFDA REACT TO CLAIMS MANAGEMENT COMPANY FIGURES

The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) acknowledges the news that the number of claims management companies registered to handle personal injury claims has fallen. The sharp decline follows changes to the law around no-win, no-fee deals passed by the Government in 2012 and brought into effect in April 2013. Sue Robinson, NFDA Director commented “The NFDA has lobbied Government for some time to ensure that the activities of CMC’s are monitored to protect both businesses and consumers.

“Whilst it is positive that new measures introduced by Government have gone some way to tackle the ongoing problems with the claims management companies there is still much that needs to be done.

“The NFDA has been concerned for some time at the scale of PPI complaints from claims management companies particularly where little research has been done to establish if the claim is valid.

“The NFDA will continue to lobby Government to review how these complaints are being handled alongside the activities of the claims management companies.”

DUPLICATE TAX DISCS FOR NEW REGISTERED VEHICLES

From the 22nd of July all new vehicle registrations will have their tax disc supplied direct from the main Swansea DVLA head office in line with the closure of local offices.

In the event of a tax disc not arriving in the post after 14 days from registration a duplicate can be obtained from any of the 400 ‘Crown Post Offices’ provided you or your customer has the V5C registration document.

At the NFDA office we have received many requests to clarify the 400 Crown post offices where duplicate discs can be obtained.

Please find a list supplied by the DVLA which identifies these offices. DVLA SERVICE PUBLIC CONSULTATION UPDATE An update on changes introduced following the Transforming DVLA Service public consultation. Since the Secretary of State for Transport announced the findings of the Transforming DVLA Services public consultation in July 2012 all 39 DVLA local offices are scheduled for closure by the end of 2013. Local office mail has since been redirected by the Royal Mail to DVLA Swansea for processing. Buying a new vehicle from a motor trader From today when a motor dealer registers and licenses a new vehicle, DVLA Swansea will print the tax disc and send it directly to the address of the registered keeper, the motor dealer or the fleet operator (depending on the option the dealer chooses when they register the new vehicle). The motor dealer will no longer hold stocks of tax discs on their premises. This means that the motor dealer may not give you the tax disc when you buy a newly registered vehicle. New legislation now allows a vehicle to be used without displaying a tax disc for up to 14 calendar days from the date of first registration Registering a vehicle All V55 first registration application/s, including the appropriate fee and any supporting documents, should now be sent to DVLA Swansea SA99 1BE: - The Vehicle Registration Certificate (V5C), tax disc and any associated documents will arrive in separate envelopes within 14 working days. Note: you may receive your V5C before the tax disc - you will be able to use your vehicle on receipt of either the tax disc or V5C. - if after 14 working days you have not received your tax disc or associated documents please contact DVLA Swansea on 0300 790 6802 Personalised registration applications Since 1 July personalised registration transfers, retention and assignment applications are sent with supporting documents and appropriate fee to DVLA Swansea SA99 1DS. Trade Licensing Services Trade plate applications have been dealt with centrally at DVLA Swansea since 1 May. Post Office® branches As well as being able to tax a vehicle online a range of vehicle licensing services was introduced to 4,600 Post Office® branches across the country on 24 June. Motorists can now: - tax a vehicle when they don't have the Renewal Reminder for a tax disc (V11), V5C or New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) - tax a vehicle if they have a V5C/2 over two months old - change a vehicle's tax class - tax a Heavy Goods Vehicles using the Renewal Reminder for a tax disc (V85/1) - tax a reduced pollution vehicle They can also: - get a duplicate tax disc at 400 Post Office® branches - use a "drop and collect" service for bulk transactions (9 or more applications) To find your nearest vehicle taxing Post Office®, select 'car tax' on the branch finder service at the Post Office® website. Engaging with stakeholders DVLA's Modernising Services Network Project has maintained regular contact with stakeholders and customers through a newsletter. For more information see 'Transforming DVLA services'. Source: DVLA

US NEWS – NADA COMMENT "The U.S. market this year is coming back but the competition is getting harsher. GM and other U.S. carmakers had the biggest tailwind from the strong U.S. economy."

Yoshiaki Kawano, an analyst at IHS Automotive in Tokyo, Bloomberg, July 26

NFDA MEMBER SUPPORT LINE From 1 July, The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) will have a designated business support line for members. To discuss any issues from legal advice, to ways in which we can help support your business, please call 01788 538 303 and speak to a member of the NFDA team.

NFDA TRIP TO NADA NEW ORLEANS 2014

The NFDA is organising a dealer trip to the NADA Convention and Exposition departing 23 January returning 28 January 2014.

Package price will be circa £2500.00 dependent on flights and will include:

 NADA Convention registration  Visit to a large dealership – guided tour around all aspects of the business  Economy return flights from London Heathrow with British Airways (upgrades subject to availability)  Five nights accommodation at the 5 Star Loews Hotel  Airport transfers and all transport provided in New Orleans  Two evening meals at a top quality restaurant  Invitations to NADA private receptions and Italian International reception

For more information and if you are interested in joining the NFDA trip, please contact Louise Woods on 01788 538332 or email [email protected] alternatively, fill out your details below and fax to 01788 538323:

Name ………………………..………………….

Company ……………………………………………………………………..

Email ………………..……………………………………..

Tel: ………………………………………………………………….

NFDA AUTUMN BALL 2013: NOW BOOKING! This year’s NFDA Autumn ball will take place at the 5 star Grove Resort, Chandler’s Cross, Hertfordshire, on Saturday 5 October 2013. NFDA Autumn Ball 2013 Saturday 5 October The Grove, Chandler’s Cross Hertfordshire Commenting on the upcoming event Sue Robinson, NFDA Director said: “‘The NFDA Autumn Ball gives you the opportunity to network with fellow franchised dealers and enjoy an evening of fine dining and great entertainment.

“This year BBC TV Presenter, Jeremy Vine will appear as the key guest speaker and back by popular demand, Mark Durden- Smith will compere the evening.

“ We will also have The Chicago Blues Brothers performing for us on what we know will be an enjoyable and successful occasion for all our members and colleagues. We hope to see you there”. For more information, or to make a booking please call Keely Scanlan on 0207 580 9122 or email at [email protected]