Monday, June 06, 2005
Vauxhall Zafira
VAUXHALL is banking on sharper design and greater versatility to keep its next-generation Zafira range in pole position in the race for compact MPV sales.
Sleeker lines from the latest Astra and added interior space are set to be a recipe for success with corporate buyers despite the flood of recent rivals, believes fleet sales director Maurice Howkins. Car rental uk.
He said: ‘We have been delighted by the success of the Astra and have established that potential customers like the fact that the new Zafira has adopted its bold styling.
‘Making the car bigger all round is another significant reason why we’re confident of maintaining our position in what is becoming a crowded market.’ Car rental uk.
Howkins added: ‘We are convinced this design keeps us at the top of the tree. The appeal of the car has been widened and I’m looking to build on the achievements of its predecessor, even though we’ve decided to take out some of the short-cycle business which has helped fleets account for around 70% of total registrations.’
Vauxhall is understood to be pulling out of several short-cycle deals as it runs out supplies of the current Zafira, which achieved 50,000 registrations in 2004. Car rental uk.
Howkins said: ‘The reasoning behind this is our aim to give a better service to the business sector as well as catering for higher retail demand. And the prediction by CAP of a £700 to £800 uplift in three-year/60,000-mile residual values over the outgoing car confirms our view that the future looks good for this model.’
Longer, wider and featuring increased overhangs at the front and rear, the new car boasts a fresh appearance and looks a higher-grade product.
Though the engineering of its Flex7 seating arrangement remains unchanged, detail modifications make it easier to use and loadspace is up by 120 litres to a van-like 1,820 litres when the two rear rows of seats are folded flat. Car rental uk.
Sleeker lines from the latest Astra and added interior space are set to be a recipe for success with corporate buyers despite the flood of recent rivals, believes fleet sales director Maurice Howkins. Car rental uk.
He said: ‘We have been delighted by the success of the Astra and have established that potential customers like the fact that the new Zafira has adopted its bold styling.
‘Making the car bigger all round is another significant reason why we’re confident of maintaining our position in what is becoming a crowded market.’ Car rental uk.
Howkins added: ‘We are convinced this design keeps us at the top of the tree. The appeal of the car has been widened and I’m looking to build on the achievements of its predecessor, even though we’ve decided to take out some of the short-cycle business which has helped fleets account for around 70% of total registrations.’
Vauxhall is understood to be pulling out of several short-cycle deals as it runs out supplies of the current Zafira, which achieved 50,000 registrations in 2004. Car rental uk.
Howkins said: ‘The reasoning behind this is our aim to give a better service to the business sector as well as catering for higher retail demand. And the prediction by CAP of a £700 to £800 uplift in three-year/60,000-mile residual values over the outgoing car confirms our view that the future looks good for this model.’
Longer, wider and featuring increased overhangs at the front and rear, the new car boasts a fresh appearance and looks a higher-grade product.
Though the engineering of its Flex7 seating arrangement remains unchanged, detail modifications make it easier to use and loadspace is up by 120 litres to a van-like 1,820 litres when the two rear rows of seats are folded flat. Car rental uk.
# posted by Liz Laurie @ 5:49 AM 
