Weekly Dealer Car Enquiries: April 25, 2021

In this series, which we hope to bring to you on a regular basis, we’ll be detailing some of the key numbers and trends that we’re seeing in terms of dealer connections made through our site.

As this data is considered somewhat representative of broader industry activity, and serves as one of the more insightful leading indicators for potential car sales, we hope it will fulfil a few purposes for our broad audience. First, to document not just how we’re performing as business, but how dealers and the wider market stand to perform, so you don’t have to wait til that next set of official sales data.

Without further ado, here’s what happened over the last week.

Total new car enquiries

In the week ending Sunday, April 25, there were 2,205 new car enquiries made through the PriceMyCar platform. Compared with the seven-day period prior, this was a reduction of 109 queries, equivalent to 4.7% fewer dealer connections.

Given the public holiday yesterday, which restricted morning trade, the result was actually in line with expectations. In certain states the public holiday has also extended to today, so next week’s results may also show some restraint as a result as well.

Nonetheless, the biggest barrier at the moment rather than economic circumstances is actually the supply chain constraints that have affected a number of auto-makers. With key components like rubber and semiconductors in short supply across the industry, showrooms are short of stock, and a number of new car buyers have instead turned to the second-hand market, which has led to significant price appreciation there.

New car interest by brand

New car enquiries relating to Mazda vehicles have gone from strength to strength over the last month, with yet more volume pouring through on the back of the brand’s large array of value-packed SUVs. 

The story is not too dissimilar for Kia, which despite being down on record figures earlier this year, is again trending in the right direction and entrenching its position in second place as the most sought-after car brand across the PriceMyCar community.

Last week’s impressive uptick in terms of buying interest in premium names came unstuck during the last seven days. Interest in BMW vehicles dropped off the sharpest of the bunch, while Audi also tumbled. Surprisingly, at the budget end of the market, the same trend followed with LDV and MG, illustrating week-to-week fluctuations are not restricted to dearer makes and models.

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