Second-hand sales are...
Second-hand sales are down compared to last year. But used dealers needn’t panic. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the first nine months of the year saw 1,998 fewer registrations than the same period in 2005. Yet business failures among small dealers are growing, as car supermarkets take an increasing share of sales.
With rivals such as...
With rivals such as the Peugeot 206 CC and Vauxhall"s Tigra now well established, Renault is keen to join the class. Sister firm Nissan is already a step ahead, and will launch the Micra C+C drop-top at this September"s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Chopping the roof off has boosted the new Clio"s styling, with a sharp rising waistline and short wheelbase. At the rear, designers will incorporate the large rear deck common to all folding-hard top models to house the solid roof sections. Inside, the new CC will offer space for four passengers, but don"t expect enough legroom for adults in the back.
Despite Vauxhall"s decision to opt for only two seats in the Tigra, bosses at Renault and Nissan still think buyers value the versatility provided by extra chairs in the rear, so both the Clio and Micra folding hard-tops will be four-seaters. Renault"s drop-top supermini will join the range alongside the larger M탩gane CC, and is likely to be offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines.
The Clio hatchback will be officially unveiled for the first time at Frankfurt, where it"s thought a high-performance, mid-engined Renaultsport V6 variant will also go on display.
Three and five-door models of the new supermini will go on sale in the UK in October, but official details of the CC version are still under wraps. Buyers should expect to see the drop-top at one of Europe"s major motor shows before the end of next year.