Demand for used Saabs in the wholesale market is recovering despite the fact that the carmaker has gone into administration.
Online auction company CD Auction Group says ex-fleet Saab saloons and estates that have been sold since the start of the year have attracted brisk bidding and fetched well above their current ‘book’ values, according to Roger Woodward, CD Auction Group managing director.
“Saab has always had a loyal following but many dealers were wary of buying cars for stock, especially when there was uncertainty about the future of the company,” explains Woodward.
“Bizarrely, now it seems likely they are going out of business, the cars are achieving a rarity value. Traders are worried there won’t be many around.
“Any cars we do get are selling and they are achieving good money.”
Woodward says the market for used Saabs is likely to get a further boost in the next few weeks when warmer weather arrives and the ‘cabriolet season’ takes off.
“The Saab 9-3 Cabrio is still one of the best looking four-seat soft top cars on the market and is always a popular spring-time purchase,” he adds.
Elsewhere, CD Auction Group reports the market as ‘patchy’ though trade did pick up markedly in the last couple of weeks of January, as would be expected.
“Last year ended strongly but the first couple of weeks of 2012 were slow,” admits Woodward. “Having said that, dealers are prepared to bid and pay top value for some specific cars (and vans) that they want. It’s very hard to predict.
“Certainly the first few months of the year are going to be marked by a lack of supply which is simply a factor of the falling new car market three and four years ago. That will keep values high because the right vehicles will be in demand. I think it could be May or June before they start to ease back.”
CD Auction Group holds three online auctions a week with branded sales for clients such as BMW, BT Fleet, Inchcape Fleet Solutions and Venson.
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