I have resisted replying to this thread until I had some real data rather than just anecdotal comment.
I cannot comment on new car sales but there is a fair bit of sentiment around about not to keep chasing the latest and greatest and to get off the PCP treadmill, which may have a short term impact but we humans have short memories and incentives and scrappage schemes and such may well tempt some into new cars they otherwise thought not possible. This is not a given though as demand may outstrip supply as manufacturers ramp back up. There, having said I would not comment I just did
But we don't know.
Now to my area, specifically 'Modern Classics' - in the last two weeks we have sold 5 cars and had many disappointed callers late to the party on those cars. Not only that, each and every one of them have paid FULL asking price. We have had enquiries from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, Singapore and USA including of course England. All eager to engage in whatever way they were personally comfortable. This is real, see here for shameless plug :
Classic Modern Cars. With an efficient, friendly and professional approach, your modern classic car storage or purchase will be as effortless as the drive.
classicmoderncars.co.uk
Our biggest challenge now is finding stock that fits our profile and policy and is still affordable. I think
@dickygrace was saying much the same throughout this period. For sure we could have sold a couple more cars if buyers not yet comfortable withe remote dealings were willing/able to travel. They will do so as soon as they can and they will buy I am sure.
My point is, those of you waiting for a post-COVID crash where you will sail in and offer half the asking price to a dealer who will rip your arm off and thank you profusely may be waiting a long time. As usual it will be about supply and demand and for sure there will be some bargains (but that may cost you more in the long run if poor examples) and some corrections on cars that were over-hyped anyway. But in general, really good cars from trusted sources will be in demand it seems even if we are still in the not sure this is the new normal before the real new normal phase.