Hello hatchback, bye-bye bargain

HATCHBACKS: practical and popular in the Mondeo sector; but not with premium cars where it’s always been a sober suited saloon or sporting estate. Not any more. Audi is launching the A5 Sportback (right), promising elegance with convenience. And BMW the 5 Series Gran Tourismo – the enhanced boot space and luxury interior appealing to small business chauffeur firms. The GT will be at Drive 09 (see panel left). But if new cars aren’t your thing, and you save money buying used, then beware changes: prices are rising and choice reducing. But there is a silver lining – lower monthly contract hire. So is it time to change your business car funding method?

Ralph Morton - editor

HOT TOPIC

Wave goodbye to used car bargains
Getting good-value two-year old business cars is going to get harder and more costly. But is contract hire the answer?

ALSO IN THE NEWS

The Golf repackaged for £10k
Smaller, sharper, cheaper – VW’s ‘mini Golf’

ROAD TESTS

Yeti: the go-anywhere estate car
Abominable name, great car

A Mondeo that goes for miles and miles and…
New green ECOnetic hates fuel stations

ADVICE CENTRE

Get a clone, look a clown
How to avoid falling for a fake

Should I lease or contract hire?
Best ways to run business cars

Are you new to Business Car Manager?
To put you in the picture, Business Car Manager - the business motoring magazine - is an invaluable source of information for small businesses, the self-employed and business car drivers. It carries news on company car tax changes, legislation updates, new business car news and advice on how to run and fund your business cars. Ralph Morton – editor.

Business Car Manager Ltd, 95 Station Road, Hampton, Middx TW12 2BD. Registered as a company in England and Wales 5581943; a member of the Federation of Small Businesses; a member of Merton Chamber of Commerce; and registered with the Information Commissioner's Office.