Northampton customers splashing out on sports cars to distract themselves from coronavirus

A Northampton used car retailer believes their customers are splashing out on sports cars to distract themselves from the coronavirus pandemic.

CarShop's sales of sports cars increased by 44 per cent from June 1 to August 31 compared to the previous year - with the Mercedes-Benz E Class the most popular choice.

Customers at the Ravens Way dealership also increased their budgets by six per cent this year, with 2019’s average spend being £11,745 and 2020’s average spend coming to £12,056.

CarShop reported that the number of used 4x4 cars bought on a national scale has also seen a year-on-year increase, rising by 17 per cent.

Sales figures of this car type in the East Midlands experienced only a very small change between 2019 and 2020, but the most popular 4x4 model in Northampton was the Range Rover Evoque.

Chris Delaney, head of business at CarShop Northampton, said: “The surge of sports car sales in Northampton doesn’t surprise me - in these distressing times, people are looking for something positive, fun and exciting to distract them from the current climate.

"Holidays are on pause, weddings and large family gatherings are postponed, so why wouldn’t you treat yourself?”

The figures come from CarShop's latest consumer buying trends survey which has collected data following the firm's closure between March and April due to Covid-19.

The data shows that the number of used sports cars bought during these three months across England and Wales has skyrocketed compared to the same period last year - with a staggering increase of 82 per cent.

While the East Midlands as a whole did not see quite the same surge in the number of sports cars bought compared to other regions, for example, where the East Midlands saw a 17 per cent increase on last year’s figures, the North West experienced a rise of 185 per cent.

Chief executive Nigel Hurley said: “The bounce-back for the used car marketplace in terms of the British public’s confidence has been hugely encouraging.

"As other forms of transportation, such as airlines, suffer in this ‘new normal’, it seems vehicle sales are performing to nearly the same level that they were last year - if not, better.”