BMW MD argues against outright car ownership

The changing way consumers use vehicles could impact the popularity of car ownership, a representative from BMW has argued.

Tim Abbott, UK managing director at the manufacturer, told CarDealer.com that the future of the sector looks set to be "more about mobility than outright purchase", as people might like to drive one type of car during the week and another at the weekend.

It could be that motorists consider opting for business car hire for their commuting needs, while using another type of vehicle during their leisure time.

Abbott explained that his company has taken this change on board and is currently having to revisit the way it sells cars, particularly in relation to electric vehicles. He said: "I think we need to fit around what the customer wants more, not what we think they want."

According to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk, researchers at the RAC Foundation recently looked at the issue of car ownership and predicted that if current rates continue, then there will be more than four million extra cars on the roads in the UK by 2035.

The concern is that Britain's transport network cannot handle this many extra motors without proper investment in the nation's roads, but the Department for Transport cannot commit to all the necessary congestion-easing measures due to financial restrictions.