Simon Harris

82 now 🙋‍♂️

Residual Values & the Battle for Brand Credibility in the UK Car Market | Ennis & Co Al Clarke interviews Simon Harris on how residual values influence brand credibility and success in the competitive UK automotive market.

I was very happy to offer my car market insight in this interview with Ennis & Co, on the importance of keeping residual values in focus for new brands entering the UK.

Four weeks since my previous post here. I think I’ve learned from M*sk that my life doesn’t depend on social media.

Bsky has been brought to you today by the letters X and J, and by the number 12. Last pic by @andrewbrady.bsky.social.

#caturday

Worst rapture ever. 😒

‘RaptureTok’ goes viral after prophecy claims world will end soon | The Express Tribune A prophecy from South African pastor Joshua Mhlakela has ignited a viral TikTok movement about the end of times.

Rapture is tomorrow. Finally, some good news.

From an era when excess came as standard. #JaguarXJ12

It should be sitting in the apps screen in any case.

Thank you so much, Vincent. 🙏You’re clearly an example of talent shining through! All good material for the memoir . . .

Thanks. I’m not panicking yet . . .

Thanks, Andrew. Let’s see what happens.

Thank you, Alan. The XJ12 doesn’t run on fresh air!

After four years in a role I cared deeply about, I’ve reached an unexpected full stop. It’s hard to step away from something you’ve built, but I’ve always believed that every ending carries the seed of a beginning. I don’t yet know what the next chapter looks like, but I’m ready to find out.

My Mini notified me about a “surprise” to be found in the apps section.

I was looking at one particular EV that doesn’t sell as well as many others its size, and it’s possible to choose from 69 variants. It’s too many.

Simplicity sells. Consistency reassures.

A well-structured, easy-to-understand range not only makes life easier for dealers and used buyers, it also protects brand perception and strengthens long-term value.

5. Stocking risk for dealers: Unusual configurations may sit on forecourts longer, lowering willingness to bid strongly at trade-in.

Residual value forecasting relies on confidence. Confidence that a used buyer will understand what they’re getting, and that the market knows how to price it.

4. Spec inconsistency over time: Mid-cycle changes can mean two cars with the same badge from different years have very different equipment, complicating valuations. Even more, if a pack or grade is modified during the cycle.

3. Loss of a clear hierarchy: If the grade structure isn’t obvious (such as no clear equivalent to S, SE and Sport), flagship variants lose their aspirational pull, and the whole range’s RV suffers.

1. Diluted demand per variant: Each configuration sells in such small numbers that dealers have limited sales history to guide pricing.
2. Buyer hesitation: Especially in emerging segments like EVs, complexity can overwhelm first-time used buyers, making them default to simpler alternatives.

Too much choice is one of them.

When a range offers dozens of possible combinations, such as multiple battery capacities, on-board charger types, grade overlaps, and shifting equipment packs can create:

Many factors that affect residual value are beyond a manufacturer’s control: interest rates, used market demand, macroeconomics, and so on. But some risks sit squarely in the product team’s hands.

But there’s a tipping point, and I’m seeing more examples lately where complexity starts to work against both new sales and residual values, and could be particularly problematic for EVs.

When choice leads to confusion: how range complexity can undermine residual values.

We all know variety can help a model appeal to more customers. Equipment grades, powertrain choices, and option packs can capture a wider audience, and this can also translate to stronger appeal as a used car.

Wondered about posting a version of a LinkedIn rant here. What’s the etiquette?

I guessed that because of the quotes. I just wonder how many people will realise they’re probably not getting much of a benefit.

In most cases it will be used to obscure informal discounts already available. OEMs will just be grateful that proportion of the discount is no longer coming out of their own pockets.

I am on “8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown” tonight on Channel 4 at 9pm. Tune in using UHF frequency 471.25 MHz.
I’m in Dictionary Corner with Susie Dent, which according the dictionary definition, is not actually in a ‘corner’.

YouTube video by Quagsnake Give Us A Clue - The Original Titles (featuring Grange Hill theme tune)

Can confirm no sausage.