\u201cIf liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.\u201d \u2014 George Orwell said that in the last century.<\/p>\n
Our business found out it still applies today, when we were able, through the media, to explain the actual effects of a complicated policy \u2013 the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate- to the public.<\/p>\n
The policy had started to result in the rationing of new petrol vehicles, well before the well-publicised ban comes into effect. Governments of both colours supported environmental rules that favour electric vehicles, doing so because of the eco-zeitgeist rather than practical reality. It was difficult to push back against this without being wrongly labelled a climate change sceptic.<\/p>\n
Thanks to your help and responsible reporting, the arguments for a more pragmatic approach were heard. A free press was able to challenge the status quo in a way that helped UK businesses and consumers alike. We might ask you to take a look again next year as the ZEV Mandate is for 33% of new vehicles to be electric, I very much doubt manufacturers will reach the target and fines and rationing will be the result.<\/p>\n
Our firm doesn\u2019t want to be involved in controversy, but the motor sector needs your attention again.<\/p>\n
Car ownership is subject to tax at every point: VAT on purchase price, registration fees, luxury car tax on modest cars, vehicle excise duty, company car tax, VAT on fuel and then fuel duty on top, road tolls and parking charges, if that is not enough the Government seems to be considering a new tax. Let\u2019s call it what it is; a Motability tax, or a Blue Badge Tax.<\/p>\n
Instead of tackling the real problem of who qualifies for the subsidised cars for disabled people, we are hearing about an extraordinary policy to levy VAT on the vehicles \u2013 a Blue Badge tax which could increase what the car costs by an average of \u00a36500! This would force disabled people to choose the cheapest models or abandon them altogether. Some disabled people need more complicated cars, such as estates or larger hatchbacks. The idea has industry consequences too; it would increase the cost of the cars, which would reduce the numbers ordered, which would reduce the numbers manufactured in the UK costing jobs, and also leading to a reduction in cars entering the second-hand market later, thus increasing the cost of used cars in three years time. I know a free press will give this crazy idea the scrutiny it needs to expose it for what it is; a tax raising gimmick which avoids tough welfare reform.<\/p>\n
We are the largest quoted business in the UK automotive dealership sector. We sell well over 200,000 vehicles a year, employ 7500 people and have a turnover of nearly \u00a35billion. Vertu Motors plc are proud to be based in the North East of England, where we were founded 19 years ago. We built this firm on different brands, such as Bristol Street Motors, and trade solely under the Vertu banner.<\/p>\n
We sell almost every brand of cars, vans and motorcycles, and when the economy changes or Governments change the rules, we adapt.<\/p>\n
Your sector has gone through change too; we look upon the UK press and admire the fact that you are enduring change but your commitment to a sense of purpose survives. We are pleased to support your work at the front line of freedom and to help you reward the best of the best. Your work is important. We want it to continue and applaud all the winners today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cIf liberty means anything at all it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.\u201d \u2014 George Orwell said that in the last century. Our business found out it still applies today, when we were able, through the media, to explain the actual effects of a complicated policy \u2013 the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1284,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n