Auto Trader relaxes payments

Auto Trader has introduced a series of measures in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement it said: “The UK car retailing market is facing unprecedented levels of uncertainty. As the UK’s leading automotive marketplace, we have chosen to act in what we believe is a responsible way to protect our customers, who are key stakeholders in our business. Today, we will be contacting our customers to let them know we are doing two things immediately to support them. First, we will not charge our retailer customers for their advertising packages during April. Second, we will allow our customers to defer payment of their March costs by 30 days.

“We have chosen this approach not in response to immediate pressures on our business, but rather to continue to support an industry that we have supported for the past 40 years, and one which has supported us.”

Nathan Coe, Auto Trader Group Plc’s chief executive officer, said: “In these unprecedented times, we have made this decision because it is the right thing to do for our industry, for our customers, and for our business.

“It remains important for retailers to advertise their stock online as people are still buying cars and if they can’t see those cars, it will be even harder for retailers to make sales.

“It is equally important that we continue to prioritise the well-being and safety of our people, and we are taking all necessary action to ensure that they are receiving the support they need to continue to serve our customers.”