BSM drops Vauxhall

mrk

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mrk

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UK driving school dumps Vauxhall
A BSM-branded Fiat 500
The car preferences of young women are thought to have driven the deal

BSM, the UK's biggest driving school, is to replace its basic vehicle for learners - the Vauxhall Corsa - after signing a deal with Fiat.

The Italian firm will provide BSM with 14,000 cars over four years - mainly its Fiat 500.

The move is a blow to Vauxhall because, according to BSM, about 70% of learners buy the same car model as they pass their test in.

This marketing benefit means Fiat is providing the cars at a discount.

Learner drivers wishing to purchase a Fiat after passing their test will be offered £500 off any model - on top of any dealer offer.

Royal approval

A report said that the Corsa was no longer appealing to BSM's core customer - women in their late teens and early 20s - who wanted to drive a more fashionable car.

Fiat's cars had a "modern outlook and appeal" which would attract learner drivers said BSM managing director Abu Shafi.

The company has about 3,000 driving instructors and teaches more than 130,000 learners to drive each year.

Formerly known as British School of Motoring, it boasts the Queen among its former pupils.

Andrew Humberstone, managing director of Fiat Group Automobiles UK, said the agreement put it "right where we want to be".
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8172233.stm

Hmm, never knew the 70% was that high :S

I guess it explains all the Corsa cars out there :p
 
fiat-500-abarth-essesse-official-img_3.jpg


With the proper wheels and upgrade kit they look ace!
 
Well hopefully BSM were propping up Vauxhall with all their Corsas so fingers crossed Vauxhall will go under? :p
 
I do like the sight of a normal 500, it's pleasing to the eyes unlike a Corsa :S

It's more cute too so chances of a fitter bird driving one = more awesomer :p
 
A report said that the Corsa was no longer appealing to BSM's core customer - women in their late teens and early 20s - who wanted to drive a more fashionable car.

Mainstream fashion whores. WTF is wrong with these people? Who give a flying **** how they look in their learner car? They will still look stupid no matter what car they're driving. They'll be moaning about the color of the fiat 500 next saying they want it in bright pink.
 
MadMossy said:
Dont think you will see many learners in an Abarth, 130 bhp turbo is a little much for a learner to handle.
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The Abarth was posted because it's the best looking 500 and I like it but talking to your other point, perhaps that mindset is where much of todays instructing goes wrong...
 
RobRX-7 said:
A report said that the Corsa was no longer appealing to BSM's core customer - women in their late teens and early 20s - who wanted to drive a more fashionable car.

Mainstream fashion whores. WTF is wrong with these people? Who give a flying **** how they look in their learner car? They will still look stupid no matter what car they're driving. They'll be moaning about the color of the fiat 500 next saying they want it in bright pink.
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It's just good business.
 
RobRX-7 said:
A report said that the Corsa was no longer appealing to BSM's core customer - women in their late teens and early 20s - who wanted to drive a more fashionable car.

Mainstream fashion whores. WTF is wrong with these people? Who give a flying **** how they look in their learner car? They will still look stupid no matter what car they're driving. They'll be moaning about the color of the fiat 500 next saying they want it in bright pink.
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The most popular driving school in my area used to be Ians School of Motoring (Corsas but now seems to have changed to Clios) but now the most popular is Club Mini due to their fleet of pretty Minis :rolleyes:
 
DB_SamX said:
Off track slightly but how does that affect these 2 cars in terms of their manufacture in the UK, if at all?
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Neither are made in the UK - the Corsa is made in Spain and Germany; the 500 in Poland

Had a 500 diesel as a hire car in Italy last week and quite liked it - definitely better than a Corsa IMO
 
I was going to say I thought the interior of the Fiat 500 was horrible but then I remembered that it was being compared to a Corsa... yeah.
 
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