Grey imports show true sticking power, says Swinton
Swinton Specialist motor insurance experiences 18% increase in enquiries for non-standard motors in the last 12 months Yesterday’s boy racers are growing up, but instead of ditching their beloved Japanese imports, like the ever-popular Nissan Skyline, and opting for something a little more refined, they’re sticking to their beloved motors. The UK’s largest high street motor insurance broker, Swinton, is launching Swinton Specialist, a dedicated team to handle the upsurge in customers seeking quotes for non-standard motor insurance. Swinton believe that this boom is due to the reluctance of drivers over 30 to give up their modified cars. In the last 12 months Swinton has seen a 18% hike in demand for specialist motor insurance quotes and the new division will handle enquiries for all modified, high performance, imported and other non-standard motors. Grey imports – cars not available in this country – are remaining massively popular, with exclusive Japanese motors more desirable than ever. Far from being a passing phase in the performance car market, as speculated by some, following the release of films such as the Fast and the Furious, their popularity has soared. The car’s high specification and excellent value given the strong UK pound is coupled with the trend for short-term car ownership and low corrosive driving conditions in Japan – leaving them in prime condition for UK owners. Neil Ackinclose, head of Swinton Specialist, commented: "Performance cars have never been more popular in the UK and we are launching Swinton Specialist to provide motor insurance for this growing market. The internet has become THE market place for car sales, and this has opened up the international car market to UK buyers." But it’s not just yesterdays boy racers who are snapping-up Japanese imports according to Swinton, who have seen a resurgence of men and women in their 20s making the most of low interest rates to buy specialist cars. "We continue to see growing interest from the younger end of the market, where customers have high disposable incomes and credit is easily obtainable," says Swinton’s Neil Ackinclose. "Japanese Grey imports lend themselves excellently to this market, especially when prices can start for as little as £2k! "We also believe that high house prices have barred many twenty-somethings from getting on the property ladder, meaning their money is freed-up to spend on nice cars. Importing is now extremely popular as it offers excellent value for stylish, individual machines." Swinton has also seen a steady increase in the number of modified and high performance cars on their books. Swinton Specialist searches through specialist schemes from top motor insurers and offers low premiums to owners of modified and performance cars – with great deals on modified cars, performance cars, grey imports, and penalty pointed drivers. Value-for-money premiums are also available for cars with limited mileage, for owners belong to car clubs, as well as those with good security and tracking devices. Swinton’s Top-10 grey imports: 1. Nissan Skyline (Japan) 2. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (Japan) 3. Subaru Impreza (Japan) 4. Toyota Supra (Japan) 5. Mazda RX7 (Japan) 6. Mazda MX5 Eunos (Japan) 7. Honda Integra (Japan) 8. Mitsubishi Pajero (Japan) 9. Cadillac EXT (USA) 10. Ford Mustang (USA)
