Article written by Mike Thompson, COO of Leasing Options and BVRLA Committee Member
The 2025 BVRLA Leasing Broker Conference was another fantastic day of discussion, insight and collaboration across our industry. With such a broad range of speakers and topics — from the Bank of England’s economic outlook to CAP HPI’s data-driven perspective, the event once again highlighted how dynamic and fast-moving the automotive sector continues to be.
The session from the Bank of England was particularly insightful, offering a clear understanding of the economic factors shaping the vehicle leasing landscape in 2025 and beyond. The analysis on inflation, interest rates and consumer confidence provided plenty for our industry to consider as we navigate an evolving market and plan for sustainable growth.
It was also great to hear from Mike Bennett at CAP HPI, part of Solera Vehicle Solutions, who showcased the power of data in bringing together the entire automotive ecosystem. Solera’s work to connect OEMs, fleets, finance houses, retailers and insurers through shared intelligence is a strong example of how collaboration and transparency can drive better decision-making across the industry.
One of the most thought-provoking sections of the day explored the rise of emerging Chinese brands and their rapid impact on the UK new car market. The speed at which brands such as Chery, BYD, Omoda, Jaecoo and MG have achieved meaningful market share is remarkable; reaching milestones in a fraction of the time it once took more established manufacturers.
Their success is underpinned by a combination of factors that together create an incredibly competitive proposition. Vertical integration allows these brands to control every stage of production, reducing reliance on external suppliers and keeping costs lean. Their manufacturing efficiency is also impressive — while European factories typically operate on an 8-hour shift cycle, many Chinese plants run three shifts across 24 hours, enabling continuous production, faster innovation, and accelerated technology development.
Coupled with significant investment, production capacity, and a strong desire to make the UK a key market, supported by low comparative tariffs and an open trade environment — these brands are rapidly establishing themselves as credible, long-term players. What’s especially exciting is how they are making advanced technology both affordable and accessible, without compromising on build quality or consumer experience.
The day was filled with valuable insights, lively debate, and genuine collaboration between industry leaders. Events like this remind us how vital it is to keep sharing ideas and working together to shape the future of mobility.
Well done to the BVRLA team, speakers and sponsors for putting together such an engaging and thought-provoking conference. It’s clear that the drive to make technology-led, consumer-friendly mobility more accessible than ever is well underway and the future looks bright for our industry.
