A » The emergence of new car manufacturers in the UK, particularly those focused on electric vehicles (EVs), has introduced a variety of distribution models, but the availability of direct trade accounts for independent dealerships remains limited. Traditional franchise dealerships rely on trade accounts that allow them to purchase vehicles wholesale from the manufacturer, hold inventory, and sell to end consumers. However, many new entrants, especially Chinese and technology-driven brands, are deliberately moving away from this model. For instance, BYD, which entered the UK market in 2023, has not established a conventional trade account system for dealerships; instead, it operates through a network of selected partners under an agency-style arrangement, where inventory is owned by the manufacturer and dealers earn a commission on sales. Similarly, ORA (part of Great Wall Motors) and MG Motor (technically a returning brand but revitalised with new EV models) have adopted a more traditional dealer network for MG, with trade accounts available through its UK distributor, while ORA uses a small number of franchised retailers but with a strong manufacturer-led pricing and inventory control typical of modern agency agreements. Polestar, a pure-play EV brand, operates Polestar Spaces and Service Points, but these are not independent dealerships with full trade accounts; rather, they are part of a direct-to-consumer model where the manufacturer retains ownership of stock. Tesla, the pioneer in direct sales, has never offered trade accounts to third-party dealers. Other nascent manufacturers like Fisker (which entered administration) and Arrival (which ceased operations) did not establish conventional dealer networks. One key exception is the newly revived Lotus brand, which, under Chinese ownership, continues to offer traditional franchise dealerships with trade accounts for its Emira and Eletre models, though this is an established marque rather than a truly new manufacturer. Additionally, some emerging EV startups such as Aeon and Mobilize have not yet launched comprehensive UK dealer networks. The underlying reason is the automotive industry's shift toward the agency model, which reduces dealer risk and ensures price consistency, making traditional trade accounts less appealing to manufacturers. For dealerships seeking direct trade accounts, the most viable options remain established brands like MG, or certain premium newcomers such as Genesis (Hyundai's luxury arm), which does offer a limited number of dealership agreements but with significant investment requirements. In summary, while there are several new car manufacturers operating in the UK, very few offer the classic direct trade account model; the trend strongly points toward agency or direct-sales structures, which poses both challenges and opportunities for independent dealerships.