Maxxd.com – Modified and Performance Car News

  • The Electric Revolution Hits a Speed Bump: Used EV Market Challenges

    The electric vehicle (EV) revolution, once hailed as an unstoppable force, is encountering a significant hurdle: the burgeoning used EV market. While new EV sales continue to climb, albeit with some recent fluctuations, the secondary market is proving to be a complex and, for some, a concerning landscape.  

    Used EV

    Why the Used EV Market Matters:

    A healthy used EV market is crucial for wider EV adoption. It provides a more affordable entry point for consumers hesitant to commit to a brand-new vehicle. It also ensures that the environmental benefits of EVs are maximised, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for new car production. However, several factors are currently creating challenges.  

    The Challenges:

    • Rapid Technological Advancements and Battery Degradation Concerns:
      • EV technology, particularly battery technology, is evolving at a breakneck pace. Newer models boast longer ranges, faster charging, and improved software, making older models feel quickly outdated.  
      • Concerns about battery degradation, while often overblown, still linger in the minds of potential buyers. Uncertainty about the long-term health and performance of used EV batteries is a significant deterrent.  
      • The lack of standardised battery health assessments across manufacturers adds to the confusion.  
    • Depreciation and Pricing Volatility:
      • EVs, especially early models, have experienced rapid depreciation. This can be attributed to the factors mentioned above, as well as fluctuating new EV prices and government incentives.  
      • This depreciation makes it difficult to accurately price used EVs, leading to price volatility and uncertainty for both buyers and sellers.
    • Charging Infrastructure and Range Anxiety:
      • While charging infrastructure is improving, it’s still not as widespread or reliable as traditional gas stations. This can deter potential buyers, especially those living in areas with limited charging options.  
      • Range anxiety, the fear of running out of battery charge, remains a concern, particularly for those considering older EVs with shorter ranges.
    • Software and Over-the-Air Updates:
      • Newer cars have better software, and often recieve over the air updates. Older cars may lack these updates, and therefore lack newer features. This makes older cars less desirable.  
    • Supply and Demand Imbalances:
      • The market is still adjusting to the increased supply of used EVs as leases expire and early adopters upgrade. This, combined with fluctuating demand, creates price instability.

    What’s Being Done?

    • Manufacturers and third-party companies are developing battery health assessment tools to provide greater transparency and confidence to buyers.  
    • Efforts are underway to expand and improve charging infrastructure, addressing range anxiety.  
    • Increased transparency from manufacturers regarding battery warranties and expected lifespans is needed.
    • More standardised software updates would help keep older cars more relevant.

    The Road Ahead:

    The used EV market is still in its early stages. As technology matures, infrastructure improves, and consumer confidence grows, the market is expected to stabilise. However, addressing the current challenges is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of the EV revolution.  

    The used EV market is a critical piece of the puzzle, and its evolution will play a significant role in shaping the future of transportation.

    Look for Used EV parts from suppliers on The MaxxDirectory!

  • Our Land Rover Discovery Project!

    Hey sports fans! Olstar here, from Maxxd! We have been in love with modified cars for decades, from rat look VW’s to tuned Japanese rockets, we have owned and driven them all.

    Now that we are old and grey, we aren’t able to get in and out of low sports cars any more – so many of us have moved over to the modified 4×4 world. Its not just the fact we can easily slide into them without throwing our back out – its also because they are cool as f**k and you can drive over anything.

    They say we never really grow up, we just get bigger toys… This is so true.

    Anyway, presenting our Land Rover Discovery Project;

    Land Rover Discovery Project

    Phase 1 – Use it or Lose it

    When I first purchased the vehicle, I wasnt sure exactly what i was going to do. I was initially swaying towards a full restoration so that it was 100% perfect “from the factory” quality, but that idea soon went out the window when I remembered how much fun it was to drive it off-road and to use the vehicle for what it was intended for.

    Land Rover Discovery Project

    Initially I slammed some cheap Range Rover wheels on that came with some dated all terrains, and a roof rack and roof tent. It meant I could go camping and not worry about getting stuck.

    I purchased some new shocks and springs for it but when I asked my mate to fit them, the inevitable happened and my friend informed me that in order to fit the new suspension, he would have to replace a LOT of parts. It was totally my fault, as I had bought it and let it stand on my driveway for a long time, this is never a good idea with a vehicle – especially an old land rover!

    Phase 2 – Spend a small fortune on bolts, bushes and brakes!

    I want this truck to last a lifetime, and the only way to ensure that was to bite the bullet and replace everything on the truck for uprated new parts. So thats what I did. £100’s and £100’s later, and 2 months of back and forth to my buddies house (thanks Tom!) and the Disco had every suspension and brake part replace, all bushes, bolts, brake disks, brake pipes, callipers, springs and shocks. Also, I treated her to some new wheels and tyres.

    Then, after searching for the perfect front bumper, I found an awesome one that a chap just down the road from me makes in his home workshop – proper cool stuff!

    Land Rover Discovery Project

    Sweet, eh?

    Phase 3 – Underneath

    Next, I am going to tackle rust and rot. I have a friend nearby that has said I can take it down and lift it up on his ramps, so we can assess and price up the welding and repair work that is needed to get it perfect.

    I will update you all when I get to that, in the meantime – happy motoring!

  • The MaxxDirectory Relaunched!

    It brings me great joy to announce the return of the MaxxDirectory!

    The New MaxxDirectory!

    The MaxxDirectory History

    Back in 2006, me and my then business partner were running Maxxd.com as a modified car club. It grew and grew and we started to think more about how we could pivot from a national modified car club, to a legitimate business that would allow us to leave our jobs and pursue our passion for cars!

    My business partner decided that maybe a Yellow Pages style directory for Modified and Performance car companies in the UK would be a good shout. The MaxxDirectory was born!

    It took off immediatly, and as it got higher in Google we were able to sell premium listings and upgrades which got some revenue coming in and this allowed us to scale down our day jobs and start to focus more on our own thing.

    MaxxDirectory Hibernation

    I think a combination of the 2008 recession and growing interests in other areas meant the Maxxd.com brand and the MaxxDirectory started fading away. We moved our efforts onto other business ideas and these domains have sat dormant… until now.

    MaxxDirectory Rebirth

    I was browsing my list of domain names the other day, and realised that I still had the domain name for the MXDIR, so me and the team got to work and made a fresh new website and started adding our favourite modified and performance car part and service businesses to it. It was such a positive experience, reviving a website that was the very start of our business careers.

    If you would like to list your car business, then visit the website and submit a new listing. At the moment we’ve made it 100% free – we may charge in future, but we’ll see what happens 🙂