Steve Fowler

Car and tech journo. Apparently “just a fat Piers Morgan”😳 co-founder @carblah_ EV Editor @independent. Former editor of @autoexpress @autocar @whatcar

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

Bloody hell. @tesla Cybertruck. #Cybertruck

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

Chinese car brands aren’t just shaking up the UK car market on price, tech and product. They’re now leading on customer experience, too.

The latest @carblah_ Customer Experience Index analyses real customer sentiment from almost a quarter of a million reviews across sales, service and ownership touchpoints – and the results show a pretty dramatic shift.

Omoda tops the entire UK market, followed by Chery and Jaecoo, with Leapmotor UK and GWM UK also in the top five. Changan, Geely and BYD are in the top ten, too.

Only one premium brand, Lexus, makes it into the overall top ten.

For years, premium car brands have traded on reputation, heritage and a belief that higher prices automatically come with a better experience. But the data suggests customers are thinking differently. They’re rewarding brands and retailers that make the process clear, fair and easy. They’re valuing simplicity, consistency and trust. And some of the newest names in the market are delivering that better than many long-established players.

The Index also shows how customer expectations are moving fast. Mainstream brands are generally stable and consistent, while luxury and performance brands still deliver the high-touch experience buyers expect. But the biggest story is the rise of the challengers – and the pressure that puts on established OEMs and their retail networks.

Customer experience is delivered by retailers, not just car makers. And some manufacturers may be surprised, and disappointed, by how their networks are representing them. At Carblah, we built the Customer Experience Index to look beyond star ratings and understand what customers are actually experiencing. Using AI-powered analysis of real-world reviews, we can see the sentiment, behaviour and operational signals sitting behind the scores.

And this latest Index tells a clear story: customers reward brands that treat them well. Reputation alone is no longer enough. So congrats to those brands that are satisfying their customers – if you want to know how to stay on top, get in touch. And for those brands that really should be doing better, we can provide insight and advice on how improving customer service will improve the profitability of your business. Drop me a line.

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@ConkleCynt40513 @Matt72Biker @SuzukiPress @WorldCarAwards Suzuki Swift

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

Sometimes a small, affordable car is all you need. I’ve done around 1,000 miles in this Suzuki Swift in a week (London, Liverpool, few days in Kent), had the family on board and it’s been brilliant - fun, too. It has all the kit you need and over 60mpg ✅

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

⚽️Good job Gareth Southgate hasn’t been using this. Might have missed… 💦
#worldcup

[The Independent @Independent]

I tried the Chinese EV chargers that rival petrol filling speeds – and they’re coming to the UK https://t.co/sDF63ikQRg

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@zorronightrider This made me laugh

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

Everyone's having their say on the new Ferrari Luce. BYD's Stella Li told me what she thought about it https://t.co/EhI91MP3Lr

[The Independent @Independent]

In the latest DriveSmart newsletter, @SteveFowler explains how the electric vehicle revolution is forcing rival carmakers like Stellantis, Jaguar Land Rover and Ford into unlikely partnerships to share costs, technology and platforms

https://t.co/NQ8ldQhxkw

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@oakieone @FNEPR @Ferrari It's my job to say what I think. And having thought about it, I love the design, but not for Ferrari. And still disappointed that Jony Ive and Marc Newson, who did so much to democratise tech, have chosen to work with Ferrari.

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

I’ve slept on it and I’m still not sure. Is this the right look for Ferrari? What do you think?
https://t.co/h5iWUBqWlB

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@ListerLawrence @renault_uk Do more of these! You're great on camera - and great choice of music!

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

For years I've been telling car buyers what cars they should buy – now I can tell them where to buy them. I'm excited to reveal the very first @carblah_ index - a car retailer ranking based on real customer reviews; nearly a quarter of a million of them. Congrats to our diamond status winners Howards Motor Group, JCT600, Holdcroft Group and Vantage Motor Group. Full details here https://t.co/JBhrcQeN7c

[The Independent @Independent]

A plug-in hybrid from just £26,995 – and yes, it’s Chinese https://t.co/abA7drQ84Z

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@the1andonlyjno @FIAT_UK @fiat @PerformanceComs Yet…

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

It's official - the Fiat Grande Panda can make you happier. But in scientific tests, I was proven to be the most miserable of everyone who took part – by some margin. Of that I am proud and it makes me happier still 🙁https://t.co/d4uG7HYmOP

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@k9cbw @Jaguar Or Type Zero One - wonder if @jaguar knows?

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

As I predicted 18 months ago (not a hard guess!) the new all-electric Jaguar will be called the Jaguar Type 01. But I can’t look at the pic and not think it looks a bit crooked!

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@ListerLawrence @Jaguar I wondered... I hope it's a delete option for buyers!

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

What an adventurous lot we are.

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

@CamJHB @forduk @KiaUK @JaecooUK As always, its registrations... How many get through to real customers we never know!

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

Best selling cars in the UK for April and so far in 2026. Congrats to @forduk and @KiaUK for top two spots in April and YTD, with @JaecooUK in third place YTD, but slips from first to tenth from March to April - maybe supply issues?

[Steve Fowler @SteveFowler]

One of these is the sort of robot you'll soon find helping out in car showrooms - can you tell which one? https://t.co/ASUr3GpP15