First launched in 1991, CAP Monitor has now been renamed as “CAP Gold Book” and radically upgraded to enhance the accuracy and breadth of its forecasts.

In addition, the company is launching an entirely new product – “CAP Gold Book IQ” – which is also being launched this year and will provide full transparency of CAP forecasts.

The new product launches part of a major investment strategy to benefit customers which was made possible by the acquisition of CAP last year by Montagu Private Equity and includes the appointment of a raft of new experts, ncluding a dedicated Gold Book product manager – Peter Knight – who is leading all development in close collaboration with existing users of CAP forecasts.

The radical upgrade of CAP Monitor to CAP Gold Book also introduces new forecast data sets and more timely delivery.

Among the benefits of Gold Book are:

• More sophisticated and robust forecasting process built around statistical rigour, combined with expert editor opinion
• More variables taken into consideration as part of the valuation model
• New short-term forecasts (under 12 months)
• Live release of new vehicle forecasts avoiding the delays associated with a monthly product
• Clarity on end-to-end forecast methodology and rationale
• Faster reaction to market changes

Meanwhile, Gold Book IQ provides a wide range of new forecast information, including:

• Full access to all forecast evidence and assumption factors, including Black Book trending and model lifecycle data
• Editorial commentary to support each step of the forecasting process
• RV history/tracking reports, without need for complex analysis of multiple data sets
• At-a-glance RV comparisons between same model (petrol/diesel) and competitor baskets
• Clear macro-economics rationale, split by supply/demand factors
• Access to forecasts without seasonal effects
• Facility to “lag” forecasts to take account of vehicle lead-times or other delays

Peter Knight said: ‘The essential qualities of Gold Book and Gold Book IQ can be distilled into three terms – simplicity, certainty and confidence for our customers.

‘CAP Gold Book will be easier to use and incorporate into customers’ own workflows. Multiple enhancements, from process to efficiency, statistical rigour and transparency will drive more timely and reliable information to deliver greater certainty for customers in their forecasting. And by improving on an already strong heritage of independent benchmarking, we believe CAP Gold Book and CAP Gold Book IQ customers will enjoy greater confidence than ever before.

‘We will now be communicating the wealth of detail behind the new Gold Book and Gold Book IQ products to customers and launch dates will be announced in July.’