Articles by Tim Rose - Page 33

Full year 2023 new car sales data shows Volkswagen dominated the UK’s new car market in 2023, ending the year with 162,087 registrations and market share of 8.52%, almost a whole percentage point ahead of nearest rival Ford’s 7.57%.

With so much going on in 2023 it's impossible to say for certain what one event had the most impact on the UK's franchised networks. Yet our analytics has enabled us to identify the top 15 AM-online articles that were most-read by our core audience of franchised motor retailers.

Vantage Motor Group, the privately-owned AM100 dealer group that has 9 Toyota dealerships and 2 Lexus showrooms in Yorkshire and Lancashire, plus single Kia and Skoda dealerships, is set to start a new chapter in its history.

Marketing expert Matt Brown joins Birchwood from Allen Ford

The months ahead will bring a "hyper competitive environment" with fresh entrants to the new car market, existing OEMs battling to convince retail buyers about EVs, and a close eye on cost bases, according to outspoken industry executive Dale Wyatt as the Suzuki GB boss shared his expectations for 2024 on LinkedIn.

The Financial Conduct Authority has given the go-ahead for US-based Lithia Motor's takeover of the motor retail part of Pendragon, including its Pendragon Finance and Insurance Services Limited business.

The European Union and the UK have finalised a three year extension to trade rules, avoiding the imposition of a 10% tariff on new electric vehicles.

The average value of a used car at 3yrs/60k has fallen again in December, but Cap HPI said seasonal norms are returning.

China's car manufacturing giant Chery is preparing to launch its second UK new car brand just months after sales begin of its launch brand, Omoda.

In a new phase of its 'Dealer or No Dealer' marketing campaign, aftermarket firm Halfords claims motorists are wrongly told to use franchised dealerships to maintain their warranty.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has handed a £2.5 million fine to vehicle salvage firm Copart for ignoring the regulator's orders.

The company importing the Rexton, Tivoli and Korando SUVs, SsangYong Motor UK, has rebranded to KGM Motors UK in line with the Korean vehicle manufacturer's global relaunch as it seeks to move on from its troubled recent history.

The pressure on UK motor retailers to identify vulnerable customers ahead of the motor finance sales process has increased since the arrival of the latest regulatory regime, and Jonathan Barrett, chief executive of Comentis, shares his thoughts on what this means for regulated firms.

A plan to roll out agency contracts has been put on pause by the new head of Stellantis UK to allow her time to rebuild the confidence and trust of its franchisees.

The JCB Group has taken over the Marshall Volkswagen dealership at Tunbridge Wells, taking its representation of the German car brand to three locations.