Vertu Motors has seen pre-tax profits increase by 26.8% to £5.1 million in its interim results for the six months ended August 31, 2012.
Vertu Motors chief executive Robert Forrester highlighted the importance of the automotive retail industry ahead of the September plate change and spoke of how well the industry was performing under pressure as dealerships innovate.
Christina Ewbank, general manager, at Lookers’ Mercedes-Benz of Brighton and Mercedes-Benz of Eastbourne dealerships, believes a focus on small details can help a business edge a little further in front of the competition.
Toyota has recalled 138,000 RAV4, Yaris and Auris models in the UK due to an electric window fault.
The CX-5 has had some time to bed in with the AM team now and has become the go-to car for motorway cruising.
Engine technology is constantly evolving. Cars are going further on less fuel, engines are lasting longer, warranties are covering vehicles for longer periods of time and customer expectations continue to increase.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders believes 50% of the market in the UK could be served by an electric vehicle and the Government believes there could be an uptake of up to 10% of the market by 2020.
A Government think-tank, backed by the Liberal Democrats, is urging road tax changes to charge £50 for each gram of carbon dioxide over 94g/km.
The September-plate change saw new car registrations increase by 8.2% to 359,612 units.
As long as there is over-supply and high paying volume incentives there will be pre-registration.
Wessex Garages managing director Keith Brock is moving banks to increase his dealer group’s working capital after its previous bank was unhelpful with funding for its expansion plans.
The CX-5 has arrived at a time when Mazda’s market share, volumes and dealer satisfaction have been in decline over the last few years.
Dealers can’t do much without product and growing a brand in the UK is challenging even with a clockwork replacement cycle.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is inviting dealers to take part in a free trial of a new management and leadership profiling tool called AMA Trait.
Grants Seat in Essex has reinstated its five year warranty deal in time for the September plate-change.
