AM has launched a search for dealerships or dealer groups with an aftersales story to tell.
A promotion in which Halfords Autocentres marketed MoT tests as "now only £29.95 RRP £54.85" has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority.
Andrew Hooker is the future vehicles engineer at Thatcham Research, the motor insurers’ automotive safety, security and repair research centre. He believes this increase in vehicle complexity carries a danger that repair technicians will not be able to keep up with the skills required to return vehicles to OEM safety and appearance levels. He writes here exclusively for AM:
The Independent Garage Association (IGA), the trade association representing the independence garage sector across the UK, is to launch its own ‘Car Repair Plan’ to help consumers spread the cost of repair work their vehicles need.
MoT tests for diesel cars and lorries are to be tightened up to ensure vehicles have a critical exhaust filter if one had originally been fitted as standard, Roads Minister Robert Goodwill has announced.
Motor industry and associated bodies have responded to the news of yesterday's Autumn Statement, including its plans to drop the VED disc.
The paper VED disc is to be abolished, removing an administrative inconvenience for franchised dealers and millions of motorists.
Two of the UK’s largest dealer groups, Marshall Motor Group and the Ridgeway Group, have entered into new three-year agreements with Castrol Professional.
Bridgestone is developing puncture proof air free tyres.
Saab’s network of 84 authorised repairers are now offering fixed price repairs to attract more customers for aftersales work.
Honda dealers continue to set the pace when it comes to servicing retention, according to the latest Castrol Professional Car Servicing & Repair Trend Tracker report.
Volvo has launched its winter tyre marketing campaign with some videos designed to illustrate the difference between summer and winter tyres.
UK Seat dealers have now booked over £1 million in online service bookings since the system went live in August 2012.
Almost two thirds (65%) of UK motorists admit they choose their oil based on price alone, according to a new survey from Mobil 1.
New dealer websites will offer online buy-and-book facilities for tyre changes
Toyota GB has opened an official eBay store, giving Toyota owners in the UK a fast and simple way to buy genuine parts and accessories for their cars.
Vauxhall reports that more customers are spreading the cost of servicing by signing up for its Vauxhall Service Plans.
How valeting can help you engage customers and open new revenue streams
A Blackburn car dealership’s aftersales department has been recognised as the Lancashire team of the year at a regional business awards ceremony.
Skoda is urging customers to take advantage of a seven-point Winter Health Check for just £30 at any of its 134 UK retailers.
Technical information provider Autodata held a recent event at Brands Hatch to demonstrate a new internet-based solution covering more than 80 vehicle manufacturers.
Volkswagen is recalling 2.6 million cars worldwide due to a range of potential problems, which include lights and leaking fuel lines on certain models, and an issue affecting its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Franchised dealers need an online aftersales strategy that differentiates them from the independents and High Street fast-fit chains to encourage customers to remain in the network, says Neil Addley, managing director of Trusted Dealers.
Motor Codes, the consumer garage scheme, has partnered with TootCompare to offer people searching for an MoT or servicing, details of Motor Codes' members and their feedback ratings.
MoT testing facilities and longer warranties could help stem the flow of customer migration from the franchised network to the independent sector, says Trend Tracker director Chris Oakham.
