Peugeot is looking ahead to a strong 2005 after a tough 12 months last year when sales dipped 9.26%.
The largest Bentley dealership in Europe is under construction on the north-east outskirts of the city of Leicester.
A pilot scheme designed to provide an extra revenue source by disposing of low value part-exchanges is currently being rolled out to dealers nationally.
Used prestige car retailer Fortnums has doubled the capacity of its Staines dealership to around 150 vehicles by buying and redeveloping a neighbouring site.
Mystery shopping will be started this year at Toyota GB’s network of business centres as part of a programme to raise standards.
Mazda will take online orders for the new MX-5 roadster months ahead of its dealer launch in 2007 following the success of a similar initiative on the RX-8 last year.
Yes Car Credit, a top-five used car retailer in 2003, says it has struggled to break even in the last half of 2004.
Braintree, Essex Kia dealer Westdrive has come second in a global proficiency test set by the Korean car manufacturer.
Caffyns’ shares have been the subject of intense activity recently, sparking speculation that another company is trying to build a shareholding before making an outright bid for the Eastbourne-based AM100 dealer group.
Several leading figures in the automotive industry have been recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Reg Vardy blames the decline in its operating margins on the impact of interest rate rises on retail confidence, which is leading buyers to delay their next purchase.
Ford is predicting its share of the diesel market will rise over the next few years after announcing a £169m investment programme in its Dagenham diesel plant.
Balmer Lane Garages has completed phase two of its expansion programme on the South Coast.
Honda UK has taken an innovative step in raising brand awareness by marketing its products directly to children.
Lotus has managed to reduce the number of job losses it had proposed for this year.
A new vehicle rental company aimed at the “neglected” corporate and government sectors has been launched by former MG Rover senior executive John Granby.
Kent-based Mazda and Honda specialist Drake & Fletcher has taken advantage of an expired lease on its old premises in Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells, to build a 20,000sq ft dual franchised dealership on a two-acre site a few hundred yards away
Caterham Cars has been bought by its management team.
<img src=../_images/articles/RadioAid.gif align=left ON Monday the UK’s commercial radio stations come together for the first time to create UK Radio Aid, a unique national commercial radio station initiative specifically aimed at raising money for the children affected by the Asian Tsunami.
Overall staff turnover in the retail motor sector is improving according to the 2005 edition of the Sewells/Retail Motor Industry Federation Retail Motor Industry Pay Guide.
Motor retailers that manage to submit their insurance regulation applications to the Financial Services Authority (FSA) before Midnight tonight will be able to continue trading legally during processing, according to the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).
Priory Motor Group has closed one MG Rover outlet and is considering the future of its two others as part of a franchise review.
Rates of used car depreciation continued to increase in the final three months of 2004, according to Glass’s Used Car Market Index.
The number of used cars sold in western Europe totalled close to 22 million in the first 9 months of 2004, 1 million up on those over the same period in 2003.
Blue Bell BMW and Mini in Crewe has created a new role of local business consultant in its corporate sales department.
Global automotive executives have called for a crackdown on counterfeit motor vehicles and automotive parts.
José Antonio Garvía has been appointed as the new market general manager of Fiat Auto UK, and takes up his responsibilities from January 31.
Dealers are being advised that all calls to the General Insurance Standards Council will be re-directed to the Financial Services Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service, as of today.
Who are tomorrow’s leaders – the people who will drive forward and shape the automotive industry, and which companies are nuturing that talent?
Every manager will, at some point in their career, come to The Big Decision. There’s usually an easy choice – maintain the status quo – and a hard one, which involves radical, often risky, changes. Strong characters take the difficult route. Ask Roger Putnam.
