William Jacks, No 35 in the AM100, has posted operating profits up 114 per cent to £1.4m on turnover up six per cent to £94.4m for the first six months of the year.
Forget one or two-year termination notices - franchised dealers could get their notice from carmakers just days before the new block exemption regulations are introduced next year.
Ken Thorne Group, the South Wales based car empire, has gone in to voluntary liquidation. Administrators from Deloitte and Touche have been called in, ending speculation about the £50m turnover firm's future.
Automotive retailers are steering clear of a source of lucrative business because of worries about image.
Automotive paint supplier Standox has unveiled a three-point plan to help refinishers build on their strengths and find growth in a shrinking market.
General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), the carmaker's financial services division, is looking for organic and acquisitive growth following its purchase of Shell Auto Finance's business portfolio.
Nationwide Accident Repair Services is determined to retain the bulk of its bodyshop network, despite closing its Harrow operation and disposing of its Bristol site to a management buy-out.
Fiat Auto is looking increasingly vulnerable in its bid to remain independent. The Italian manufacturer is rumoured to be preparing another round of production cuts and redundancies in its battle to return to profitability, and to stave off a takeover by General Motors.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says next month's British Motor Show will feature 10 world model debuts and 45 British launches - even though several big-name manufacturers will not be attending.
Nissan is to boost its share of the rapidly expanding diesel market with the development of a diesel communications strategy.
Several professional organisations make it their business to put market values on cars. But how can automotive retailers tell who is right and who is wrong? Tom Madden, BCA'S director, customer affairs, looks for an answer.<p>
Vehicle Remarketing Services, the new operation backed by auctions giant Manheim, is looking to fill a gap in the market for a business offering logistics and refurbishment from a single site.
Another consortium of investors is ready to make a bid to buy Jensen, the beleaguered UK sportscar manufacturer after an unnamed Home Counties millionaire failed to come up with the cash.
Delays in delivery of replacement components are costing bodyshops thousands of pounds in courtesy car bills - often way beyond the cost of repairs.
Bristol-based Smart Repairs UK plans to set up a national network after it was taken over by a rapidly expanding investment group, Clifton Group Holdings.
Reg Vardy expects to make a number of acquisitions over the new few months on the back of a “very strong” balance sheet. Speaking at the group's AGM last week, chairman Sir Peter Vardy said several dealership acquisitions had been agreed with manufacturer partners.
Moves by European taxation commissioner Frits Bolkestein to harmonise car prices across Europe by scrapping registration taxes in favour of road and fuel taxes have been thrown into doubt after a similar scheme to align beer and wine duties was shelved.
There are many conflicting reports around the trade of how new car sales have stacked up for September. If some manufacturers are to be believed then sales are on track and everything is rosy.
Values of this year's 'must have' urban wheels, the retro-styled but thoroughly modern Mini, are so buoyant that sellers are still making a killing even more than a year on.
ABS - the UK's largest network of independent bodyshops - has negotiated a national courtesy car supply deal for its 210 principal and secondary members.
Until mid-December Bosch will throw in an interior windscreen wipe with each Super Plus wiper blade part number ordered by factors and distributors, enabling them to increase incentives to garage and retail customers.
DaimlerChrysler has named Mike Belk as its new aftersales director. He succeeds Wade Hubbard as head of UK aftermarket operations - Hubbard is leaving the UK next week to return to the US after two years with the company.
Parts Plus, Ford's national network of parts whosesalers for the independent trade, has handed out hundreds of prizes - including four Kas - after is latest sales campaign.
Kia has announced “substantial revisions” to the Rio just 12 months after the car went on sale in the UK.
Federal-Mogul, the global parts supplier, is poised to rebuild its business as it gears up to present the US courts with its new financial strategy in November.
The Government has unveiled tough new measures to tackle car crime by tightening vehicle registration and licensing regulations.
Britain's accident repair industry has given a tepid reaction to a new representative body that aims to create “a climate for change which will enable members to increase their profitability to realistic levels”.
Automotive analyst MFBI claims dealers are losing vital market share to large used car outlets. Used car superstores accounted for seven per cent of all second hand vehicles sold last year while franchised dealers' share dipped to 25 per cent, according to its latest report.
Chrysler's wacky but practical PT Cruiser introduced hotrod styling to the suburban family. With prices starting to soften now there are more about in the general trade, and used buyers are looking at it as a funkier alternative to a compact MPV or family hatchback.
Rally success gave the Subaru Impreza bags of credibility, but buyers have been slow to accept the quirky looks of the current models launched in late 2000.
