The European Garage Equipment Association says it has received little satisfaction from the majority of car makers following a circular letter and two reminders it sent them following its talks with the EC's competition authorities last July.
Two Harley-Davidson dealerships in Chesterfield and Nottingham have launched a new no-appointment service operation.
'Robust sales are putting the UK in danger of becoming the 'treasure island' of Europe again for carmakers – this time not because prices are higher than the mainland, but because markets with a strong manufacturing base, such as Germany and France, are underperforming.'
For years, insurers have focused on offering drivers the cheapest premiums as a way of winning business. But a new report suggests they should really be offering better services. A survey of 300 drivers across the UK found that just 33% think price is the most important factor when buying motor insurance while 25% are unhappy with the services they receive. Their biggest complaint is about courtesy cars – usually the lack of one.
Turnover at the UK and international vehicle distributor Inchcape plc increased by 9.6% to £3,855.2m, for 2003. Operating profit before goodwill amortisation and exceptional items rose strongly, by 20.1% in the year, from £117.2m in 2002 to £140.8m in 2003. The resultant operating margins strengthened from 3.3% in 2002 to 3.7% in 2003.
The Financial Times today suggested Hyundai will announced at Geneva today that it plans to build its €1.1bn ($1.3bn) European car plant in Slovakia. The choice had been narrowed to Slovakia vs. Poland, but reports last week said it would be delayed to mid-March.
Porsche announced the precautionary recall of 22,158 of its Cayenne SUV to fix a brake spring that could wear an electrical cable. The recall affects about two-thirds of production to date.
Chrysler Group in the UK has launched an industry-first scheme to provide customers with a Chrysler or Jeep courtesy car comparable with their own vehicle after breakdowns or accidents.
Responding to the open letter of resignation issued on 27 February by 20 members of its Bodyshop Consultative Group members, the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) issued the following response: ”The RMI regrets the decision by these Consultative Group members and is pleased to note that they have not resigned from RMI membership.”
An open letter from members representing some 100 bodyshops was delivered to RMI chief executive Matthew Carrington today, 27 February, and released to media.
With '04'-plated cars due to arrive on UK roads from the start of next month, Glass's has been examining the premium that buyers can expect to pay for the latest nearly-new cars.
A survey by the Alliance & Leicester indicates that while 68% of car buyers shop around to ensure they get the right car, 69% of new or nearly new car buyers didn't shop around for finance.
The latest Alliance & Leicester Car Price Index figures show the price of new cars fell year-on-year by just 0.3% in January, but prices are still roughly 12% lower than they were in January 2000.<
Subaru UK CEO Ed Swatman has publicly attacked Warranty Direct's recent news release suggesting that its Impreza is the most expensive car to repair in the UK.
Vauxhall MasterFit Centres and dealers are gearing up to provide MOT tests for more than 50,000 owners of three-year-old Vauxhall cars and vans stay when their first MOT inspection falls due in March.
The £1.2 million HyTrans 'micro-hybrid' Transit van development project was formally announced today by Transport Minister David Jamieson MP during a visit to Ford's Southampton Transit van assembly plant.
HR Owen is to open a second Lamborghini dealership. It will be built on HR Owen's former Jaguar dealership site in Stockport.
Land Rover workers have accepted a pay offer, ending the threat of further strike action and dealers' fears of stock shortages.
Multi-franchises dealers could slash their IT costs in half because of changes to block exemption regulations, according to dealer management system provider Pinewood.
PSA Peugeot-Citroen will launch 26 new models by 2006 in a bid to raise annual global vehicle sales from 3.3m to 4m.
Several Mercedes-Benz retailers have started adding Chrysler franchises to their market territories as they move to larger showpiece dealerships.
Car manufacturers could force Pendragon to jettison some of the CD Bramall franchises due to a grey area under the new block exemption regulations, according to industry sources.
Lloyds TSB has sent shockwaves through the used car sector after opening a supersite in the Birmingham region.
Dealers could face fines of up to £5,000 if they fail to comply with tough new financial regulations to stop money laundering, which come into effect on March 1.
Four years after rumours linked MG Rover with Proton, the manufacturers have confirmed they are talking to each other about future collaborations.
Ford's dealer operations director Steve Hood has been named director of marketing in a major reshuffle at the carmaker's UK head offices. In his new role Hood succeeds Peter Fleet, while Morten Hannesbo becomes director sales, replacing Paul Van der Burgh.
Seat is asking its European dealers to spend thousands of pounds upgrading their showrooms to help revamp its corporate image and boost sales. All 125 UK dealers will have to make the investment by the end of August 2005.
The RMI is pressing ahead with plans to launch the CarWise scheme this spring – and will use the Automotive Trade Show at the end of March as a forum for dealers and garage owners to discuss the changes.
Ford will mark its return to the ultra competitive hot-hatch sector when it unveils a high performance version of the Fiesta next month.
