Diesel-powered cars will account for nearly one third of Ford's British sales within four years, double the current level.
The new Polo will be the first VW to benefit from Audi's tax-beating FSI direct-injection petrol technology. A 1.4-litre version, developing 85bhp, will be launched next summer three months after the range goes on sale.
Audi pulled off one of the surprises of the show with the Avantissimo concept, said by insiders to be poised to form the pinnacle of the new A8 range to debut at the Paris show next autumn.
Seat UK director Kevin James, director for Seat in the UK, wants the small two-seater Tango roadster concept to be turned into reality to generate showroom traffic.
Bernd Pischetsrieder, who will be chairman of Volkswagen Group from April, is planning changes to the line-up of marques and models.
Intel has announced a plan to speed up the adoption of Internet-based navigation, multimedia, phones and other products in cars.
The Motor Vehicle Repairer Association (MVRA) is developing a new contract that it will use as its 'benchmark' for all negotiations with its insurance approved repairer networks.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced the appointment of Stefan Jacoby as president & CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Europe.
A total of 222 cars were pre-registered by manufacturers in August.
Thousands of small businesses in the UK may face prosecution under new provisions about to come into force under the 1998 Data Protection Act, according to Experian, the business information group.
General Motors is to take a 67% controlling stake in Daewoo Motor Corporation after signing a memorandum of understanding. It is confident the deal will be completed by the end of the year.
The new Superb will become a brand builder for Skoda, helping to push it towards 40,000 sales next year. The upper medium class Superb, due on UK sale next June, revives a Skoda brand name from the 1930s when it was attached to prestige limousine cars.
Automotive Management's 2002 Awards night will be at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham, on February 13. Businesses of all sizes will compete for the awards which matter in the UK motor retail industry. The awards include categories for companies in the aftersales sector and for manufacturers.
Chrysler Jeep UK director Simon Elliott believes the PT Cruiser cabriolet will play a key role in building sales. “We are beginning to re-establish ourselves with new models,” he said.
Motorists believe that repairers are ripping them off by millions of pounds, according to a survey by insurer Norwich Union.
A rising UK car parc, on the back of new models such as Rio and brand builders like Sedona has forced Kia to take action in a bid to retain aftersales business within its dealer network.
Consultants agree website design is important but it is the quality of the information available to the customer that makes the difference between a successful site and an also-ran.
In May 2000 Sir Richard Branson claimed that Virgin Cars would sell 24,000 new cars worth £250m in its first 18 months. The time is almost up, but the much-lauded online car retailer has sold only 5,000 cars.
Demand for new technologies is growing fast - but dealers see few benefits
Chief executive John Day has rapidly changed the senior management structure at Quicks and is now embarking on a long-term strategy. He talked to Tony Willard.
General Motors is set to begin talks with European labour unions about cutting capacity in the region by up to 350,000 units, or 15%, a year.
Businesses selling insurance products are being advised that it is 'business as usual' in the light of the decision by the Competition Commission that new sales rules proposed by the General Insurance Standards Council were anti-competitive.
Work is due to start on Monday on a new £350,000 redevelopment of what was formerly the Dixon Ford used car site in Saville Street, Sheffield, into a brand new Nissan dealership.
The importance of allowing a salesman to concentrate on selling cars, the over abundance of old cars clogging up the auctions halls and the passing of old friends - Martin Ward, Cap Motor Research national research manager gives his views.
Insurance companies are being warned against 'victimising' vehicle body repairers who are defending their rights by supporting the Body Repair Industry Campaign.
A new contract hire company has been launched by dealer group Reg Vardy as part of a joint venture.
Attempts by fleets and leasing companies to save millions of pounds in administrative efficiencies are being hampered by car dealers, a leading industry figure is claiming.
Dealers are concerned that carmakers will try to exert greater control over their businesses during the next 12 months as the Block Exemption review deadline looms, according to the latest Dealer Attitude Survey.
Two senior Ford of Europe executives issued warnings to dealers ahead of the announcement about big losses. Ford European president and chief executive David Thursfield had a message for the network: “Treat our customers in an exemplary fashion or don't expect to be one of our retailers forever."
Jim Tyrrell, managing director of Mitsubishi Motors UK, believes the early introduction of end-of-life recycling regulations would “bankrupt everyone in the industry”.
