Mini goes on sale tomorrow (July 7) and already dealers are raising their sights on transaction prices. One enthusiast among the 2,500 buyers who have ordered a car unseen has specified so many options the final bill will be just over £16,000 – against a base price of £10,300.
Changes to Block Exemption in 2002 will create opportunities for dealers, says James Robinson, partner and head of competition group at Tite & Lewis, the law firm in association with Ernst & Young
BMW GB's £7m Mini advertising and marketing launch campaign will include a series of “mini blockbuster films”, now premiering at cinemas.
Fiat Group has stolen a march on its European rivals by launching a sophisticated but low cost telematics service that will be used in all Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Ferrari and Maserati models. It believes no rivals will be able to offer similar services for at least a year.
Yorkshire dealer Nidd Vale Group has announced record turnover up 14% to more than £75m for the year to April. The company put its strong performance down to a successful expansion into the fleet market, taking orders worth more than £3m from Yorkshire Water, which involved 100 Vauxhall Combo dual fuel vans, and Enterprise Rent-a-car.
Fiat Auto chief executive officer Roberto Testore has revealed his wish to make Alfa Romeo into a separate prestige retail brand. “It is my dream to have a solus Alfa network,” he said in London.
PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota Motor Corporation hope to announce next week a deal to jointly design and manufacture a small car targeted at European buyers.
Vauxhall chairman Nick Reilly has been promoted to vice president sales, marketing and aftersales for General Motors Europe.
Burntwood Accident Repair Centre, which went into voluntary liquidation last month with debts thought to total £2m, was this week on the verge of being sold to hire firm Prospect Group Europe.
Independent Insurance's collapse last month has left dealers and bodyshops with worthless motor trade policies, according to broker Regal Cover. It believes companies face “huge premium increases” to buy replacement policies.
RMI chief executive David Evans has criticised trading standards motor trade officer Peter Stratton for claiming that two-thirds of MoT certificates were issued corruptly or incompetently.
Two Audi Centres have been opened in Yorkshire and the manufacturer has announced a bespoke option programme to help build the brand.
Vauxhall has revamped its MasterFit website (www.masterfit.co.uk).
Van fleets hold the key to successful development of fuel cell technology, according to PSA Peugeot Citroen. The manufacturer has singled out light commercial vehicle fleets to help bring fuel cell technology a step closer.
Citroen's LCV market share has risen by 9.1% in the first half of 2001, consolidating its position at number three in the market behind Ford and Vauxhall.
The new Audi A4 and Land Rover Freelander have been launched into the used market at sales held by BCA.
Used car dealers are being encouraged to 'exceed customers'expectations' with the launch of a new guide published by the RMI.
Toyota (GB) has launched a marketing internet site for its dealer network. The portal provides Toyota dealers with an interactive communications system with a customised marketing service, aimed at helping dealers plan their marketing activities online.
Drivers are 30% safer in vehicles with at least a three-star rating under the European New Car Assessment Programme crash test scheme, compared to two-star cars or vehicles without a score.
BMW corporate operations manager Alan Waldie has left the company. BMW (GB) managing director Jim O'Donnell described the departure as amicable and added: “There has been no disagreement, there is no acrimony. He did a good job for BMW - our growth in the corporate sector has been excellent.”
The RMI has backed Government moves to address a skills' shortage in the retail motor industry with moves that could see 14-year-olds working in bodyshops.
Lexus is claiming the accolade as the fastest growing prestige brand in the UK in the first six months of 2001 with sales up 31.7% on last year.
Ryland has sold its Ford Northampton market area, with sites in Northampton, Kettering and Daventry, to Camden Motors for £0.5m in cash.
Perry Group has announced a series of operational changes today, including the resignation of its chief executive, John Woollatt.
Inchcape UK has appointed AA Business Services to provide it with vehicle inspection services for about 8,000 end-of-lease vehicles before they are remarketed, mostly through the internet.
Ford will use November's Scottish Motor Show in Glasgow as a major platform for launching its New Fiesta following the car giant's decision not to support the London Motor Show.
Vauxhall boss Nick Reilly has predicted "a dramatic turnaround in the profitability" of the marque's UK dealership network this year following the struggles of 2000.
OneSwoop and Carbusters have today announced a strategic alliance and co-operation agreement which they claim will further undercut new car prices offered by the UK's franchised dealers.
A new MoT insurance scheme for Mercedes-Benz car drivers has been launched by Regency F & I, part of the volume insurance provider The Regency Group.
