Pendragon plc today announced a pre-tax profit of £13.3m to June 30, up from £10.5m in the first-half of 2000.
Ford today released the first details of the all-new Fiesta which debuts at next month's Frankfurt motor show. Sales in the UK and other European countries start next spring.
MG Rover has added its voice to growing concerns over the UK Government's plans to bring forward to next year the retrospective End of Life Vehicle directive deadline.
Britain's Institute of Directors has demanded that the Governent build more roads, both publicly and privately funded, to cut road congestion.
Ford is to cut 500 jobs in the US – 10% of its workforce – after issuing a profit warning. Shares dropped 9.5% on the announcement.
Ford is to cut 500 jobs in the US - 10% of its workforce - after announcing a profit warning.
New car list prices in the UK are 18% above the European average, according to the latest Credit Suisse First Boston retail price index, which represents a “significant reduction” on last year.
DaimlerChrysler will revive the Maybach luxury brand next year after a 60-year absence, with UK sales expected to start from spring 2003.
Vehicle transportation provider AutoLogic has reported a growth in pre-tax profits and turnover on last year in its interim report.
Co-Op has boosted its servicing provision and staff at two of its centres.
The Co-Op Motor Group has boosted its staffing and service offering at two of its centres.
The UK's best-selling car, the Ford Focus, has been hit by claims of handbrake problems, in the wake of concern that the flagship Mondeo was suffering a similar fault.
Nissan has announced the early retirement of Ian Milburn CBE, deputy managing director of its European technology centre based in Cranfield, UK. He will leave at the end of the month.
MG Rover has been chosen as the sole supplier to the John Menzies Group. In a contract worth £11m at showroom prices, MG Rover, in partnership with Arnold Clark Finance, will supply up to 1,000 cars over 3 years to John Menzies and associated companies. This is the largest fleet deal won by MG Rover since its formation.
The Government is glowing 'green' by suggesting tougher car recycling laws than elsewhere in Europe. In a limp response, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said it was “disappointed to say the least”.
In a press release James Muir said his appointment as managing director of Mazda Motors UK was “a fascinating opportunity”. Others might say he has put his career on the line by accepting it.
Cap's latest (July) Used Car Confidence Index shows that over a third of dealers think that the new registration plate system will make sales harder when cars come on to the used market.
The motor retail industry is predicting bumper new car sales in September. After initial fears that consumers would not understand there was a new number-plate format, the hype has started to build and order banks are looking good.
Banks and direct lenders have not yet responded to the latest cut in bank base rates. After all, it was not long ago that economists were predicting the next rate rise would be up. With more cuts now forecast, they are likely to wait a while before making a positive move.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that heavy promotion of finance offers is bringing new car customers back into the showrooms. Not only are sales running well ahead of last year (and ahead of two years ago before the 'Rip-off Britain' campaign broke) but figures from the Finance and Leasing Association show new car point-of-sale finance is increasing.
AM-online, the website of Automotive Management, next month launches a survey to monitor the changing fortunes of the UK new car market.
An award winning scheme to give young people a formal qualification in vehicle selling is to be rolled out nationally after a successful pilot programme in Manchester.
It is now only a matter of days until the new registration plate format comes into effect. However new car advertising incorporating the new identifiers has been conspicuous by its absence.
Many factors affect the used car market but they are often of little consideration to company car drivers. As mentioned in previously Monitor columns, good fuel consumption is vital to many used car buyers, as they are often working to a tight budget.
Inchcape has announced a link between Direct, its dealer group remarketing division, and online subsidiary Autobytel to sell ex-fleet, leasing and rental cars via the internet.
Manheim Europe is gearing up for a surge in business from part-exchange vehicles in September as the new registration system creates strong demand for new cars.
Consumers are reluctant to switch from browsing to buying cars on the internet for fear of “taking home a lemon”, according to independent stock locator CarsAlive.
