Repairers have been warned that they may face a slump in business over the next 12 months if the Government forces carmakers to reduce UK prices.

Former Drake Insurance claims manager Doug McKinnon returns to the crash repair business next month with a new web-based initiative called Plexus Online.

Industry trade associations have expressed concern over the growing number of complaints from their bodyshop members about parts availability.

BDML Connect is targeting parallel and grey import buyers by launching MasterQuote Import insurance.

R-M Automotive Refinish is securing additional bodyshop business in the UK through a pact with Churchill Insurance.

Renault's wholly-owned Retail Group has reported excellent initial feedback to its Bright initiative, with as many as 500 customers signed up to the fledgling loyalty scheme.

Paint manufacturer Standox, part of the DuPont-owned Herberts division, is following the e-commerce trend with the launch of electronic trading facilities for its bodyshop customers.

TMS Group, of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, has invested £100,000 in a new online company called Ecom Internet.

Renault and Nissan's UK dealers are to be restructured to create sales 'hubs', with a central retailer controlling about four Renault and Nissan satellite showrooms, resulting in fewer but more powerful dealers with greater control over brand related sales and service outlets.

Paisner & Co, a leading e-business law firm, has launched a service to enable manufacturers and dealers operating on the internet to comply with strict new data protection rules introduced in March.

Mercedes believes its sole-supply contract with cut-price rental firm EasyRentaCar will lead to a surge in demand for the A class.

Motor finance house General Guarantee is up for sale for the second time in two years.

Over the past four weeks the used car dealer's job has become increasingly difficult. It has affected all sectors, from late-plate models to seven year-old vehicles. There are several reasons for the problems currently besetting the trade. First there has been a slowdown in retail demand, driven in no small part by consumer uncertainty over new car prices and a general lack of public confidence in the motor trade in the wake of the Competition Commission report.

We should never forget what drives used car values - and that is the pound in the pocket of the person on the street. If their money is heading towards cosmetics, a new TV or a holiday then it will clearly not be spent on a car. And the less demand for a car the greater the impact on residual values. Similarly, if people release equity from their house then maybe.

North-east dealer group Benfield Motors has responded to the growing threat from internet-based importers and car superstores by launching another innovative pilot scheme to lure back customers. Bid N Buy, which ran for 10 days, gave customers the opportunity to place a bid on all used vehicles at Benfield's Skoda dealership, including Vauxhall, Citroen, Ford, Toyota and Seat models.

Vauxhall Network Q is offering a 15,000-mile, no time limit guarantee on all used cars, which will benefit low mileage drivers.

BCA Automotiv has speeded up the used car buying process for dealers with the UK launch this month of BCA Direct, an online retailing platform. BCA Direct, which sources vehicles from manufacturers, contract hire and fleet operators, offers three transaction methods: fixed-price instant purchase, electronic auctions and tenders. A Pipeline stock module gives dealers advance notice of vehicles that will shortly become available.

The Home Office has announced tough measures to crackdown on rogue operators in the scrap metal industry. Mike O'Brien, Home Office minister, said the Government intended to improve the UK's “deplorable record” on car crime.

Lex Autosales plans to offer potential customers a wider choice of more than 5,000 used vehicles with its new database system, giving sales consultants at each of its outlets access to the 1,500 vehicles stocked across the group, plus additional stock sourced from Lex's leasing business.

A Network Q dealership in Cambridgeshire has auctioned the first nearly-new Corsa under Vauxhall's £1 reserve price scheme, sparking enormous consumer interest. Lance Owen in Kingston sold the 1999 Corsa GLS 5dr, worth £6,995 retail, for £5,750. The model, auctioned on the www.FiredUp.com website, triggered more than 16,000 daily hits over a three-day period.

Motor Solutions will from next month attempt to give retail buyers service similar to the level enjoyed by company car drivers.

Pendragon is to use the fleet-buying power of its C.2k contract hire company to offer cheap cars to retail customers via the internet.

DC Cook's chairman Derek Cook expects his new internet and call centre business to bring in more money than the group's £337m turnover dealerships within a year.

Used car dealers need to be wary of “anxious manufacturers filling forecourts with pre-registered vehicles” if prices are to improve.

Changes to company car tax rules in the Budget are likely to mean the end of many 'cash for cars' schemes as low mileage, perk drivers come back into the company car market. The move could hit dealerships and finance companies which have invested heavily in personal contract purchase and personal leasing schemes, offering no hassle, company car-style motoring to private buyers.

Rover dealers have expressed a mixture of relief and optimism at the news that BMW has agreed to sell Rover Cars to Phoenix Consortium.

Finax, the Capital Bank sub-prime finance division, is to promise its dealers faster response times and better payout terms in the next few months. The new deals will be formalised in fresh standard service level agreements, currently being prepared.

Citroen has added the HDi engine to its Dispatch range to improve fuel economy, give longer service intervals, reduce emissions and provide better driveability.

Receivers are thought to be close to finding a buyer for Somerset-based Ford dealer group Whyte Knights.

Mitsubishi has launched a direct mail initiative for its special finance rates which has seen all 118 dealerships mail more than 25,000 potential customers in the past 10 weeks.