Volkswagen Group has increased operating profits for the first six months of 2008 despite western European sales outside Germany falling 3.6% to 1.07 million units.
Bike and car parts retailer Halfords has reported a 1.7% increase in sales for the 13 weeks to June 27, citing tighter consumer finances as the cause.
Pendragon’s 500 redundancies were essential because of falling sales of new cars to retail buyers and small businesses, said chief executive Trevor Finn.
Carco Group’s takeover of Bryan Brothers will increase the Bristol-based independent retailer’s annual turnover to almost £75 million and push its staff headcount up to 250.
Brian Carte, Caffyns chairman, has said the future of the automotive retail market looks uncertain as the dealer group faces a tough year.
Ford has released specification and pricing for the new Fiesta, which goes on sale in October.
PSA Peugeot Citroen revenue for the first half of 2008 stood at £19,383 million, up 1.4% on the same period last year.
Bill Parfitt, chairman and managing director of General Motors UK, talks about the importance of Vauxhall's flagship Insignia model at the British International Motor Show.
David Pugh, head of marketing at Saab GB, talks about forthcoming product for the Swedish range at the British International Motor Show.
Accident Exchange is focused on improving cashflow and increasing its profitability after an “exceptionally difficult year” that saw profit before tax dip by £1.5 million.
Lack of information may put new car safety at risk.
The first new model from Lotus in 13 years will be called the Evora.
Gordon Brown visits the British International Motor Show and discusses with GM's European boss Carl-Peter Forster how the British government can help push forward technology for electrically powered cars.
The Competition Commission may ban point-of-sale Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) because, it says, people are overcharged by £1.4 billion a year due to a lack of competition.
Insurer Allianz is expected to announce a mandate for the Thatcham/BSI Kitemark.
NAG MG UK claims to be receiving healthy interest from dealers and customers ahead of the TF roadster’s relaunch in September.
Citroen has missed its target to launch its own UK-based training academy in the first quarter of this year.
The deadline is fast approaching for entries to the AM/Accident Exchange receptionist of the year competition.
Inchcape Retail UK open its fourth Honda dealership in August.
Fiat has restructured its UK operations to strengthen ties with the contract hire industry.
Audi has confirmed the prices for its new Q5 SUV. SE spec vehicles will be priced from £29,950 for the 2.0-litre TDI 170 quattro model.
Volvo is offering chauffeur companies £4,000 of extras when they order new cars before the end of September.
‘Bright greys’ are key to success as dealer incentives are used to target 10,000 units.
The Office of Fair Trading and Trading Standards are currently looking at motor finance advertising to ensure it is compliant with Consumer Credit Act regulations.
Finance companies were changing their products before the Competition Commission last month published its damning report about payment protection insurance.
Morgan LifeCar, IFR Aspid and the Mastretta.
Ford Focus RS, Suzuki Kizashi, Nissan Qashqai+2, Lightning GT, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Lotus Evora, Hyundai Genesis coupé concept and the new Vauxhall Insignia.
Now, considering this commentary was to a bunch of motoring hacks, the following quote was possibly ill-advised: “With the congestion charge, fuel prices and parking costs, private motoring in London is very unwise; it’s far better to take public transport.”
Vertu Motors has maintained double digit growth in like for like new retail and used car sales in the first four months of this year ending June 30.
A scheme to heavily subsidise vehicles or give them away, in return for contracts to buy electricity to charge them, is being considered by the Prime Minister.
