News - Page 1193

Following a pilot earlier this year, Black Horse Motor Finance has launched Finance Direct, a new initiative to help dealers increase their F&I income without having to be FSA-registered.

Tougher regulations targeting money laundering will be introduced by the government on December 15 as it steps up measures to fight terrorist financing.

Businesses lending money were responsible for one in eight complaints to the Information Commissioner Richard Thomas, according to his annual report.

Car buyers are more likely to choose a finance package in the showroom over a personal loan to pay for their new car, despite the hype from online banks and high street providers.

The Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire Group will officially open its new Stevenage dealership on Monday.

If anyone reading this is thinking on going on a team day out then I would recommend going rafting. It made the whole team pull together to get through some of the bigger rapids, although there was the occasional casualty (see gallery).

HiQ has announced an ambition “to revolutionise the fast-fit industry” over the next three years.

Estimating software house Audatex will reposition as a claims management solutions provider later this year on the back of product launches that will move it up and down stream.

Large UK dealer groups are lagging behind smaller ones in Renault’s four-year programme to significantly raise retail standards by 2009, says UK quality and methods manager Andy Heiron.

Online salvage company Bluecycle is looking to link with car dealers to launch a new service which will source used vehicles for policyholders after their car is written off.

Nationwide Autocentres, the UK independent chain of car servicing and repair centres, has opened a new centre in Gateshead.

Nineteen year old Paul Gibbons, who is employed at Charles Braddock, in Sale is the 5,000th technician to achieve the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) standard, which is governed by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Capital Bank believes dealers could do more to structure their stock finance despite heightened awareness around its importance.

Too many lenders are chasing too many consumers with rates delivering unacceptable margins, which could cause some consolidation in the financial services market as a whole, according to a review.

Groups in the north-east offered franchises weeks ago.

The National Consumer Council (NCC) has further relaxed deadlines imposed on the motor industry to come up with a cross-industry code of practice for servicing and repairs.

Industry charity Ben expects to return a small surplus in its current financial year after losing £500,000 in the 12 months to March 31, 2007.

Learn some suggested solutions to the challenges facing your dealership at the AM Financial Challenges in Motor Retail Conference.

Skoda will unveil its new Fabia estate at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

A consortium of investors has acquired Scottish Motor Auctions (SMA) in a multi-million pound deal.

Kia has released a preview image of its Sports Coupe concept car which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 11.

Which?’s latest undercover attack on the motor industry has highlighted under- performing garages around the UK.

For example, when I was searching for my new car a few years ago, I was looking pretty much solely on the fact that the boot could hold a drumkit.

The Funding Corporation, launched by former Capital Bank Motor executives in 2001 to challenge major finance suppliers, has ceased to operate in several sectors and is focusing on sub prime lending.

The number of dealers joining a ‘class action’ for millions of pounds of compound interest on VAT repayments could total 1,500.

Martyn Beever has acquired FR Pulleyn’s Skoda franchise in York.

Sewells' Who Owns Who July 2007 edition, the retail group directory, is available now.

General Motors and A123Systems will co-develop a nanophosphate battery for use in GM’s electric drive E-Flex system.

The Hendy Group has supplied Salisbury City Football Club's manager, Nick Holmes, with a Mazda6.

It's one of those comments which has stuck with me, especially considering the Aygo is a car I've always for some reason been interested to try. And, as I stood outside a the rent-a-car shop in Madeira's capital, Funchal, on holiday last week I was curious as to how brave Toyota had been.