Dealerships occupying older showrooms could be failing to meet the needs of disabled car buyers and employees, and could face fines or compensation claims.
In its defence against the Pendragon bid, Lookers last week (Wednesday, April 12) decided to make an issue of carmakers’ rights to terminate franchises if there is a change of control.
Hyundai’s new dealer council will hold its inaugural meeting at the end of the month as it looks to address continuing unrest among retailers.
New research conflicts with the claims of some dealers that the internet is widening their sales territories, giving them a national presence. It claims that consumers are prepared to travel on average just 21 miles to buy a new car, with Londoners and those living in the south, Midlands and north east least willing to travel.
The new 3-series Coupe range will go on sale in the UK on September 23 and will feature the first twin-turbo petrol engine in a BMW.
A year after opening, Sytner BMW High Wycombe is enjoying robust trading in all areas of the business.
Norfolk-based car retail company Coredale closed on March 31 after last-ditch attempts to save the business failed.
Former William Jacks chief executive John Adair has been appointed non-executive board advisor at Sytner.
Williamson Motors, a family firm founded at Darlington in 1939, has paid £1m for a Citroën dealership, which will take its turnover to around £40m.
Cadillac claims the UK market is crucial to its success in Europe, but has refused to be drawn on sales targets.
The OFT has revoked the credit licence of Southampton motor retailer Euro Continental Cars.
The chief executive of EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide, has embarked on an expedition to the North Pole to raise £100,000 for cancer care at the Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation’s rebranding reflects its repositioning and goes much deeper than a cosmetic make-over, says director of sales and marketing, Gary Elliott.
Saab GB’s Motability sales have risen by 87% in the last six months to 103 cars sold.
The planned regulations to ensure car modified to run on LPG are subject to safety tests after the conversion has been greeted by the Retail Motor Industry Federation.
Sytner Group has started construction of a £4m Bentley dealership in Birmingham.
Fiat Auto UK has tasted success again at last with a strong sales performance in March driven by the opening salvo in its 12-month £25m Grande Punto advertising campaign.
Citroen is offering a special half price air conditioning on its Berlingo Enterprise, Dispatch Enterprise and Relay 1100 Enterprise panel vans ordered by April 30 and registered by May 31 2006.
Inchcape has submitted plans to replace its current Mercedes-Benz and Smart outlet in Coventry with a new showroom.
Work has begun on a new Mini dealership in Crewe for dealer group Blue Bell.
Dealer group Bestodeck, which operates SMC-branded dealerships in Kent and Surrey, has signed a year’s contract with Trader Media Group to upload stock to its AutoTrader website and leading search engines.
Lookers upped the pace in the Pendragon bid battle last week (April 12) by warning shareholders that the group could lose revenues of £326m if acquired by Pendragon.
Auto Trader will have its largest ever presence at July’s British Motor Show, supported by a £500,000 marketing campaign.
Director Barry Green has left HR Owen “as part of the ongoing restructuring process”, according to its board.
Sales lead management system e-GoodManners and deal optimizer Track have joined forces to help dealers improve their sales efficiency.
CRM and loyalty programmes are transforming the way many businesses interact with their customers.
Phil Wallace, group chief executive of Norwich-based Robinsons Motor Group, has announced that he is to take early retirement after more than 30 years with the company.
The Lookers board has said the statement made earlier today by Pendragon chairman, Sir Nigel Rudd to Lookers’ shareholders, ‘remains totally unconvincing in its arguments in favour of an inadequate proposal’.
BRIC has hit back at claims from some bodyshops that it is lacking direction. In recent weeks, several posts have appeared on the ABP website questioning the effectiveness of BRIC and asking for clarification of its objectives.
The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association believes that a national form of block exemption would improve business for bodyshops and ensure the longevity of the industry as a whole.
