A dispute between a Cumbrian dealer and Audi UK led to delays and the last minute withdrawal of the carmaker’s own stock at its auction at BCA Belle Vue in Manchester a week ago.
The SMMT’s new-car market assessment for the next two years is enough to have dealer principals blubbing into their morning coffee: sales down 2.7% this year and 1.9% in 2007.
A recent mystery shop by Accident Exchange found that 68% of dealership staff are unaware of one of the most basic rights of a motorist – that they, and not the insurer, choose where their vehicle is repaired after an accident.
Pipeline Card, set up in November of last year to offer discounted petrol to private individuals, has now got 100,000 registered members.
Under fire from bodyshops, the RMI comes out fighting, reports Stephen Briers
Thatcham is gaining support for its plans to jointly develop a Kitemark for bodyshops in partnership with the British Standards Institution.
EurotaxGlass’s has revised the charging structure for its Glassmatix III repair estimating system, reflecting the uncertainty facing many bodyshops.
Director Steve Settle explains how dealers play a vital role in achieving his aspirations for more car sales and better loyalty. Stephen Briers reports
Sytner has increased its BMW representation following the acquisition of Godfrey Hall in Coventry.
Toyota has spent €130 million (£91m) on expanding its technical centre in Brussels.
Fiat Auto UK is confident of selling around 32,000 Grande Puntos this year without heavy incentivizing, says managing director Giulio Salomone.
The recent closure of two Smart dealerships is part of DaimlerChrysler’s global business plan for the brand, according to the manufacturer.
Renault’s new five-door Clio is on sale now with prices ranging from £8,995 to £15,050.
The RMI’s strategy board has given its backing to the new NFDA working group, which met for the first time in December.
Motor retailers are being asked to remove the registration plates of used vehicles on forecourts and in advertisements to help police in the fight against cloning.
BEN, the automotive charity, has put a trip to Las Vegas up for grabs, along with £10,000 prize money, as part of a new fundraising initiative.
Toyota GB is remaining tight-lipped about the reasons why European Motor Holdings sold Toyota and Lexus dealerships to a dealer group operated by a Japanese corporation.
Increased franchise standards and rising building costs have forced one of north Scotland’s best known dealer groups to close a sales operation and pull out of planned expansion.
ChryslerJeep has named the 14 approved aftersales sites for the new range of Dodge Ram pick-up trucks.
Arval, the UK vehicle leasing and fleet management company with 160,000 vehicles, will by the end of June rely on a network of 2,000 sites for all service, maintenance and repair work.
Fuel Parts UK, the fuel systems and emission parts supplier, is launching the North American Magnaflow brand of performance exhaust products into Britain.
Leicester-based Laser Protector is targeting specialist garages and workshops with a laser diode parking system.
Buoyed by Renault and Elf’s 2005 F1 success, Total Lubricants UK is launching two new products into the market.
Solvitol, the County Durham-based manufacturer and supplier of aerosols and chemicals to the automotive, catering, industrial, household, manufacturing and janitorial sectors, has been acquired for £3.25m by a consortium which includes existing managing director Rod Godwin.
Steve Nash, BMW GB’s aftersales director and the chairman of the Institute of the Motor Industry, is to deliver the opening address at this year’s AM Aftermarket Conference.
Aftermarket supplier German Swedish & French Car Parts has launched a free seasonal motoring clinic for retail and trade customers at its new Canterbury branch.
Automotive coatings manufacturers have gained a powerful new voice as they prepare for major legislative changes.
The Reg Vardy board is still backing the Lookers 875p per share bid over Pendragon’s three-way merger.
The Lookers board is working hard to convince Reg Vardy’s shareholders not to accept Pedragon’s offer of a three-way merger this morning.
The reason for Lookers’ lengthy delay before making its play for Reg Vardy is now clear: the group wanted to raise sufficient capital to comprehensively tear apart Pendragon’s 800p per share offer. This it achieved by tabling an 875p bid (a cash offer of £492m compared to Pendragon’s £450m).
