News - Page 1417

Sytner has opened a £19m flagship BMW facility at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. The four-acre site – one of the most expensive developments in UK automotive retail history – employs 130 staff and is expected to generate £80m turnover in its first year.

The entry of the Cadillac brand into the UK market is to be highlighted by promotions at a series of high profile events this year.

Direct injection petrol engine technology, widely applied by Volkswagen Group and being developed by a number of mainstream carmakers, may be heading for a legislative brick wall.

Renault UK is considering whether to establish a separate retail network for its value-segment Logan four-door saloon, which goes on sale here in 2007.

BMW has this week embarked on a four-week ride and drive national roadshow to market the new 7-series to potential buyers.

Independent car retailers are being advised to stock up on smaller, high-spec cars to cope with increasing demand caused by high fuel prices.

Nissan has introduced its new three-year business plan, Nissan Value-Up, which will see the company boost global sales by 25% to 4.2m in the next three years. Under the new strategy, Nissan will launch 28 new models and introduce the Infiniti premium brand worldwide, including Britain in 2008.

Hear why lifetime customer value is now the key performance yardstick.

New car registrations fell 4% in April compared to the same month last year 179,457 units, according to figures from the Society of Motor Traders and Manufacturers today.

Dealer group Reg Vardy says it remains confident of a strong end-of-year performance despite what it calls a 'soft' new car market.

General Motors and Ford’s debt rating has been downgraded to ‘junk’ status by the US credit agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P).

Inchcape, the international automotive services group, has announced that Alan Ferguson, group finance director, will be leaving the board in September to take up the position of group finance director at BOC Group.

Tony Blair must prove early on in his historic third term that Labour is committed to supporting small businesses, the backbone of the UK economy, a leading business pressure group said today.

JCT600 is to move to new head offices in Rawdon, Leeds.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars plans to move into other areas of the car market

Audi has announced details of its new look Audi A3 range, which is available to order now with prices ranging from £15,515 to £24,130 for first deliveries in July.

Renault UK is considering whether to establish a separate retail network for its value-segment Logan four-door saloon, which goes on sale here in 2007.

Pendragon has announced that it will be launching five new Cadillac and Corvette dealers in the UK.

Kia Motors has announced that sales in Europe rose to 78% in April to 21,580 units.

DCS Group, the international IT solutions company, has announced a trading profit of £1.5m (2003: £0.7m) from revenues of £42.2m.

Jaguar has introduced a new 2.2-litre turbocharged diesel with six-speed manual transmission to the X-type range.

BMW has added a four-cylinder derivative to the Z4 line-up and first deliveries will arrive this month in the UK.

Cheshire Fire Service has taken delivery of 20 Smart Fortwos as part of a four year campaign to promote fire prevention.

Subaru is offering free performance pack upgrades for its Impreza WRX and STi Type-UK.

Carlos Ghosn has been given the vote of approval by shareholders to become the chief executive of Renault, putting him in joint control of the French carmaker and Nissan Motor.

Mazda is to work with its franchise network in 2005 to win more corporate business from small and medium enterprises.

Aviva’s acquisition of the RAC, has been cleared by the European Commission.

The list price of the average new supermini (Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagen Polo) has dropped by 2.1% year-on-year to the end of April more than any other type of car, according to the latest Glass’s New Car Market Trends report.

Volkswagen has upgraded the specification on its Phaeton saloon.

Mitsubishi has announced that its ninth generation Lancer Evolution IX supercar will go on sale in the UK from June 1.