Sunwin Motor Group, one of Yorkshire's largest traders, has bought the Renault franchise for Preston and Blackpool following Caledonia's decision to split with the marque.
Saab will take the wraps off a new sports hatch concept (pictured below) at next month's Frankfurt motor show as it prepares to launch the 9-3 estate next year.
Black Horse Motor Finance has been forced to speed up the introduction of its new approved dealer scheme after an unprecedented level of interest from retailers.
Aston Martin faces further industrial action this week after the Transport and General Workers Union announced strike dates.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation has called in specialist head-hunters to seek out a new boss for its newly-created aftermarket and used cars division.
Ryland Group chairman Peter Whale has warned shareholders that the company will lose its franchises unless questions over future ownership are settled urgently.
Don't expect sweeping changes to the structure of the aftermarket after carmakers sign new franchise agreements under revised block exemption rules in October.
The new block exemption regulations include the concept of 'authorised repairer', which basically means that any service workshop can become an official service point for any franchise from October 1 this year – provided they meet the vehicle manufacturer's standards. Back in May, I speculated about how much an independent garage might have to invest to become an authorised repairer for a single marque.
Motor World, the UK's biggest independent car parts and accessories retailer, has acquired 21 Les Smith stores in London and the south of England from administrator Baker-Tilly, saving 80 jobs.
Units of the Stanadyne Corporation and the Timken Company have agreed to jointly develop and market OE and replacement automotive engine valve train components for a sector estimated to be worth £700m a year globally.
Shock absorber and suspension components supplier Kayaba UK has appointed Richard Bennett as assistant general manager.
ABS, the accident solutions comp-any, has ditched external inspections programmes run by trade associations and instead launched its own in-house scheme.
Five thousand pounds-worth of workshop tools and a performance driving experience will be won by Champion's Technician of the Year 2004.
MG Rover's CityRover will go on sale in the UK this month. Based on the Tata Indica, it is powered by an 85bhp, 1.4-litre engine and marks Rover's return to the supermini sector following the demise of the Rover 100 in 1997.
Nationwide Accident Repairs Serv-ices is on the acquisition trail after a major financial turnaround.
Major dealer groups are preparing to reposition themselves as 'superfactors', wholesaling all-makes replacement parts to the aftermarket.
Do you consider yourself one of the best dealers, repairers or bodyshops? Have you launched a training or marketing campaign that deserves recognition? The AM Awards 2004 offer you opportunity to achieve that recognition.
Manchester-based Lookers has paid £2m for the property and assets of Savoy Honda Centre in Warrington.
Retailers will be at the frontline of the battle for the UK's biggest sector next year when Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen go head to head in the C-sector family hatchback market.
Vehicle manufacturers are warning they will be forced to cut volumes and raise new car prices in the UK and mainland Europe to help offset the impact of the strong Euro. They blame exchange rate fluctuations and shrinking new car demand for a downturn in profits.
Kia has introduced an all-makes used car programme across its UK dealer network. <P>
Motor industry charity BEN has appointed Gerard Barclay as its new chief executive. Barclay, who is currently business director of Walon, replaces Geoffrey Atkinson, who retires in October after 25 years with the company.
Mini has announced a host of new additions for the 2004 model year car, which goes into production on September 1.
A Denbighshire-based motor dealer partnership, trading as Chadwick and Smedley and as Celtic Cars, has had its application for a renewal of a consumer credit licence refused by the Office of Fair Trading.
Kwik-Fit Fleet has become the exclusive supplier of replacement tyres to Motability customers through its 750-strong network.
Hyundai has appointed five new sales and service dealers to its UK network.
The Institute of the Motor Industry has renewed its call for vehicle technicians to be licensed following a High Court ruling of negligence against a Manchester garage.
Standox has issued a wake-up call to bodyshops, urging the industry to switch from solvent-based paints to waterborne products well in advance of new European environmental legislation.
Unsafe garages and bodyshops could be forced to close their doors after health and safety officers announced they are considering a nationwide blitz on vehicle service and repair businesses.
Producers of the BBC2 TV show I'll show them who's boss are looking for a family-run business to feature in its next trouble-shooting series.
