<hr> <b>Kevin Brown</b>, market manager at Valeo Service, says garages will only take full advantage of the profit-making potential of air conditioning system maintenance if it becomes a standard element of the annual service. <hr><p>
Ford has moved into direct retailing for the first time in its UK history after buying 11 of the 12 Quartic Group solus franchise sites it put into administrative receivership in October.
GM has begun evaluating a Suzuki-built mini-SUV for possible sale in the UK and Europe. The car, which is sold in Japan, south-east Asia and Australia as the Cruze – with Chevrolet and Holden badges – is based on the Suzuki Ignis, but features revised suspension, larger diameter wheels and a four-wheel drive powertrain.
Lloyds TSB Asset Finance Division has bought the Dutton-Forshaw Group – listed at No 18 in the AM100 – for a cash consideration of £48.7m.
Hartwell Automotive Group has ambitions to join the AM100 billionaires' club after buying seven Ford dealerships from Arriva. The sites in Chippenham, Halifax, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Swindon and two in Nottingham represent three territories.
Fiat Auto has reported 2002 fourth quarter losses of 200m euros after previous forecasts suggested the struggling carmaker would break even.
Lloyds TSB and HBOS continue to be the frontrunners among the six potential bidders for First National Bank, the Abbey National subsidiary which includes First National Motor Finance, according to today's Financial Times.
Dixon Motors has offloaded its highly regarded Car Clinics accident repair division to Bikenet, the failed online motorcycle retailer.
Car production rose 9.1 per cent in 2002, to 1,628,020 units, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.The ONS says the rise was fuelled by a 17.1 per cent jump in exports, representing more than 150,000 additional cars, compared to 2001.
Claims that supermarkets will not enter car retailing because margins are too low are based on a myth, according to a leading analyst. However, he still believes few companies will consider entering the sector because it doesn't sit well with their methods of operating.
MG Rover hopes to appease retailers who have been calling for a new small car after agreeing a supply deal with Indian industrial giant Tata.
General Motors may possibly re-badge Daewoos in the US and other target markets as a precursor to a major sales expansion for the South Korean car business. GM plans to increase Daewoo sales by a third from 30,000 to 50,000 units by 2004.
New EU rules to counter money laundering through businesses will heap extra costs on the motor retail sector, the Retail Motor Industry Federation has warned.
Fiat Group and GM executives are to meet this week to discuss further cooperation to bolster the failing Fiat Auto business. According to Friday's Wall Street Journal, Fiat chiefs are likely to ask GM to flesh out chief exec Rick Wagoner's recent statement that the US giant carmaker would help “in any way it can”.
CD Bramall has purchased Boreham Wood-based aftermarket parts business Perrys Distribution Services for £5m. The dealer group plans to merge the company into its Quickco network.
Citroen is pitching its new C8 people carrier at the executive company car market as well as at the private buyer looking for a large family vehicle.
Hyundai is to launch a new version of the Accent on 1 February – and claims the model will feature improved performance, a higher specification and improved styling.
Blackpool-based sportscar maker TVR is one of the companies late filing their accounts, according to a report on AutoWired today. TVR is one of the companies listed as overdue at Companies House in London. The accounts were due in October.
Reg Vardy Group has announced a restructuring of its operating divisions in order to streamline systems to cope with a planned 53 per cent increase in its dealer network this year.
The third Fiat restructuring plan – put forward by Italian financier Emilio Gnutti this week – has a strong “political” element which could help beat off the rival offering by entrepeneur Roberto Colaninno.
Pressings producer Luton-based Cardale Engineering has gone into receivership. The company, which supplies a number of manufacturers and tier one suppliers, cites unrealistic car manufacturer prices and overseas competition for its demise.
Pushy, dishonest, uncaring: does this apply to your salesforce? According to the findings of research into the buying habits of the over-50s, the descriptions are apt.
Creditor banks' plans to spin off Fiat Auto, together with suggestions of a reduced role for General Motors in a revamped restructuring package, may have gone some way to remove GM jitters – and stave off a potential lawsuit – over the put option.
The MVRA had advised all MoT test stations to make sure their calibrated equipment, including diesel smoke meters, brake testers and exhaust gas analysers, are checked within the 12-month time frame required by the Vehicle Inspectorate.
The MVRA has established a specialist call centre for motor claims handling. The 24-hr service enables the association to offer a full range of accident management services.
Bromsgrove-based Fuel Parts is offering a five-year warranty on its branded catalytic converters. The company claims it is a first for the industry.
Lexus has announced plans for a new hybrid engine which will add performance to the technology's noted economy. The system will be offered in the new Lexus RX four-wheel drive model and will arrive on the North American market in about two years.
The Nick Whale Group has added Honda Cars to its franchise portfolio with the acquisition of the Honda Car Centre in Halesowen. And the expanding West Midlands group is set to announce “further developments” in Birmingham City Centre.
The RMI's training arm ReMIT now has a quality director, a new position intended to improve standards within the organisation.
Don't forget to book your place at AM's important aftermarket conference <b>Aftermarket: the £14bn prize</b>. The event, which has the key objective of helping you secure your slice of the business in the aftermath of the block exemption changes, is to be held at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, on 26 March 2003.
