Several professional organisations make it their business to put market values on cars. But how can automotive retailers tell who is right and who is wrong? Tom Madden, BCA'S director, customer affairs, looks for an answer.<p>
Vehicle Remarketing Services, the new operation backed by auctions giant Manheim, is looking to fill a gap in the market for a business offering logistics and refurbishment from a single site.
Another consortium of investors is ready to make a bid to buy Jensen, the beleaguered UK sportscar manufacturer after an unnamed Home Counties millionaire failed to come up with the cash.
Delays in delivery of replacement components are costing bodyshops thousands of pounds in courtesy car bills - often way beyond the cost of repairs.
Bristol-based Smart Repairs UK plans to set up a national network after it was taken over by a rapidly expanding investment group, Clifton Group Holdings.
Reg Vardy expects to make a number of acquisitions over the new few months on the back of a “very strong” balance sheet. Speaking at the group's AGM last week, chairman Sir Peter Vardy said several dealership acquisitions had been agreed with manufacturer partners.
Moves by European taxation commissioner Frits Bolkestein to harmonise car prices across Europe by scrapping registration taxes in favour of road and fuel taxes have been thrown into doubt after a similar scheme to align beer and wine duties was shelved.
There are many conflicting reports around the trade of how new car sales have stacked up for September. If some manufacturers are to be believed then sales are on track and everything is rosy.
Values of this year's 'must have' urban wheels, the retro-styled but thoroughly modern Mini, are so buoyant that sellers are still making a killing even more than a year on.
ABS - the UK's largest network of independent bodyshops - has negotiated a national courtesy car supply deal for its 210 principal and secondary members.
Until mid-December Bosch will throw in an interior windscreen wipe with each Super Plus wiper blade part number ordered by factors and distributors, enabling them to increase incentives to garage and retail customers.
DaimlerChrysler has named Mike Belk as its new aftersales director. He succeeds Wade Hubbard as head of UK aftermarket operations - Hubbard is leaving the UK next week to return to the US after two years with the company.
Parts Plus, Ford's national network of parts whosesalers for the independent trade, has handed out hundreds of prizes - including four Kas - after is latest sales campaign.
Kia has announced “substantial revisions” to the Rio just 12 months after the car went on sale in the UK.
Federal-Mogul, the global parts supplier, is poised to rebuild its business as it gears up to present the US courts with its new financial strategy in November.
The Government has unveiled tough new measures to tackle car crime by tightening vehicle registration and licensing regulations.
Britain's accident repair industry has given a tepid reaction to a new representative body that aims to create “a climate for change which will enable members to increase their profitability to realistic levels”.
Automotive analyst MFBI claims dealers are losing vital market share to large used car outlets. Used car superstores accounted for seven per cent of all second hand vehicles sold last year while franchised dealers' share dipped to 25 per cent, according to its latest report.
Chrysler's wacky but practical PT Cruiser introduced hotrod styling to the suburban family. With prices starting to soften now there are more about in the general trade, and used buyers are looking at it as a funkier alternative to a compact MPV or family hatchback.
Rally success gave the Subaru Impreza bags of credibility, but buyers have been slow to accept the quirky looks of the current models launched in late 2000.
BASF-owned R-M Automotive Refinish - Enfield-based for more than a decade - is moving to new corporate headquarters at Didcot in south Oxfordshire.
The Vehicle Inspectorate is moving diesel smoke testing into the digital age by specifying the Bosch RTM 430 as the new smoke sampling system.
TVR is shaking up its dealer network in a bid to improve customer service and drive forward sales. So far, the carmaker has withdrawn from six prestige marque outlets as it strives to create new open points for “enthusiastic and professional entrepreneurs”.
GM Daewoo Auto & Technology (DAT) senior executives have indicated General Motors might be prepared to acquire the assets at the company's huge Bupyong plant in South Korea should “certain conditions” be met.
The Government has given its support to a scheme calling for the motor industry to have a publicly funded and wholly dedicated sector skills council.
Peugeot is asking owners of 406 saloons built after March 1999 to contact their local dealers after BBC TV's Watchdog programme revealed a problem with the boot security - an action described by the car-maker as “irresponsible”.
Fleet vehicle remarketing specialist Cars Direct scored an unexpected double at the Rockingham Motor Speedway 500 weekend.
The on-line maintenance system for lease cars developed by Oasis Global Systems is almost halfway to its planned target of being used by 2500 dealers.
Bedford Genuine Parts, the aftermarket division of the former commercial vehicle manufacturer, has appointed Amethyst Group Logistics Division to handle sourcing and supply of components.
Recent weeks have brought repeated complaints over the shortage of good quality stock in the trade and at the auction halls.
