Values of the Vauxhall Omega have fallen dramatically - so much so, that supermini money now buys this big, comfortable saloon.
The market has been unpredictable over the summer. No sooner were dealers and traders reporting a deathly quiet time then along would come a sale where buyers were falling over themselves competing for stock. This continued through August as the market prepared for the September bonanza and the huge influx of part-exchanges due then.
Record numbers of companies in the UK's automotive parts and accessories industry are losing money and sales as the battle for aftermarket share heats up, according to a new report.
Garage staff are almost as clueless about engine lubricants as the customers whose cars they service, a vehicle parts supplier claims.
The bodyshop struggle to identify and match paint codes could soon be consigned to the past, thanks to an advanced IT solution being developed by Spies Hecker.<
The Internet offers a major opportunity for dealers to add value for fleet customers
Peugeot is to create 700 new jobs at its UK car plant at Ryton, near Coventry - increasing the workforce to about 3700.
Dealers can improve profitability and customer loyalty by offering a range of competitive insurance and finance products, a leading insurance and finance provider says.
Nidd Vale Group has opened a £3.2m Mercedes-Benz sales and service centre in York.
A warning shot has been fired at tyre retailers who illegally store and process waste tyres, after the Environment Agency prosecuted a Manchester-based firm.
Motor retail experts are expressing their amazement that Ford has sold Kwik-Fit to CVC Capital Partners for just £330m after buying the company for over £1bn three years ago.
Porsche Cars Great Britain has awarded Group Tyre an exclusive contract to supply OE stock to its UK retailers.
Aerospace and automotive engineering giant GKN has announced a five per cent fall in first-half profits before tax, goodwill amortisation and exceptional items. Compared with the same period in 2001, profits were down by £7m to £136m.
Maranello Sales, the Ferrari and Maserati retail division of Maranello Concessionaires, is set to open the world's largest service centre for the Italian sportscar marques.
Profile Glass, the automotive glass supplier, has launched a new web-based supply arm - Glass Auto.
Tony Parr has been announced as assistant general manager at shock absorber and suspension specialist Kayaba. His appointment comes as the company gears up to introduce several new products and expand into the European markets.
The European Commission is poised to publish a statement on car tax harmonisation, but initial plans to phase out registration tax have been delayed after resistance from British MEPs.
A multi-franchised showroom in Jersey could point the way forward for dealer groups in large cities and conurbations post-block exemption.
Talks between Inchcape and Tesco are ongoing, but the supermarket chain has made no decision whether to enter the car retailing sector post block exemption.
A pilot scheme for a new nationwide used car inspection service has been launched in Leeds. The Used Car Checks Centre franchised network plans to go national by the end of the year.
New car sales came back from a disappointing June to record a best ever July putting the market back on course for a record year. Last month, new car registrations were up 13.1 per cent to 195,637 beating July 2001 by 22,635 units.
Mazda has launched a new finance arm in the UK in a bid to build on its current success. Hot on the heels of the new Mazda6, Mazda Credit allows dealers to offer a range of over the counter retail products as well as fleet-focused business to business services.
Andy Carroll has been confirmed as designated managing director of the new GM Daewoo Auto and Technology (GM DAT) UK, due to be fully operational by the fourth quarter.
Proton subsidiary Lotus Engineering is to design a new niche range for a volume car manufacturer, using UK-developed technology to slash build costs.
PKF, the administrator for Jensen Motors, is poised to announce a buyer for the collapsed sportscar maker. It received two firm offers a week ago and expects to announce “further developments” this week.
Ford has sold Kwik-Fit to CVC Capital Partners, a private equity group, for a cut-price £330m, but it will retain a 19 per cent stake in the business.
Hyundai Car (UK) will next month launch a five-year/unlimited mileage, manufacturer-backed warranty as part of a strategy to boost sales by establishing a competitive edge in the aftersales market.
Budget, the world's third largest car and truck rental firm with 110 sites, has collapsed blaming a slump in business following the terrorist attacks in America on September 11.
