Dealer management systems specialist DCS Automotive, part of the DCS Group, is undergoing extensive restructuring, including job cuts, to provide a solid platform for IT product and service launches planned for next year. Stephen Yapp, appointed DCS Group chief executive a year ago, has been assessing which areas of the business to sell or downsize.
Mercedes-Benz is the second manufacturer to withdraw from this year's Birmingham motor show, although Chrysler, Jeep and Smart will be there. It joins BMW, which announced its decision last year. The company says it has decided to channel resources to other customer events during the year, including equestrian pursuits like the Blenheim horse trials.
Ambitious plans by Ford's Premier Automotive Group to maximise distribution efficiencies in Europe are unlikely to please everyone.The new Common PAG Brands Unit will lead to a network of multi-brand superdealers selling Volvos, Land Rovers and Jaguars - and maybe Aston Martins. National sales organisations for the brands could also be merged into a single PAG operation.
General Motors intends to establish a new sales operation for Daewoo in the UK, casting doubt over the future of the Rickmansworth head office after completing the £277m ($400m) purchase of the South Korean carmaker.
Skoda is on target to crack 40,000 sales in the new car market this year - two years ahead of schedule - as the company transforms customers' perceptions. Its new flagship, ambitiously named Superb, aims to be the final link that finally dispels the old jokes about Skoda quality.
EasyCar, the daily rental firm, has struck a car supply deal with Vauxhall in a move that signals the end of its exclusive contract with Mercedes-Benz. Four hundred Vauxhall Corsas will be available to rent from the EasyCar site at Earl's Court, London from May 28.
Mini is recalling hundreds of cars because of suspension problems. The recall of 600 Mini Coopers and Mini Ones registered in the UK was ordered after technicians discovered ball joints on some models could become loose.
Former Ford European brand manager Ian Twinley has been appointed group chairman at John Grose Group, the East Anglian Ford specialist. He replaces owner John Grose who is retiring after 29 years heading the family-run business.
From Wilmslow in Cheshire to San Juan Capistrano, southern California, via Munich and Paris, Aston Martin is preparing an exclusive global retail network in anticipation of annual production volumes reaching 5000 cars by 2005.
BMW is urging dealers to expand their aftersales facilities or set up satellite operations to absorb mounting demand for servicing and repairs. But the company says it is also prepared to approve independent operations in areas where dealers are not willing to make the necessary investment, as long as they meet its standards of service.
Proton is stepping up its dealer development strategy in preparation for a range of all-new models powered by engines being developed at the company's R&D centre in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
European Motor Holdings is looking to make several acquisitions this year to strengthen its relationships with key partners including BMW, VW/Audi and Premier Automotive Group brands.It has built up a substantial war chest, which will be boosted this year by an estimated £4m territory release payment from Daimler-Chrysler for terminating EMH's London dealers.
A new internet-based company says it can persuade drivers to opt out of traditional company car schemes by tracking down appropriate new and nearly new vehicles from main dealers.
Automotive retailers are set to face increased demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles because of escalating petrol prices, new research suggests. Independent monitor CarPriceCheck says sales of liquefied petroleum gas vehicles have risen by 31 per cent since the beginning of March.
BCA is working on closely guarded plans to develop and expand its auction network. “BCA has on the drawing board plans for the development of a new supercentre at one of the most accessible and strategically important locations in the country,” says customer affairs director Tom Madden.
Motorhouse 2000, one of the UK's largest car supermarkets, is preparing for expansion driven by strong financial results for its second year of trading.<P>
Sunwin Motor Group has posted record profits of £1.9m, up 41.7 per cent, on turnover of £145.6m underlining the buoyancy of last year's new car market.<P>
Aston Martin's revival of links with Italian specialist coachbuilder, Zagato, to jointly build a lightweight, aluminium two-seater coupe demonstrates Dr Ulrich Bez's belief that there is a future in the past for 'super exclusive' limited production run models.<P>
Efforts to make the new car ownership experience more satisfactory for consumers have paid off, new research suggests.
Soaring sales of new cars over the past two years have forced Citroen to reassess its aftersales strategy in order to alleviate pressure on its dealer network. The carmaker has developed a three-pronged line of attack, incorporating workshops, bodyshops and service contracts, to help dealers satisfy growing customer demand for aftersales services.
The MVRA has been forced to drop the word 'association' from its name after a challenge from an anonymous organisation in the motor industry.
Exide Technologies, the world's leading producer of vehicle batteries, has applied for bankruptcy protection.
Universal Salvage has suffered a major blow with the loss of its lucrative Direct Line contract, causing its share price to plummet by more than 50 per cent. In a trading update, the car disposal specialist said its contract with Direct Line will end on June 30, 2002.
Prospect Group Europe, the Birmingham-based repairer resurrected from the remains of Burntwood Accident Repair Centre, has appointed receivers Poppleton & Appleby after work providers withdrew business.
A new one-stop shop has been launched by the Danish garage equipment supplier Stenhoj to provide a dedicated service operation to the UK's automotive workshop and equipment industry.<
The RMI has published the first in a series of guides for bodyshops to help them prepare accurate estimates on the Audatex system. The move, in consultation with Audatex, follows repairer discord over the lack of a pearlescents paints option.
US battery manufacturer Johnson Controls has appointed Julian Revington to spearhead its growth in the British aftermarket sector.In the newly created role of UK general manager he will be responsible for the company's home market operations, including the sale and distribution of OEM and aftermarket batteries.
An all new range of Rotary two-post lifts is to be launched through the Trade Garage Equipment group.<P>
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is set to become one of the most influential players in the UK retail motor industry after making a dramatic £110m bid for Dixon Motors.
French bank BNP Paribas has emerged as a leading candidate to buy Kwik-Fit from Ford. The bank's PAI subsidiary is understood to have made a £600m offer for Kwik-Fit, which was put up for sale by Ford in December 2001.
