Toyota announced today that operating profit for the first half of the year rose 35% to 506.6 billion yen (£2.9 billion). Net profit was up 82%, to 291.11 billion yen (£1.7 billion).
The first apprentices from a prison-based aftersales training initiative set up three years ago by Toyota GB are starting to look for employment after successful graduation.
With increasing numbers of direct lenders coming onto the market, motor dealers are being urged to offer more in their finance packages.
The results of a nationwide competition to reward best practice among staff at Vauxhall Approved Accident Repair Centres have been announced.
Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors has appointed a new operations director, Paul Hegarty, with responsibility for developing the UK franchise's sales and dealer network.
A survey by Automotive Management's sister-title Fleet News analysing the reliability of 620,000 vehicles reveals that the Honda Accord and Toyota Avensis are the most reliable company cars on the road.
Benfield Nissan has become the first business in Newcastle to secure Government grant status for liquified petroleum gas vehicle conversions.
Used cooking fat from fast food restaurants could be used to power cars as a cheap and clean alternative to petrol and diesel, a new report claims.
Dealers are investing in surveillance equipment and vehicle tracking systems to protect their showrooms from theft and vandalism.
Manufacturer finance houses are starting to fight back against direct lenders and high street banks after several months of losing market share.
Lloyds TSB has defended its decision to launch an online car sales operation despite an apparent conflict of interest with existing subsidiary Black Horse, the UK's largest dealer-based motor finance business.
Mazda Europe president Jan Brentebraten is urging dealers to help the company shake off an "ageing, middle of the road" product image and demonstrate its rediscovered driving dynamics and interior quality.
Sarah Sillars will become Institute of the Motor Industry chief executive from January, when Peter Creasey retires. Ms Sillars, previously operations director at automotive consultancy Anne Gray Associates, intends to spearhead a number of reforms.
Future production agreements at Nissan's Sunderland plant, including a contract to build Renault models, hinge on the strength of the pound against the euro, according to executive vice president Patrick Pelata.
Major changes at the top of Ford Motor Company - including reorganisation of its Premier Automotive Group - this week created waves of concern and speculation about the futures of top executives.
BMW Financial Services Group and Alphabet, its mu;lti-marque leasing company, united for an invitation-only sale at BCA Nottingham which saw 330 cars offered to 213 registered buyers. 305 cars were sold, equivalent to a 92.5% conversion rate.
Internet and email is becoming an essential business tool for independent service and repair garages, according to the results of a survey by the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).
John Clark, chairman and managing director of the John Clark Motor Group, is this week to urge the Government to give more support to training in the industry.
The DVLA has hit back at accusations that a loophole in the law is allowing potentially danagerous cars back on the roads and accuses salvage operators of being the cause of the problem.
The UK auto aftermarket could be hit by more than 7,000 job losses in the UK next year - and the economic uncertainty of the last few months is not entirely to blame.
LeasePlan has been declared the largest contract hire and leasing company in the UK. It tops the 2001 FN50, launched last night by AM's sister title Fleet News at a dinner at London's Café Royal.
BMW says the economic impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US is 'manageable' and it will meet its financial targets for the 2001 financial year.
Rolls-Royce and Bentley Motor Cars has announced that chief executive Tony Gott would - by mutual consent - be leaving the company 'to pursue new challenges'.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is predicting that 2001 will be a record year for the new car market after October registrations rose 20.7% to an all-time high of 185,325 units – the fifth record month of 2001.
Results from the latest auctions by BCA, Manheim and Motorauctions Leeds.
The prospect of a commercially viable fuel cell powered car has come a step closer with a new record set for a 24-hour endurance run.
One of the UK's largest car supermarkets is introducing schemes for drivers taking a cash alternative to a company car.
Lance Bradley has been appointed divisional director sales operations forMitsuishi Motors UK. He joined the company in September last year from Ford as general manager sales operations.
Land Rover's Solihull plant has started production of North American specification Freelanders. Sales start in the USA and Canada in December.
Volkswagen is expected to announce the departure next month of Franz-Josef Paefgen, the Audi chief executive amid criticism of his strategy for the premium brand by VW chairman Ferdinand Piech.
