Nissan has announced the early retirement of Ian Milburn CBE, deputy managing director of its European technology centre based in Cranfield, UK. He will leave at the end of the month.
MG Rover has been chosen as the sole supplier to the John Menzies Group. In a contract worth £11m at showroom prices, MG Rover, in partnership with Arnold Clark Finance, will supply up to 1,000 cars over 3 years to John Menzies and associated companies. This is the largest fleet deal won by MG Rover since its formation.
The Government is glowing 'green' by suggesting tougher car recycling laws than elsewhere in Europe. In a limp response, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said it was “disappointed to say the least”.
In a press release James Muir said his appointment as managing director of Mazda Motors UK was “a fascinating opportunity”. Others might say he has put his career on the line by accepting it.
Cap's latest (July) Used Car Confidence Index shows that over a third of dealers think that the new registration plate system will make sales harder when cars come on to the used market.
The motor retail industry is predicting bumper new car sales in September. After initial fears that consumers would not understand there was a new number-plate format, the hype has started to build and order banks are looking good.
Banks and direct lenders have not yet responded to the latest cut in bank base rates. After all, it was not long ago that economists were predicting the next rate rise would be up. With more cuts now forecast, they are likely to wait a while before making a positive move.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest that heavy promotion of finance offers is bringing new car customers back into the showrooms. Not only are sales running well ahead of last year (and ahead of two years ago before the 'Rip-off Britain' campaign broke) but figures from the Finance and Leasing Association show new car point-of-sale finance is increasing.
AM-online, the website of Automotive Management, next month launches a survey to monitor the changing fortunes of the UK new car market.
An award winning scheme to give young people a formal qualification in vehicle selling is to be rolled out nationally after a successful pilot programme in Manchester.
It is now only a matter of days until the new registration plate format comes into effect. However new car advertising incorporating the new identifiers has been conspicuous by its absence.
Many factors affect the used car market but they are often of little consideration to company car drivers. As mentioned in previously Monitor columns, good fuel consumption is vital to many used car buyers, as they are often working to a tight budget.
Inchcape has announced a link between Direct, its dealer group remarketing division, and online subsidiary Autobytel to sell ex-fleet, leasing and rental cars via the internet.
Manheim Europe is gearing up for a surge in business from part-exchange vehicles in September as the new registration system creates strong demand for new cars.
Consumers are reluctant to switch from browsing to buying cars on the internet for fear of “taking home a lemon”, according to independent stock locator CarsAlive.
Used car dealers generally fair poorly in mystery shopping exercises. The spotlight often falls on their failure to grasp the benefits of selling finance packages.
Reports of a slow-down in the retail market have been backed by Manheim Auctions. New car orders for the new September plate will provide franchised dealers with an abundance of 'nearly new' carsn and as a result they have been visibly absent from auction halls.
Many manufacturers are coming down from their ivory towers and working in partnership with those in the used car market. They have realised that they need to do more to support the market and those selling used vehicles, says Martin Ward, Cap Network national research manager.
Former Nissan senior executive Sir Ian Gibson is to lead a team advising the Government of the likely shape of the UK motor industry in five to 15 years.
Carmakers have been warned the Government will press ahead with the introduction of tough recyling legislation next year despite warning it could force them into insolvency.
Cash-rich Inchcape, celebrating an 85% rise in first half pre-tax UK profits to £52.5m, will spend £60m on doubling the size of its premium British retail network.
Leading Ford dealers are to be encouraged to help Mazda reorganise its UK network by taking some territories and installing shared facilities to cut costs.
General Motors is likely to copy Ford's Premier Automotive Group by putting its luxury brands together.
Inchcape is considering selling its 40% stake in MCL Group after the company lost its Mazda import and distribution business in the UK. MCL continues to represent Kia Cars from its offices in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Land Rover is pioneering a scheme to create closer links between its dealers and the assembly plant to improve product quality.
Automotive Management has teamed up with Grant Thornton Motor Retail to arrange for UK motor industry professionals to attend next year's American dealer convention in New Orleans (February 2-5).
