Lada, which unveiled a two-seater roadster concept at Moscow Motor Show, wants to make a come-back in the UK. Spokesman Vladimir Artsykov said: "If anyone can find us a UK importer, we will talk to them."
Motor insurance premiums are set to rise by 25% this year, according to a report by Mintel. The market researcher angered body repairers by blaming much of the increase on "sharply rising" labour rates, combined with high parts costs and personal injury claims.
Volkswagen Group UK has resumed advertising for sponsored retailers as it bids to "improve and ring fence quality operators" for its dealer network. Dale Wyatt, VW's UK development ventures manager, said further opportunities had arisen within the Volkswagen Group - also including the Audi, Skoda and Seat marques - as a result of dealer group mergers and the closure of some loss-making businesses.
National Franchised Dealers Association director Alan Pulham believes Mercedes-Benz's price cuts "could be the first major brick in the prices wall which is coming down". He said the decision by Mercedes to move its entry price below £13,000 was significant. It priced the A-class in competition with Vauxhall Astra and Peugeot 306.
Interleasing is offering to source cars from the Continent to save its customers money. The UK's largest independent contract hire and leasing company is telling fleet managers they can save up to £7,000 a vehicle over a three-year term. More than 300 companies have responded and more than 60 orders have already been placed.
Proton, which owns Lotus, has confirmed talks with Rover about future joint ventures and new model development. The Malaysian carmaker's move could throw a lifeline to Rover which desperately needs a cash-rich partner.
Mercedes-Benz dealers in the South-east say imports from Europe were "threatening the whole infrastructure" of the company in the UK before price cuts were announced. A Mercedes spokesman said around 15% of all new Mercedes registered this year were likely to have come from continental dealers.
Sainsbury's is "dipping a toe in the water" with its Bank Drive finance package for its supermarket shoppers, said Professor Garel Rhys of Cardiff Business School. "Asda had some success selling cars years ago but Sainsbury's might be overtaken by events," said Prof Rhys.
A used car dealer is fighting attempts by BMW Financial Services to claim back a P-registered 328 convertible worth more than £20,000. Tony Gilbert Cars, of Napton, Warwks, took the car in part exchange in March 1999 after an HPI check showed it was 'clean'. In fact the car had been funded on hire purchase with BMW Financial Services.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has called on the Government to oppose the European Commission's clause on car recycling that makes carmakers responsible for funding the scrapping of all vehicles. The End of Life Vehicle directive, announced during the summer, will initially require carmakers to pay "all or a significant part" of the cost of recycling/scrapping cars registered after March 1, 2002.
A 30-year cover-up of vehicle defects has been admitted by Mitsubishi Motors in Japan. The share price dropped on the announcement, designed to put an end to questions about the company's quality control.
Quartic Motor Group has restructured its board of directors as it gears up for expansion following the completion of its three Ford customer market areas in March.
Proton has appointed Mike Unsworth as national sales manager as it prepares for the launch early next year of the GX, described as "the franchise's most significant development for at least half a dozen years".
TWR Jaguar, part of the Sytner Group, has appointed Alex Matschy as general sales manager at the Cumnor Hill, Oxford, dealership. The newly-created position is designed to strengthen TWR Jaguar's management team.
BP Amoco's recent re-branding is likely to have an impact on the marketing of its range of lubricants and a decision about their future is expected by the end of the year. The move to a single brand follows an £80bn series of mergers and acquisitions over the past two years bringing together the former British Petroleum, Amoco Corporation, Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) and, most recently, Burmah Castrol.
BP has launched a new range of fully synthetic engine oils called BP Visco 7000 0W/40 and 0W/30. Both oils were developed in partnership with VW. The Visco 7000 0W/40 offers greater protection for high performance engines while the 0W/30 oil is for economy motoring.
Dealer groups across the UK are making use of Esso training initiatives to improve staff sales skills and top up on lubricants sales.
Chairman Chris Trotman has pledged "to do business in the right way" after leading a management buy out of Direct Valeting. Mr Trotman won back control of his car preparation business from Direct Auto Services, two years after he sold it to the group. Neither company changed its name.
Managing director Alec Colvin-Smith has appointed two senior managers at North Eastern Land Rover as he looks toward developing other areas of the business, both motor and non-motor related.
Franchised dealers are responsible for a surge in unofficial imports from mainland Europe and Japan as they bid to win back customer confidence with promises of cheaper cars. The British Independent Motor Trade Association predicts that around 140,000 new cars sold in the UK this year will be sourced from mainland Europe.
Mitsubishi Motors UK has completed its internal restructuring programme with the appointment of two general managers and a new director of aftersales.
Employer-provided cars are younger, replaced more often and so ensure new, cleaner technology is used in significant volumes more quickly, says the latest Lex Fleet 2000 Report.
A new market research organisation has branded the findings of the highly regarded JD Power/Top Gear customer satisfaction survey as "highly susceptible to fiddling".
Vauxhall and Renault will unveil the latest van developed as part of project X83, the joint light commercials venture, at the Frankfurt LCV show on September 23. Vauxhall will call its version the Vivaro while Renault will stick with the Trafic name, which has been used since 1980.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has pre-empted growing competition from the likes of Renault and Vauxhall with a series of special offers on its Transporter and LT35 ranges. The Transporter is available with a choice of free servicing, one of five accessory packs or 0% or low rate finance until the end of the year.
Vauxhall is extending Network Q, its used car programme, to include a comprehensive van scheme. Network Q vans will be sold through participating Vauxhall Van Centres, up to a total of 195 sites nationwide. So far 40 centres are operating the scheme.
Nissan has signed a deal to put between 40-50 used cars a month onto Auto Online's business-to-business internet site. Remarketing manager Jon Pollock said Nissan was always looking to develop and exploit new routes to market.
Manheim Auctions has made its site in Mansfield, Notts, a franchised dealer-only sales centre to cope with growing demand from dealer groups in the Midlands.
Ken Thorne Cars is set to open a third World of Cars superstore later this year as it embarks on a 12-month expansion programme.
Hopes that fleet managers would take a positive lead on raising the profile of alternative fuels have been dashed by The Lex Fleet 2000 Report. Many have refused to consider other options, it reveals, despite their environmental and financial benefits. A review of fleet managers showed 73% of fleets had not thought of switching from petrol or diesel.
