Honda is to switch 3dr Civic production from Japan to its Swindon plant, according to reports in the Japanese press. The carmaker, which currently makes 4dr and estate Civic models at Swindon, is due to launch the new Civic next month.
Rover Cars plans to be building up to nine models across the Rover and MG brands at its Longbridge factory by the end of next year. The multi-brand strategy will give the company an intensive, low cost production facility. Guy Pigounakis, Rover commercial director, revealed the company has at least three new MG cars “at the design concept stage” and hopes to have the first new model in showrooms by late spring of next year. A fourth MG model is still under consideration.
Fleet drivers' expectations of lower benefit-in-kind tax bills could be dashed because of the way manufacturers approach price cuts. HSBC Vehicle Finance managing director Tim Holmes warned that although special offers were pushing down prices for private buyers, list prices could go relatively unaffected.
Up-front fleet discounts could be reduced with companies receiving other benefits to make up the cash difference as manufacturers seek to keep in check dealer buying terms following publication of the Supply of New Cars Order 2000.
Society of Motor Manufacturers Traders' chief executive Christopher Macgowan welcomed this week's prices statement by Stephen Byers, saying it would end months of uncertainty.
Alan Pulham, National Franchiseds Dealer Assocation director is forecasting a multi-faceted motor retail sector within five years, based on dealer networks.
Juan Jose Diaz-Ruiz, credited with much of Toyota's recent success in Europe, has joined Fiat Auto as marketing and sales executive vice president.
A Peugeot fleet task-force will call potential customers direct, rather than taking business through dealers in a strategy to double sales to small and medium-size fleets by 2003.
Pendragon is to lose its monopoly of M25 Fiat dealerships with Nissan specialist Glyn Hopkin first to move on the vacant dealership territories.
Horners, the Greater Manchester multi-franchised group, this week supported the 'Dump the Pump' campaign to force down filling station prices.
Continuing concerns over falling residual values and the rising costs of motoring have lead to 'downsizing' - a trend that has benefited the supermini sector in recent times.
International Motors is launching approved used car schemes for its Subaru and Isuzu operations designed to maintain high levels of customer service and boost dealer profits.
Dealers are increasingly using the internet to source nearly new vehicles, but remain reluctant to purchase online, according to Greenhous Remarketing Services.
Avis Europe's e-commerce website has gone live in partnership with Navidec, the US online service provider.
The AA is urging buyers to “grill” used car retailers or risk purchasing unroadworthy or clocked vehicles.
Although the market is depressed there is a real shortage of the kind of two-to-five year-old cars that have historically come in the form of part-exchanges. It is quite apparent in the auction halls as well as when you talk to dealers.
Manheim Auctions has expanded into Scotland through a joint venture with the Scottish Motor Auction Group.
Organisers promise that the Commercial Vehicle Show 2001 will be even better than this year's record-breaking event.
The last of the classic Transits has been driven off the production line at Ford's Southampton plant, making way for the all-new model.
The traditional 'stock-push' system has given car manufacturers a method that allows them to minimise the cost of production.
Mitsubishi Motors UK has this month dropped the price of parts for grey and parallel imports by 20% as it seeks to lower the cost of car ownership for all customers.
Mitsubishi has set up an affinity deal with Cox Insurance for its new and used models. which promises to undercut insurance quotes by £10.
Inchcape this week agreed to sell its 49% stake in Toyota (GB) back to parent company Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) for £42.1m, subject to EC approval. Last year, the division contributed £5m to Inchcape's pre-tax profits.
Autotrader.co.uk aims to help franchised dealers' raise new and used car sales with a series of online product launches.
North-east LCV dealer Patterson Ford has sent its technicians back to school to learn about the new Ford Transit.
Retail Motor Industry Federation officials are to meet Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers this autumn to discuss the review of Block Exemption which, according to EC officials, has failed to work in the way intended.
Nissan's decision on whether to build the new Micra at its Sunderland plant remains in the balance following this week's meeting between its president Carlos Ghosn and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
An American dealer group has linked with UK training specialist BTC to give car retailers the chance to take on newcomers such as Virgin Cars and Autobytel.
Accident Assistance has launched a new service for commercial vehicle drivers involved in non-fault accidents. Commercial Accident Care offers drivers the opportunity to stay mobile if their vehicle is forced off the road for repairs.
Maserati is seeking three more dealers in the next phase of its UK development as a subsidiary of Ferrari with the intention of trebling sales to 1,000 a year.
