Harrogate based Meridian Motor Group has acquired Springfield Toyota in Bridlington, Yorkshire, for an undisclosed sum.
Ford of Britain pre-registered more vehicles than any other car company in the UK during 2004, giving the blue oval’s sales an £11.4m boost in gross revenue.
Ford Retail Europe is launching an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in vehicle sales later this month in a move aimed at developing high achievers at its dealerships.
Retailer group Dutton-Forshaw, listed at No 26 in the AM100, continues its policy of expansion by acquisition by buying five more dealerships.
General Motors is recalling more than 193,000 vehicles on the US market to fix a variety of safety defects, including brake problems, US federal safety regulators said today.
Renault will reveal its new upper-range urban vehicle the Z17 concept at the Geneva Motor Show next month.
The new Citroën C6 will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1.
Springfield Honda’s dealership in Newcastle is being split into two new outlets which will be located on the east and west sides of the city.
Vauxhall will unveil its second generation Zafira at the Geneva Motor Show next month (March 3-13).
Lookers says it will continue to aim for growth in the used car and aftermarket sectors, following its £8.5m acquisition of the Bristol Trade Centre, one of the UK’s leading car supermarkets.
The Network of 4x4 Specialists has been launched today, which offers 4x4 drivers service and repair options.
Lance Owen Group has opened a £1m all-makes aftersales centre in Surrey which has gained authorised repairer status for all General Motors’ UK brands.
Brian Spratt, chief executive of the Automotive Distribution Federation, met with officials in Brussels last week to lobby for Europe-wide liberalisation of the manufacture of independent aftermarket body panels.
Siemens VDO Automotive has signed an agreement with test equipment manufacturer Hartridge to develop specialist common-rail diesel engine services for the aftermarket.
Air-conditioning systems supplier Calsonic Kansei is to move its headquarters from Llanelli, Wales, to Paris in order to be nearer its clients, the company has announced.
Euro Car Parts has signed a deal with OE filter manufacturer Hengst to become its exclusive distributor in the UK.
The issue of whether carmakers can specify servicing techniques is under investigation following a complaint from a Smart owner who was told non-franchised work would invalidate the vehicle’s warranty.
On January 1, 1997, the Second EC Directive on the Driving Licence brought about changes in the entitlement to tow trailers.
The days of the Primera and Almera are numbered as Nissan reconfirms its direction as a manufacturer of niche, 4x4, pick-up and lifestyle vehicles with the announcement of a new mini-MPV and a compact crossover vehicle for its Sunderland plant.
The Financial Services Authority has more than doubled the size of its inspection team to around 400 staff and has vowed to go crack down on unauthorised firms.
SsangYong has begun giving its dealers specialist off-road training to help boost sales of the Rexton 4x4.
The Qashqai concept, now codenamed P32L and to be built in Sunderland from next year, was revealed at the Geneva show in March 2004.
Hyundai has closed a gap in its UK dealer map with the appointment of Seafield Motors at Inverness as its most northerly mainland outlet.
Lotus and Lexus have both announced top management changes. Steve Settle replaces Karl Schlicht as director of Lexus. Clive Dopson becomes managing director of Lotus Cars.
Scotland’s oldest established motor group, Macrae & Dick, has opened a new Jaguar showroom at Inverness to serve the Highlands and Islands.
Ringways Motor Group has opened the first showroom-only Ford main dealership in the UK.
Daihatsu expects to open at least seven more outlets in 2005 as it continues a recruitment drive which saw it gain 40 dealerships last year.
Here are the finalists for the AM Awards 2005 – congratulations to all the companies shortlisted.
Land Rover’s technician apprenticeship programme has been commended by the Learning and Skills Council following a record intake of 430 apprentices.
DaimlerChrysler has announced that its group profits have risen but revealed a collapse in profits for its luxury marque, Mercedes.
