Isuzu has cut prices on some of its Rodeo pick-up models by up to £2,562.
The head of DaimlerChrysler's Chrysler division has borrowed a phrase from rapper Snoop Dogg to thank the US-based Motor Trend magazine – edited by former AM editor, Angus MacKenzie– for naming the Chrysler 300 its 2005 ‘car of the year’.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation is urging chancellor of the exchequer, Gordon Brown, to reconsider fuel duty in his pre-budget statement, due next week.
Donalds Motor Group has opened its third Mazda dealership in the East of England.
TRW is in the advanced stages of planning a network of premium service centres.
Sovereign Rotating Electrics, the remanufacturing company that went into receivership in early October after the failure of Lucas SRE, has been re-launched.
Bodyshop network ABS is to be acquired by insurance claims group Aquilo in a £1.7m deal.
The Bodyshop AM50, published in this issue (see page 27), lists 25 independent bodyshop groups and 11 franchised dealer bodyshops.
Poor communications between the sales reception and bodyshop could be costing retailers up to £1m profit a year in lost sales and repairs.
Workers at the Dynamex Friction plant in north Wales have won their case for unfair dismissal following its re-emergence as a phoenix company last year.
F&I specialist Compliancy Services has urged the automotive retail sector to take immediate action following figures from the Financial Services Authority.
MG Rover is on the verge of a £1bn investment deal for a majority share with the Shanghai Automotive Corporation (SAIC) that will help secure the future of its giant Longbridge plant.
Caterham’s all-new version of its Seven, the CSR has had 100 orders after one month since launch.
Bob Lutz, GM vice-chairman for product development and chairman, GM North America, General Motors Corporation, today announced plans to re-introduce the Cadillac brand and launch the new Corvette brand into the UK.
Audi has launched a new 2.7 TDI engine which will be added to its A6 saloon range this month.
Volvo has added a 2.5 litre engine (2.5T) to its XC90 range.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is calling on the Chancellor to leave company car tax legislation alone, provide greater duty incentives for cleaner fuels, not increase Vehicle Excise Duty - and urges the Treasury to reduce the cost and administrative burden of new regulations.
Motor retail finance house GE Capital Woodchester is to centralise its sales administration operation at Leeds.
Thomas Weber, DaimlerChrysler’s director of research, has revealed that Mercedes-Benz will be the first manufacturer to introduce radar systems to its current range in mid-2005.
John Kiff, a director of the International Car Distribution Programme (ICDP) and his brother Robert have entered LE JOG rally in their 1959 VW Beetle Okrasa.
Chancellor Gordon Brown has been urged to introduce a range of measures to combat global warming in his pre-Budget statement next month.
Hyundai has a new-look website totally redesigned and at a new address, www.hyundai.co.uk.
The publication of the Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) five year plan, 'Creating wealth from knowledge', has been welcomed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Skoda will boost its range in 2005.
Derek Cook, who runs Virgin Cars, is consulting lawyers over a “completely untrue” allegation on Watchdog, the BBC1 consumer affairs programme, about a separate business.
The FSA says dealers still have time to gain approval to sell insurance products after ‘GI’ Day (general insurance day on January 14, 2005).
Scottish used car retailer Allianze Group has paid £600,000 to acquire the Car Connections website.
BMW GB managing director Jim O’Donnell has blasted the forthcoming FSA regulations as a “complete farce” that will add cost and complication to the insurance market and could force some repairers to close.
Mini retailers can expect delivery waiting times to increase, despite the fact that the Oxford production will squeeze out an additional 15,000 units this year, taking total production to 190,000.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring 10% of new cars sold will be low carbon – less than 100g/km CO2 – by 2012.
