Pendragon has increased the number of its Ferrari Maserati dealerships, with the opening of a new site at Little Aston, Sutton Coldfield, a further satellite site at Hagley near Stourbridge and relocated its Stratstone showroom to a purpose-built facility in Manchester
The future, according to most European car manufacturers, is diesel. Audi, BMW, Mercedes and even Jaguar sell growing numbers of increasingly powerful diesel-engine models. However, Porsche will not be joining them
Mercedes-Benz of Bradford has now completed its showroom refurbishment after a six-month programme of improvements
A device which stops cars speeding is being tested by British drivers, according to reports.
That old dispute about internal work reared its ugly head during a dealer visit recently. So, should internal work carried out for the sales department be charged at retail or discounted? Should internal parts, and especially accessories, be discounted?
Netherlands-based Akzo Nobel subsidiary Nobilas has entered the UK market with the takeover of Aon’s accident management business in this country, including first notice of loss, call centre and repair management services
The Trading Standards Institute and HPI have jointly produced a Car Buyers’ Guide, which aims to give consumers the know-how to carry out basic checks on a vehicle’s history, servicing records, MoT tests and suitability before they buy. One of the key messages to buyers is to get an HPI Check carried out on any vehicle considered for purchase
Blue Bell Mini in Wilmslow, Cheshire, has completed work on what is believed to be the only ‘Barbie Pink’ Mini Cooper S in the country. The pink leather interior certainly seals its status as a one-off. The car was ordered by Blue Bell customer Janette Benson and converted by the dealership’s bodyshop.
Royal & SunAlliance has become the latest insurer to pilot a labour-only scheme, prompting the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association to warn its members to approach contract terms with care.
Increasing use of new high-strength steels in mainstream cars means insurers and fleets must place repairs with properly equipped bodyshops, claims network ABS. It believes the develop strengthens its demands for an independently accreditated bodyshop industry
Hyundai is poised to start work on a new showpiece dealership in North London which it will own and run itself. The move, a departure from the Korean brand’s sale and leaseback approach to closing UK open points, could be extended to other high-cost conurbations to fill franchising gaps, with the south London/ Croydon area a possibility
This is the all-new Mercedes-Benz M-class, due to make its public debut at the Detroit Show next January, and destined to hit UK Mercedes showrooms late in 2005. Codenamed W164, the new M-class is just one of three lifestyle Benzes to be built off the same all-new platform at the company’s production facility in Alabama, USA
The AA could be combined with fast-fit chain Kwik-Fit and parts/ accessories supplier Halfords to forge a powerful new group in UK automotive sales and aftersales
Desira, the East Anglian retail group, has acquired self-drive hire company Abacus in a move that broadens its automotive interests. The firm has moved into Desira’s Wroxham Road site
Harry Taylor, group managing director at Bradford-based JCT600, is to retire at the end of the month after 17 years with the retail group
Inchcape Retail has paid £28m to buy five Mercedes-Benz dealerships from the privately-owned Southwell Motor Company and its subsidiary, Leadley Ltd. The purchase means Inchcape now operates eight Mercedes outlets from an area stretching across the West and East Midlands, and as far south as Oxford
General Electric’s UK motor finance and fleet operations are to be rebranded under the GE Money banner as part of an aggressive expansion by the US-owned technology and services corporation in the consumer finance sector
British high performance sportscar maker Noble this week confirmed its restructured network of UK sales centres. The Leicestershire-based manufacturer has reduced its number of outlets from 11 to five – a move that Noble says will make the network more manageable and more focused
Several senior carmaker bosses have criticised the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for the 2004 Motor Show Live’s failure to meet attendance targets, but say they will continue to support the event.
The new AM website, www.am-online.com, which was launched at the Dealer Conference last month, is piloting a stock locator service to help franchised and independent retailers to source quality used cars
Three independent garages have signed up this week to become a Peugeot authorised repairer.
Scottish and Merseyside Ford retailer Peoples has seen its profits for the past two years wiped out due to an an accountancy error. The group has been hit by a £4.4m write off after unwittingly overstating its assets for a number of years. Instead of a £1.3m profit for 2003, it effectively made an £880,000 loss
Seward, the south-coast dealer group, is investing around £4.5m in Europe’s first General Motors brand centre which will be selling new Vauxhalls, Saabs and Daewoos before the end of the year
General Motors has restructured its operations in Europe, which have been losing money since 1999 and are now not expected to break even this year
Retailers who operated used car dealer guarantee schemes through Warranty Holdings have been told that funds held on their behalf will form an unsecured claim against the Ford-owned business
Euro NCAP has called on vehicle manufacturers to improve the pedestrian protection of new cars, after its latest crash test results revealed most vehicles are still performing badly
Nissan has finally set a UK/European launch date for the premium Infiniti brand after months of speculation. The 2008 date will follow launches planned for next year in Japan, Korea, China and Russia.
Speeds Volvo of Burton-on-Trent in Derbyshire has moved to larger premises on the Centrum 100 business park, with an overall investment of just over £1m
The RAC has reissued its brand guidelines in a move that will pre-empt a crackdown on misrepresentation by retailers
The 20th Ben Gala concert will take place in the grounds of Lynwood, Sunninghill, Ascot, on Friday 16 July, followed three days later by the inaugural National Ben Day timed to coincide with its 99th birthday
