In a move that responds to recent attacks from consumer bodies on US dealers' F&I practices, the American Financial Services Association has announced that its members will add a new statement to their vehicle financing contracts that tells consumers they may negotiate the APR when they finance a vehicle through a dealership.
Dealers looking to maximise the value of low-end part exchanges will soon be able to take advantage of a new scheme launched by one of the UK's leading salvage companies.
General Motors Europe president Mike Burns surprised many in the automotive industry with the announcement he is moving to become head of leading US parts supplier Dana Corp.
Dealers left scratching their heads over tough new financial regulations are being offered help by a leading warranty provider. Warranty Administration Services has added a new feature to its website to help dealers prepare for the major shake up in warranty rules.
Stefan Jacoby, the president and chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Europe has left after just over two years in the job.
Manheim's internet-based Simulcast system has gone live in the UK after trials in America. Lombard took part in the first auction, which involved 38 dealers bidding online against buyers at the auction site.
A new era in the fight to end the skills shortage blighting the automotive industry dawned this week after the Government awarded Automotive Skills the licence to become the new sector skills council for the retail motor industry.
Auto Trader has launched Trader Link, a new service which enables dealers to buy and sell new and used trade vehicles throughout the country.
Renault is planning a major review of its used car scheme. A pilot programme is being implemented this year before a roll-out across the dealer network by the end of 2005.
Triumph, the British motorcycle manufacturer, is looking to attract more car dealers to its network. The Leicestershire-based company wants to add eight new retailers to help boost sales and grow market share.
MG Rover has a tough job to turn around its business, but dealers are confident it is bringing through new product that will succeed.
Outgoing NADA chairman Alan Starling has taken a swipe at the CSI system, calling it “flawed”, and urged carmakers to stop using it as a method to “beat up dealers”.
Experian is extending its Car Data Check website with Inventory Management, a data extraction, cleansing and enhancement service for dealers.
CarShock, the northern-based car supermarket, is going on the acquisition trail. The firm, which has been the fastest growing car retailer in the UK for the last two consecutive years according to The Sunday Times, is now on the hunt for what it terms 'underperformers'.
Masters of South London, the former Vauxhall franchised dealer group, has been put into administration with debts of more than £1m. Eighty staff have been made redundant across sites at Croydon, Mitcham, Morden, Sanderstead and Dorking, with the majority of redundancies at the Mitcham site.
You can't tell from this winter testing shot, but Citroen's C5 has been given a radical facelift. Every single exterior panel apart from the roof has been dramatically changed. At the rear are new boomerang shaped tail lights, while the headlights are asymmetrical in shape.
Derek Cook, the newly appointed managing director of Virgin Cars, is planning to open 12 supersites over the next five years as he transforms the business into a volume retailer. Cook is also planning to make inroads into the fleet sector by targeting small businesses.
Lookers, the UK's eighth biggest dealer group by turnover, is to build a new £4.5m dealership in Birmingham. Located at the Star City entertainment complex just off the M6, the Vauxhall dealership will open in May.
DaimlerChrysler will be producing hybrid vehicles within three years, despite reservations about their high cost and long term future, according to Chrysler president and CEO Dieter Zetsche.
Carmakers will be responsible for disposing of end-of-life vehicles, according to Government proposals unveiled last week. Whitehall wants manufacturers to be responsible for contracting a network of authorised treatment facilities to deal with dismantling and disposal.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation has reached a landmark in its history after constant campaigning helped push membership past the 10,000 mark.
Steve Hood has been appointed director of marketing at Ford of Britain, succeeding Peter Fleet, while Morten Hannesbo becomes director of sales, replacing Paul Van der Burgh.
Land Rover has made a fresh offer to the unions after their second 24-hour strike on Monday; they will present it without recommendation to shop stewards on Friday.
The MOT test will continue to lose credibility unless the onset of computerisation is used to raise its status, claims the RMI.
Pinewood is now an approved DMS supplier to Suzuki's network, and sees the approval as a major step in its aim to move from third to second place in the UK DMS market.
The European Parliament has voted to call on the European Commission to end the UK's individual opt-out from the 48-hour average limit on the working week.
Court hearings have ended in the US lawsuit brought by Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. alleging that Daimler-Benz's merger with Chrysler was in effect a take-over that deprived Chrysler shareholders of a fair offer.
PSA Peugeot Citroën's 2003 results “demonstrated firm resilience in a difficult environment shaped by lower demand in Europe, particularly in France, and by the highly negative impact of the stronger euro,” says the group's financial results announcement today.
The SMMT is urging government to allocate the 24GHz ultra-wide short wave radio frequency for use by manufacturers as soon as possible, to use with collision warning sensors.
Daewoo Cars, the former sales and distribution operation for Daewoo vehicles in the UK, has finally gone into liquidation.
