The latest report on the car body repair market from automotive analysts MFBI says that few if any independent bodyshops will be appointed as manufacturer-authorised repairers because of an overlooked clause in the new regulation.
Toyota has reported first-half net profits rose 23% to 524.5 billion yen in the six months ended September 30, from 425.8 billion yen a year earlier. Sales for the six months to September also hit a record 8.22 trillion yen, up 8.0% from a year earlier, while pre-tax profit rose 13.7% to a record 812.0 billion yen.
The Honda Institute has received a South East Training Award at the recent NTA regional awards ceremony. The entry from The Honda Institute - Individual Skills Training (IST) for car technicians - was one of 16 finalists from over 1,000 entries, with Honda the only automotive company to reach the finals.<The Honda Institute has received a South East Training Award at the recent NTA regional awards ceremony. The entry from The Honda Institute - Individual Skills Training (IST) for car technicians - was one of 16 finalists from over 1,000 entries, with Honda the only automotive company to reach the finals.<The Honda Institute has received a South East Training Award at the recent NTA regional awards ceremony. The entry from The Honda Institute - Individual Skills Training (IST) for car technicians - was one of 16 finalists from over 1,000 entries, with Honda the only automotive company to reach the finals.
Lookers plc's Northern Ireland subsidiary Charles Hurst has completed the acquisition of the two-outlet Vauxhall dealer Savilles Auto Village in the province for £3.3m in cash, and EM Group has bought two John Grose Group Ford outlets in East Anglia.
Citroën is offering savings of some £3,000 on models including the Xsara Picasso MPV, the C5 and the C8 mpv throughout November.
Another new retailer has opened its doors to Daewoo customers – Bowers Daewoo Manchester of Water Street, Manchester.
Instead of hitting showrooms this month as planned, Bentley's Continental GT will not meet orders until sometime in the first quarter of next year – and dealer revenues have not yet justified standards compliance costs.
Van drivers are increasingly being given a say in what vehicle they drive, according to Prof. Peter Cooke of Nottingham Business School, whose second annual Vauxhall-sponsored survey of light commercial vehicle trends has just been completed.
Today, 4 November, ScootElectric, the new UK importer of electric-powered personal transport, introduces a line-up of six two-wheel and three-wheel scooters, powered by electric motors and rechargeable batteries, described as suitable for everyday use by commuters, courier companies and local councils keen to go 'green'.
The SMMT has unveiled its new website for Foresight Vehicle, the UK's national automotive research and development programme. Foresight Vehicle, now administered by SMMT, aims to promote, develop and demonstrate market-driven enabling technologies for future motor vehicles.
Cars Direct has launched an online auction system that can be used on a 'private label' basis by remarketing companies. The launch follows the pilot programme conducted with Leaseplan which is currently holding two sales a month using the system, to 6,000 registered buyers.
The European Garage Equipment Association (EGEA) is to hold a meeting at the Automotive Trade Show section of the 2004 Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham's NEC next March.
The OFT carried out 295 licensing actions in the third quarter of 2003. Between 1 July and 30 September nine consumer credit licence applications were refused and five existing licences revoked.
THE most reliable cars in Britain's company car fleets are revealed in a Fleet News survey covering nearly 800,000 vehicles.
Hundred of company car drivers are being fined every day for entering London's congestion charging zone without paying because they do not understand the new system.
Bosch has become an IMI approved assessment centre, with its training programmes accredited under the IMI's Quality Assured Awards (QAA) programme.
The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that the Glenvarigill group has ceded its SEAT franchises in Perth and Aberdeen to Town and County Motors. In Aberdeen, Town and County will house SEAT cars alongside its Lexus franchise, and in Perth, alongside Subaru/Isuzu and Daihatsu.
The 73rd Geneva International Motor Show on 6-16 March 2004 will occupy 76,000m2 of exhibition space, including a new hall. Individual stands will be bigger than those at the 2002 show.
Visitors to MG Rover showrooms throughout the UK will have the chance to win the Streetwise, Rover's new model, every day during November.
Cars Direct, the online fleet remarketing company plans to double the size of its Fixed Price Stock Locator (FPSL) service over the next 12 months to sell around 10,000 units during 2004.
Dealers got their first glimpse of the new-look Mazda MX-5 when the carmaker took the wraps off a concept car at this month's Tokyo motor show.
The former UK sales representative for Midtronics, the American battery test and management equipment maker, has formed his own company to handle the products.
Former Nidd Vale chairman Richard Jackson will outline the issues facing multi-franchised retailers at the AM Putting Profit Before Turnover conference. The event, on Thursday November 13 at the Heritage Motor Centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire, will tackle some of the most pressing issues facing the retail motor industry. Jackson, who now runs Mercedes-Benz of North Yorkshire, will talk to key industry players about his experiences in running a high-profile retail group, including the issues faced and how problems were solved.
Ardal O' Hanlon, star of Father Ted and acclaimed stand-up comedian, will entertain guests at the 2004 AM Awards ceremony.
Carmakers are preventing independent garages from joining authorised repairer networks by making excessive demands in their servicing and repair contracts.
Gilder Group's parts business was opened on a 30,000sq ft site in Sheffield five months ago at a cost of £100,000 in premises, IT and equipment. The VW and Audi dealer's parts division is now on target to achieve annual turnover of £1.5m.
General Motors and Fiat have agreed to delay by one year the date from which their put option starts. That means the option period, under which Fiat can sell its car business to GM, will now run from Jan 2005, until July 2010. <P>
Tenneco Automotive is to close its Walker exhaust system manufacturing plant in Birmingham at the end of the year, blaming a slump in UK sales. The company says the move will help to better match supply with demand.
Fiat retailers will be able to offer their customers supermarket-style loyalty points on sales, servicing and repairs thanks to a new scheme currently on trial in mainland Europe.
Profits for many car manufacturers were down in the first half of 2003, as the European motor industry started to feel the effect of recession and difficult market conditions.
