News - Page 1556

The automotive retail industry is facing an impending crisis over staffing levels, according to a new survey.

Kia Motors UK's last-minute decision to exhibit at the Birmingham motor show was taken to prove to dealers interested in joining the franchised network – and potential customers - that the company is developing “fresh and innovative” new products.

Head of Grant Thornton Motor Retail team Preston Ayres has co-driven his way to victory in the Minilite British Historic Car Rally championship. Joining driver Charles Golding in a Mark I Ford Escort RS 1.6, the duo secured the championship with a second place spot at the Bulldog Rally in mid Wales.

Audi has announced plans to grow the number of sites it owns and leases back to dealers from 26 to 40 over the next few years, mostly in high-cost metropolitan areas.

The RMI has thrown its weight behind the Government's plans for garage licensing through the Good Garage scheme. RMI president Fred Maguire says: “The Government is serious and requires action from us as an industry.”

Volvo Cars UK has signed up to supply Auto Trader with a range of used cars every day. More than 10 per cent of its dealer network has signed up to the scheme so far.

Motor traders have more consumer credit licenses refused or revoked than any other business sector, according to figures published by the Office of Fair Trading. The motor retailing industry accounted for nearly half of all the 'adverse determinations' delivered this year.

Gerard Murray has quit Reg Vardy after just 18 months as chief executive. An official statement said Murray had left to “pursue other business interests”.

Kia Motors UK's last-minute decision to exhibit at the Birmingham motor show was taken to prove to dealers interested in joining the franchised network – and potential customers - that the company is developing “fresh and innovative” new products.

When you're on a good thing, stick to it. With the previous CLK convertible such a strong seller it's no surprise that DaimlerChrysler has a soft-top version of the new Mercedes-Benz CLK, codenamed C209, waiting in the wings for a spring launch. Like the previous CLK, the new model is based on the C-class platform, despite its visual links with the larger E-class.

Independent service specialists, backed by the RMI, are threatening legal action against Porsche Cars GB over access to diagnostics information. The repairers accuse Porsche of refusing to supply vital diagnostics data for servicing the 996 and Boxster models, despite repeated requests.

Car World Direct.com, the wholesaler of nearly new vehicles and new EU imports, is predicting an annual turnover exceeding £170m after purchasing FRL, the UK importer of new European cars.

Dealers piloting Nissan's new fast-fit operation, Nissan Rapid Service – due to be rolled out to the manufacturer's 230 UK outlets from next year – have been reporting booming sales of replacement parts.

In spite of the Motor Show organiser's protestations at Trade secretary Patricia Hewitt's blistering attack on a Motor Show ad as “sexist” and “old-fashioned” an AM vox-pop of showgoers suggest the SMMT should be sending Ms Hewitt a note of thanks.

Citroen's 'VAT free' offer has proved so successful – it achieved an all-time record of 10,000 new car sales in October – that the scheme is being extended to the end of this month. Under the sales initiative Citroen offers to pay VAT on the new car price and on the factory-fit options.

The Fueler EOBD fault-finding system, previously only offered to Ford franchised dealers, is now available to the general aftermarket.

Snap-on Sun Tech Systems has introduced a new Windows-based software application designed to act as an interface between the Sun PDL 2000 colour graphing scan tool and the recently introduced Nexus diagnostic platform (pictured).

A new tyre condition diagnostic system – transferred straight from the hi-tech world of motor racing – has been launched on the aftermarket.

Smart is to launch a new range of equipment and accessories next month for owners of the city-coupe and cabrio.

Aylesbury-based Europa Safety Products has achieved EN149 2001 compliance for its ESP ranges of disposable respiratory products.

The Vehicle Inspectorate is warning garages to ignore letters sent by rogue companies demanding a £95 fee to hold customers' names and addresses on a computer.

The potential for service workshops and fast-fits to offer their customers an acoustic “a la carte” choice when it comes to replacing their exhaust systems could open up a whole new USP for the products.

Vauxhall boss Kevin Wale has dismissed fears - emanating from Europe - that the new Vectra is struggling.

Renault UK is opening a second wave of Premier Centres, taking the network from 31 to 55, as it bids to boost flagging sales of its Avantime and Vel Satis prestige models.

The Ford and Jardine Motors joint venture Polar Group has emerged as a likely buyer for First Ford, the Glasgow-based retailer put into receivership by Ford Credit Europe.

Dealers piloting Nissan's new fast-fit operation, Nissan Rapid Service - due to be rolled out to the manufacturer's 230 UK outlets from next year - have been reporting booming sales of replacement parts.

Although AM (November 8 issue ) which went to press this week points to provisional figures suggesting a 2.5 per cent downturn in new car registrations in October, a late flurry of postal sales notifications have pushed up the final total for the month much nearer to year-earlier levels.

More than a third of replacement starters and alternators returned under warranty in the UK displayed no product fault or manufacturing defects, TRW Automotive claims.

GM Daewoo used the recent British International Motor Show at Birmingham to announce a centralised vehicle service booking facility.

Vauxhall has slashed brake disc and pad kit prices by up to 60 per cent as the precursor to a major promotional push for brake servicing work through its franchised dealer networks and independent garages.