News - Page 1559

Mitsubishi has embarked on a major dealership improvement programme to prepare for the 2004 arrival of its Netherlands-built supermini, which will replace the Colt.

General Motors has denied reports that the Premium Architecture venture developing future cars for Saab and Alfa Romeo is in danger of collapsing.

Coming to AM's autumn event could be a profitable experience for UK dealers...literally. For two groups of automotive consultants are set to show dealerships how to break with motor retailing tradition and build profit - not just turnover - at the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, on November 28. Come and hear from Grant Thornton Motor Retail and the International Car Distribution Programme. They are ready to challenge traditional motor retail thinking.

Dozens of companies, including automotive retailer groups and garage equipment suppliers, have already requested AM Awards 2003 entry forms which will be available later this month. The firms will contest 15 categories in the new-look awards that have been expanded following the April relaunch of the fortnightly motor industry news and analysis title Automotive Management and its monthly sister magazine AutoTrade as AM.

Speculation is rising that a fresh takeover bid for one of the UK's largest dealer groups may be just weeks away.

Standards in the car servicing and repair sector have improved little since the Office of Fair Trading's damning study in 2000, according to a Department of Trade and Industry undercover investigation.

MG Rover has struck a deal with Virgin Cars to supply vehicles direct for sale over the internet. The landmark agreement means Virgin's website will offer buyers fleet-style discounts of up to 20 per cent off the UK list price of models.

Ford-owned Jaguar and Land Rover have announced plans to axe 800 jobs at their UK plants, despite both marques increasing sales. The firms, which employ about 11,000 staff each, expect to achieve the losses through early retirement and voluntary redundancy.

Two Hampshire Constabulary officers have been suspended from duty following a year-long criminal investigation into the importation of Japanese vehicles.

William Jacks, No 35 in the AM100, has posted operating profits up 114 per cent to £1.4m on turnover up six per cent to £94.4m for the first six months of the year.

Forget one or two-year termination notices - franchised dealers could get their notice from carmakers just days before the new block exemption regulations are introduced next year.

Ken Thorne Group, the South Wales based car empire, has gone in to voluntary liquidation. Administrators from Deloitte and Touche have been called in, ending speculation about the £50m turnover firm's future.

Automotive retailers are steering clear of a source of lucrative business because of worries about image.

Automotive paint supplier Standox has unveiled a three-point plan to help refinishers build on their strengths and find growth in a shrinking market.

General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), the carmaker's financial services division, is looking for organic and acquisitive growth following its purchase of Shell Auto Finance's business portfolio.

Nationwide Accident Repair Services is determined to retain the bulk of its bodyshop network, despite closing its Harrow operation and disposing of its Bristol site to a management buy-out.

Fiat Auto is looking increasingly vulnerable in its bid to remain independent. The Italian manufacturer is rumoured to be preparing another round of production cuts and redundancies in its battle to return to profitability, and to stave off a takeover by General Motors.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says next month's British Motor Show will feature 10 world model debuts and 45 British launches - even though several big-name manufacturers will not be attending.

Nissan is to boost its share of the rapidly expanding diesel market with the development of a diesel communications strategy.

Several professional organisations make it their business to put market values on cars. But how can automotive retailers tell who is right and who is wrong? Tom Madden, BCA'S director, customer affairs, looks for an answer.<p>

Vehicle Remarketing Services, the new operation backed by auctions giant Manheim, is looking to fill a gap in the market for a business offering logistics and refurbishment from a single site.

Another consortium of investors is ready to make a bid to buy Jensen, the beleaguered UK sportscar manufacturer after an unnamed Home Counties millionaire failed to come up with the cash.

Delays in delivery of replacement components are costing bodyshops thousands of pounds in courtesy car bills - often way beyond the cost of repairs.

Bristol-based Smart Repairs UK plans to set up a national network after it was taken over by a rapidly expanding investment group, Clifton Group Holdings.

Reg Vardy expects to make a number of acquisitions over the new few months on the back of a “very strong” balance sheet. Speaking at the group's AGM last week, chairman Sir Peter Vardy said several dealership acquisitions had been agreed with manufacturer partners.

Moves by European taxation commissioner Frits Bolkestein to harmonise car prices across Europe by scrapping registration taxes in favour of road and fuel taxes have been thrown into doubt after a similar scheme to align beer and wine duties was shelved.

There are many conflicting reports around the trade of how new car sales have stacked up for September. If some manufacturers are to be believed then sales are on track and everything is rosy.

Values of this year's 'must have' urban wheels, the retro-styled but thoroughly modern Mini, are so buoyant that sellers are still making a killing even more than a year on.

ABS - the UK's largest network of independent bodyshops - has negotiated a national courtesy car supply deal for its 210 principal and secondary members.

Until mid-December Bosch will throw in an interior windscreen wipe with each Super Plus wiper blade part number ordered by factors and distributors, enabling them to increase incentives to garage and retail customers.