Volkswagen Group boss Bernd Pischetsrieder is no stranger to controversy. Just a few years ago, when he was running BMW, he stood up at the British International Motor Show and delivered a stinging criticism of Rover - just as the 75 saloon was being launched. Experts believe it effectively damaged sales.
Skoda has rushed out a letter to its UK dealers rubbishing a press report that the new flagship Superb will be killed off in 2005. Volkswagen Group boss Bernd Pischetsrieder was last week quoted as saying the Superb would be one of six group models to get the chop, but Skoda UK strongly denies the report.
British Car Auctions has opened a new auction centre in Glasgow as part of the group's major network redevelopment programme.
Reg Vardy has appointed Brown Brothers, part of the Unipart Group of Companies, to supply refinish and bodyline products to its 11-strong bodyshop network.
Solus Accident Repair Centre, the Norwich Union branded bodyshop group, is looking to set up 12 new outlets over the next few years as it looks to exploit its sole supply relationship with the insurance giant.
Autolink, the car supermarket network backed by the MCL Group, has outlined aggressive expansion plans to more than triple its number of outlets over the next two years.
A particulate filter system is set to play a crucial role in the first high performance, super-clean diesel engine to be built by Renault.
The RAC is launching a new set of promotional materials to help dealers sell cars backed by RAC inspections and warranties.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced a professional updating scheme for its 25,000-strong membership which could lead to the issue of individual licences to practice in vehicle service and maintenance.
Volume and specialist marque car retailer Lookers plc will be driving aftermarket growth and expanding its sales territories after announcing record first half results.
Britain's second largest automotive retailer group CD Bramall has posted record interim results across its three divisions - cars, commercial vehicles and contract hire - with total turnover up from £495m to £530m and pre-tax profits rising to £13.3m, from £11m over the same period last year.
Global Remarketing has appointed Stuart Faid as managing director following the departure of Jim Kerr.
Chrysler and Jeep are gearing up for a raft of new products and stronger branding with the appointment of former Mercedes-Benz northern region manager Lawrence Good as UK sales director.
The versatile Mercedes A-class is no longer the must-have fashion item it once was. There are plenty of used examples of this baby Benz about, not to mention easyCar.com's ex-rental cars. Prices have slipped as a result.
It's still possible to get a new car for less than £5000, provided your needs are small. The Nippa has slipped off Perodua's price list, leaving the Fiat Seicento S (on special offer until September 30) and Suzuki Swift 1.0 Sky edition as the only models officially under the magic £5k mark.
Lexus has appointed former head of UK operations Stuart McCullough to drive the carmaker's growth in Europe. McCullough, previously Lexus GB director, took up his new role as Lexus director, Europe, on Monday.
AA Business Services has made three key appointments to meet the demand of its growing commercial offerings across the retail, fleet and manufacturer sectors.
Mike Pilkington, the sales and marketing director for Greenhous Remarketing Services (GRS), is leaving the company to launch a new remarketing venture with Manheim Auctions.
Falling new car list prices and a rise in the level of discounts available to buyers has led to a massive slump in the number of unofficial imports sold in the UK by internet operators and other parallel importers.
Values of the Vauxhall Omega have fallen dramatically - so much so, that supermini money now buys this big, comfortable saloon.
The market has been unpredictable over the summer. No sooner were dealers and traders reporting a deathly quiet time then along would come a sale where buyers were falling over themselves competing for stock. This continued through August as the market prepared for the September bonanza and the huge influx of part-exchanges due then.
Record numbers of companies in the UK's automotive parts and accessories industry are losing money and sales as the battle for aftermarket share heats up, according to a new report.
Garage staff are almost as clueless about engine lubricants as the customers whose cars they service, a vehicle parts supplier claims.
The bodyshop struggle to identify and match paint codes could soon be consigned to the past, thanks to an advanced IT solution being developed by Spies Hecker.<
The Internet offers a major opportunity for dealers to add value for fleet customers
Peugeot is to create 700 new jobs at its UK car plant at Ryton, near Coventry - increasing the workforce to about 3700.
Dealers can improve profitability and customer loyalty by offering a range of competitive insurance and finance products, a leading insurance and finance provider says.
Nidd Vale Group has opened a £3.2m Mercedes-Benz sales and service centre in York.
A warning shot has been fired at tyre retailers who illegally store and process waste tyres, after the Environment Agency prosecuted a Manchester-based firm.
