Used car dealers generally fair poorly in mystery shopping exercises. The spotlight often falls on their failure to grasp the benefits of selling finance packages.
Reports of a slow-down in the retail market have been backed by Manheim Auctions. New car orders for the new September plate will provide franchised dealers with an abundance of 'nearly new' carsn and as a result they have been visibly absent from auction halls.
Many manufacturers are coming down from their ivory towers and working in partnership with those in the used car market. They have realised that they need to do more to support the market and those selling used vehicles, says Martin Ward, Cap Network national research manager.
Former Nissan senior executive Sir Ian Gibson is to lead a team advising the Government of the likely shape of the UK motor industry in five to 15 years.
Carmakers have been warned the Government will press ahead with the introduction of tough recyling legislation next year despite warning it could force them into insolvency.
Cash-rich Inchcape, celebrating an 85% rise in first half pre-tax UK profits to £52.5m, will spend £60m on doubling the size of its premium British retail network.
Leading Ford dealers are to be encouraged to help Mazda reorganise its UK network by taking some territories and installing shared facilities to cut costs.
General Motors is likely to copy Ford's Premier Automotive Group by putting its luxury brands together.
Inchcape is considering selling its 40% stake in MCL Group after the company lost its Mazda import and distribution business in the UK. MCL continues to represent Kia Cars from its offices in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
Land Rover is pioneering a scheme to create closer links between its dealers and the assembly plant to improve product quality.
Automotive Management has teamed up with Grant Thornton Motor Retail to arrange for UK motor industry professionals to attend next year's American dealer convention in New Orleans (February 2-5).
Indications of EC thinking on Block Exemption review are expected to emerge next month, say industry insiders.
The Government will press ahead with the introduction of tough new vehicle recycling targets, despite warnings that it will force carmakers into insolvency.
Online car retailer OneSwoop has recently celebrated its first anniversary and says it is enjoying record sales while expanding its business portfolio, dropping hints on a series of deals and partnerships in the coming months and at the same time revamping its website.
Zero emissions driving has moved a step closer after two of the major players in developing fuel-cell cars announced new breakthroughs.
Demand for diesel among fleets has grown to its highest share of the market this year as companies search to save drivers tax under the new company car tax regime which comes in next April.
Dixon Motors has reported record interim results, with profits up 29% year-on-year in the first six months of 2001 and an increased market share in all areas of its business.
Prestige dealer group HR Owen has teamed up with specialist performance vehicle rental company City Inter-Rent to offer loan cars to customers.
Plans to build Astra and Vectra models at Ellesmere Port will not be derailed by General Motors' cost-cutting plans claims union.
Two car repairers have been expelled from the Motor Vehicle Repairers Association for "fraudulent practices."
CD Bramall, one of the UK's largest motor distributors, has increased pre-tax profit to £11m for the half year.
Swansea-based Sinclair Van Centre has become the first British commercial vehicle outlet to win the prestigious Volkswagen Quality Management Standard.
Daewoo Motor Sales, the marketing arm of bankrupt Daewoo Motor Co, has reported net profit for the first half-year down 71%.
MG Rover has been inundated with orders for the new MG saloon range just weeks after being carpeted by the Advertising Standards Authority for a pre-launch direct mail shot and magazine insert campaign that 'concentrated unduly on speed'.
Pendragon is taking its internet brand tins.co.uk to the regions by opening six car supermarkets.
