Honda is confident its approved repairers can retain a far higher level of accident repair business, boosting customer loyalty to the marque and raising bodyshop profitability, if the network conforms to consistent levels of service.
Carmakers will begin dominating the £1.6bn UK fast-fit sector as they encourage dealers to target aftersales profits, according to business information provider Datamonitor.
Ellen Group, the accident management firm that collapsed last month, has launched a legal battle against Toyota GB, which it blames for the failure.
Jaguar Financial Services is rolling out a new insurance policy that will help dealers to boost accident repair retention levels.
Vauxhall and Volkswagen have launched initiatives to help their dealers sell more parts to independent repairers and bodyshops over the summer.
DaimlerChrysler Financial Services has launched two insurance products for Chrysler Jeep customers.
Quicks Group has closed its QBS bodyshop division, transferring control of its five bodyshops back to the dealer network. For the past four years the network had operated within the commercial vehicle and parts division.
Major advances in oil technology have enabled Volkswagen to introduce a variable servicing option on most models. VW says that most petrol models can be driven for 19,000 miles or 24 months without a major service. Some diesel engine models can reach 30,000 miles or 24 months.
Castrol has developed a new garage support package called Portfolio Plus aimed at planning, supplying, installing and financing workshop equipment.
Duckhams has launched a summer promotion, which could save customers hundreds of pounds on a range of attractions, hotels, restaurants and holidays.
Esso Lubricants has launched a 'Think Blue' campaign aimed at Ford dealers.
The latest auction results from BCA and Manheim.
This year's London Motor Show has been cancelled by its organiser Clarion Events.
Mitsubishi Motors, in Cirencester, has appointed a new finance director, 52 year old Nobuo Eguchi. He replaces Masaki Takahashi who is retiring after holding the position for two years.
Mazda has reached an agreement to take control of the distribution of its vehicles in the UK from MCL Group Limited, a company owned 60 per cent by Itochu Corporation and 40 per cent by Inchcape plc. The agreement is subject to the approval of the European Commission and is expected to take effect 1 August.
The European Commission has ordered a secret investigation into the possible changes to the franchised dealer network in the UK as part of the review of Block Exemption.
EU legislation set to become UK law in the first half of next year will make it easier for motorists to reject faulty cars or demand repairs.
Vauxhall has boosted the load-carrying capacity of the Combo van for its launch in the autumn.
2001 has seen a new optimism in the car market according to Reg Vardy plc which released its preliminary results today repeating the familiar line amongst dealer groups in the last 12 months of 'impressive results in hard times'.
The new style registration plate will lead to a surge in new vehicle registrations for September 2001 as retail and fleet customers compete to be 'first' on the road, predicts Manheim Europe.
Virgin Cars has appointed Patrick Magrath as finance director.
Manheim Auctions is looking to double its dealer business over the next three years on the back of new product launches.
Proton will return to TV advertising for the launch of its Impian upper-medium saloon later this month. The commercials will air on satellite and national terrestrial channels as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the Malaysian brand.
Mercedes-Benz dealers were this week believed to be close to a settlement with DaimlerChrysler UK over mass franchise terminations after holding closed-door talks in Coventry.
Yorkshire dealer Nidd Vale Group posted record turnover of more than £75m for the year to April 30, up 14% over the previous 12 months.
An exclusive contract to supply batteries for the new Mini range has been awarded by BMW to Varta.
Vauxhall's newly revised Dualfuel Astravan has driven in with a more eco-friendly 1.6 8v engine that exceeds Euro IV emission levels due to come into force in 2005.
Forecasts that vehicle telematics service revenues will exceed $6.4 billion a year in Europe and the United States by 2006 have failed to prevent a crash in the share price of traffic information and telematics company Trafficmaster.
Car buyers may soon be able to choose vehicles on the effectiveness of active safety feature, as well as their crash-worthiness.
Launch of a new common rail diesel engine for the Ford Focus has been delayed for a further four months.
