A 10-point motoring manifesto has been drawn up by the RAC Foundation which it wants all political parties to support in the run-up to the June 7 general election. The manifesto includes seeking Government support for an independent review of motoring costs across the board and for manufacturers to cut vehicle emissions.
After a storming first four months of the year, motor retailers probably could have done without the announcement of a general election. History tells us it will mean a slowdown in retail trade across the board but particularly in 'big ticket' items such as cars.
Banks and other direct lenders have started to move interest rates down again after a couple of months of relatively minor adjustments. They are confident there will be further base rate cuts in the medium term and that rates will remain low over the term of a typical car loan, around three years.
Strong new car sales, particularly to retail customers, have convinced carmakers to leave their existing finance plans in place for another month. There is some evidence of demand easing back but dealers say most buyers are happy that new cars are now good value and, more importantly, affordable.
Online Finance, the used car finance subsidiary of General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC), has launched a web-based auction programme called On exchange, enabling UK dealers to purchase and sell used vehicles online.
Land Rover believes manning levels at its Solihull plant has reached its optimum and it can stop its redundacy programme.
Nissan Motor Company has announced its best financial results in its history and attributed them to its revival plan.
Motor insurance costs have risen strongly in the first quarter, according to the AA's British Insurance Premium Index.
Singer & Friedlander Insurance Finance has signed agreements with Lumley Insurance Consultants and dedicated motor insurers ASA to provide premium funding facilities through dealers and intermediaries.
Major independent finance houses are launching new products to help car loan customers out of negative equity. The move marks the first significant new finance product activity since the launch of personal contract purchase plans (PCPs) more than 10 years ago.
HSBC, the bank which pulled out of point-of-sale vehicle finance when it withdrew its Forward Trust brand, is experimenting in digital television as a way of reaching car loan customers.
First National Motor Finance is launching a call-centre service aimed at small and medium-sized dealer groups which want to release sales staff and cut administration time.
Ford Credit is mounting an aggressive, finance-based campaign aimed at keeping current customers 'in the family' and targeting existing Vauxhall owners with special deals.
European Motor Holdings has returned pre-tax profits up 10.2% to £8.5m from £7.7m on a turnover down from £421.8m to £399.7m.
Sytner Group's pre-tax profits fell in its preliminary results for the 14 months to February 28. It made £8.1m compared with £8.5m in 1999 on turnover for the same period of £596.9m. The12-month figure was £521.9m, up from 1999's £405.4m.
The Consumers' Association has caused new resentment in the motor industry by selling Carbusters.com, its 'not for profit' internet car import operation, for £1.3m. The purchaser is Bizzbuild.com
MG Rover, without the obsolete Mini or Metro-based 100 as an entry model, has forced the 25 down to £7,995 for a 3dr 1.1-litre version. It is also available in E-level trim, and as a 5dr (a £500 premium).
Individual dealerships within several of the top 20 UK motor retail groups are among hundreds of traders bypassing official channels to buy new cars direct from mainland Europe.
The Mercedes-Benz C-class coupe will cost from £20,290 when it goes on sale next week, with the range topping C230 Kompressor priced £23,250.
Hartwell has acquired Vauxhall dealership City Motors in Oxford for an undisclosed sum.
Ilkeston Co-operative Society is to drop the 'Ilkeston' title from its motor group subsidiary next month to better reflect the group's regional growth.
Former Finelist boss Chris Swan has bought back Autela and Edmunds Walker for an undisclosed sum, thought to be around £2m, making his Bulldog Express parts distribution business the third largest in the UK.
<b>Richard Feast's Globalwatch</b><br> Honda is one of the great little global automotive companies even though it may have a blind spot when it comes to modern diesel technology and petrol engines that develop high torque at low revs.
##ATP(2)--right## Automotive Training Partners, comprising seven leading specialists, solved a dealer's problems the day it was announced.
Former Capital Bank executives on Tuesday launched the Funding Corporation with £115m of investment, including £25m from Subaru, Isuzu and Daihatsu importer IM Group.
European Motor Holdings has questioned the legality of the 12-month Mercedes termination notices issued by DaimlerChrysler UK.
Ford, as expected, has stepped in to influence the purchase of collapsed HMG Holdings dealerships through Polar Motor Group, its joint venture with Jardine Motors.
Dealers interested in taking the Daewoo franchise will not be allowed to water down the company's approach to aftersales, said Patrick Farrell, UK director of sales and marketing operations.
Inchcape yesterday defeated calls from its largest stakeholder for the group to be broken up.
