Higher insurance costs and resale values undermined by a depressed used-car market have wiped out running cost savings from a five-pence-a-litre drop in fuel prices over the previous year and competitively-priced oil, tyre, servicing and other maintenance costs.
Honda (UK) is to open its first 'brand centre' in the autumn, selling cars, motorcycles and power equipment products.
Covisint, the global, independent e-business exchange, developed by five of the world's leading automotive manufacturers, has appointed Kevin English as president and chief executive.
General Motors has suffered an 88% fall in year-on-year profits in the first quarter of 2001.
Dixon Motor's motorcycle subsidiary Carnell/Motorcycle City, claims it has become the first retailer to break away from manufacturers' RRPs to offer a 'real' price list.
Pendragon, the UK's largest car dealership group, has announced the acquisition of Hornburg, the Jaguar and Land Rover dealership in Los Angeles.
Ford has added the Galaxy and new Mondeo to the fordjourney.com website.
JCT600, the Bradford-based multi-franchised dealer group ranked 28 in the AM100, suffered a 15% fall in like-for-like profits last year due largely to the steep fall in residual values.
Latest auction prices from BCA, Premier Motorauctions and Manheim
Maserati sold more cars in the UK during the first three months of 2001 than in any other first quarter period in the company's history.
Daewoo has announced the sale of its Worthing Technical Centre, in Sussex, to engineering group TWR for an undisclosed sum.
Toyota and PSA Peugeot Citroën are to work together on new technologies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles.
Sources at Peugeot's Ryton plant say the company will revise its "final" pay-offer to avoid strike action.
DaimlerChrysler UK says its decision to issue its Mercedes-Benz dealers with a second termination notice is not a sign of failing confidence in its restructure plans – but merely a “precaution".
Maranello Concessionaires has confirmed that it will not be exhibiting its Ferrari and Maserati brands at the London Motor Show.
Yorkshire independent motor retailer Nidd Vale has appointed Bob Butterfield as body and paint shop repair manager.
The Government has been asked by the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) to declare the number of complaints consumers made about insurance company-owned bodyshops last year.
Lexus is the highest ranked manufacturer in the 2001 UK Car Customer Satisfaction study conducted by JD Power and Associates.
Ryton looks set to be hit by strike action after Peugeot told the Transport and General Workers Union a disputed pay deal was its "final offer".
Four automotive suppliers are planning to join forces to cut costs and provide a more efficient service to aftermarket customers.
Tyre firms are gearing up for a price war after a new entrant promised 10% savings for fleets.
Plexus Online, the internet-based accident management company that went live this year, has signed up more than 360 bodyshops on the promise of more cost-effective repairs.
Vauxhall has launched a Parts Quality Assurance programme as it steps up the fight against counterfeit parts suppliers.
Audatex has tripled the size of its insurer services team to cope with growth.
US automotive parts maker Delphi Automotive Systems is to close its Southampton factory, with the loss of 120 jobs, as part of a worldwide restructure.
EMA Computer Solutions has launched a bodyshop loading, control and management reporting system, which fits between the estimating and management system to help repairers maximise productivity and profits.
The Body Repair Industry Campaign (BRIC) has raised the heat in its fight against poor insurance practices after sympathetic MPs tabled two Parliamentary questions.
Perry Group's body repair network raised profits last year, to £3.2m, compared to £2.2m in 1999, on the back of improved results in London.
##spring conference--left## Stability is in sight for the UK used car market after more than two years of collapsing vehicle values, according to Cap Network.
A conference to brief senior motor industry managers on Block Exemption – The future of franchising – was staged by Sewells Information & Research at the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham.
