Camden Motors has proclaimed itself the "sleeping giant" of the corporate market.
The Ryland Group suffered a slump in profits last year, stung by new car pricing pressures and deflationary pressures in the used market.
Paul Dixon, Dixon Motors chief executive, has described the group's financial performance in 2000, which saw a year-on-year fall in profits before tax from £8.6m to £7.8m, as a “creditable peformance” in and extraordinary and unpredictable period.
CD Bramall is to add to the three Land Rover outlets acquired in January, which took the network to 77 dealerships.
Benfield Ford has acquired the Advance used car superstore in Leeds in a move that is expected to boost its turnover by £1m.
Toyota and BMW are to encourage dealers to use HPI's GoldCheck and National Mileage Register as part of their approved used car programmes. Twenty-eight manufacturers now approve access to HPI's services.
Tom Dunn, managing director of Nationwide Autocentres, is back heading a third of the business he worked to develop.
Demand for used cars with new-style registration plates is expected to be strong, according to BCA Europe.
Guinness Peat Group this week failed in its late bid to stop Perry Group from selling its motor division to Pearlglass.
Mitsubishi Motors has warned its debt would be worse than initial forecasts due to the recent global recall of 2.5m cars and restructuring costs.
Online trading operation eBay has launched a partnership with Interactive Exchange and Mart (iXM) to launch eBay Motors on the UK site.
Virgin says its on-line car retailing operation will have recovered its start-up costs and be in profit by September, 15 months after launch, and it is now preparing to introduce a motorcycle selling operation.
New car importer Broadspeed is considering legal action against one its continental suppliers after a series of customer complaints.
Vauxhall expects to triple new car sales via the web this year after it sold more cars via its website last month than any of its dealers.
Renault has agreed the sale of its logistic's arm to a consortium including TNT Logistics and vehicle transportation provider AutoLogic.
Following its successful introduction at MasterFit Centres in January 2000, Vauxhall is extending its MasterCover MoT insurance scheme to all dealers from April 2.
The Lotus Group has appointed a new chief executive, Terry Playle, to replace Chris Knight, who is retiring after four years in the post.
HR Owen chairman John MacArthur says the group has weathered the storm of 2000, which saw pre-tax profits cut by more than a half, and it is now prepared for increased profitability this year boosted by a return of customer confidence.
BMW enjoyed its best financial performance ever in 2000 built on a determination to develop its standing in the premium sector and despite have to absorb £500m losses from the Rover Group prior to its sale in May.
Toyota pre-registered more cars in February than any manufacturer, overtaking Ford at the top spot.
Receivers KPMG has concluded the sale of HMG (Southern) Ltd, trading as Wolfe Volkswagen in Sevenoaks for an undisclosed sum, to Beadles Group Ltd.
BMW today announced that it will not be showing Mini at this year's London motor show. Instead the company is concentrating on creating brand awareness during the launch through a newly re-designed interactive website.
Allianz Cornhill is to issue a new contract to its approved repairer network, all of which are RMI Bodyshop Services Division (BSD) quality control members.
Auction prices from BCA, Brightwells, Cars Direct, Manheim and Premier Motorauctions
March has lived up to expectations as far as the level of used car retail demand is concerned. Most dealers have had a successful month and this has been reflected in the used car values being achieved by most disposers. Auction prices remain firm although buyers are becoming more picky and conversion rates are easing a touch.
The residual values of diesel-engined vehicles have recently enjoyed a revival, with premiums over petrol vehicles increasing. This has been due to both demand and supply factors, but it should not be regarded as a permanent and irreversible shift.
One Stop Car Shop, which this month opened its second retail outlet, in Chiswick, London, has scaled down its expansion plans to concentrate on growth through affinity agreements.
Richard Barber, Quicks group chief executive, resigned last night. A company spokesman, who gave no reason, said Mr Barber had immediately cleared his desk and left.
##FoF logo--left## A conference for senior managers in the motor industry organised by Sewells on March 28, 2001 at the National Motorcyle Museum, Birmingham.
##Mercedes dealers--left## Mercedes-Benz UK dealers are demanding Dermot Kelly, passenger car director, to 'come clean' on key statements made on the planned network shake-up.
