##Ford badge--left## Ford is today due to announce a £238m investment in its Bridgend engine plant in Wales creating 600 jobs and making the UK the source of a quarter of all its engines.
Motor manufacturers and the European Commission are meeting tomorrow in the hope of reaching a negotiated agreement to help reduce the number of pedestrians killed in vehicle collisions.
The findings of a recent opinion survey carried out by market research company Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) for Peugeot-Citroën and Renault suggest that the majority of European are satisfied with the current franchised dealership system for motor vehicles.
Autobytel has expanded its reach by today announcing its launch in the Netherlands (www.autobytel.nl), the seventh country to have a dedicated site from the online stock locator.
The New Fiat Punto Van has gone on sale in the UK, boasting an additional 60kg payload capacity over its predecessor.
Hyundai and DaimlerChrysler are expected to launch a new range of light and heavy commercial vehicles under an all-new brand name, likely to be an amalgam of the alliance partners' names.
Nissan revealed its Alpha T concept pick-up at last month's Detroit motor show, clearly marking its intention to move into the full-size truck market.
Vauxhall's new Corsavan will make its show debut at the Commercial Vehicle show at Birmingham's NEC next month (March 20-22).
General Motors' boss Rick Wagoner pledged closer co-operation with his retail networks in the keynote speech at the American car dealers' annual convention in Las Vegas.
General Motors has announced that the new Vectra will be built at Ellesmere Port, securing more than 1,000 jobs.
Ford has confirmed it is to invest £238m on its Bridgend engine plant – but the boost to the Welsh economy is dependent to the European Union approving regional grant assistance from the National Assembly of Wales totalling £16m.
Inchape, the international automotive services group, has a new operating and branding structure for its UK business.
##DC--right## The chairman of Deutsche Bank, the largest shareholder in DaimlerChrysler, has revealed it has been brought in to prepare a defence plan against a hostile take-over of the German-US automotive company.
Paul Jarvis has been promoted to managing director of Glass's Information Services as the group restructures following last year's merger with European automotive information provider Eurotax.
British Car Auctions reports strong trading last month as franchised dealers, desperate for a good start to the year, competed for the best quality stock.
Private equity firm NM Rothschild reports strong initial bidding for used car superstore group Carcraft, which was put on the market in December with a £200m price tag.
The scrap car recycling industry is facing a difficult period due to low demand and depressed prices, according to leading salvage operator Universal Salvage.
A new state-of-the-art Seat dealership - Citygate Chiswick - has opened at Chiswick High Road, London.
Vauxhall is recalling all 586,000 Tigra and Corsa "B"s, the predecessor of the current all-new second generation Corsa, sold in the UK after a fault was discovered with the seatbelts and seats.
Skoda recorded the highest new car sales increase of any manufacturer in the UK, 30% over 1999's total.
Renault is launching a 90bhp Renault Master van featuring a new four cylinder, 2.2-litre dCi, turbo-charged common rail diesel engine, new 16-inch wheels and disc brakes as standard.
##CAP--left## Used car dealers are predicting an upsurge in performance after many enjoyed a better than expected 2000, according to the Cap used car confidence index.
##2nd Byte--left## A series of new business signings has prompted 2nd Byte to further strengthen its management team. With car manufacturers Bentley and Land Rover joining the 2nd Byte client list so far this year, the company has recruited three more senior managers.
Allcars.com, the internet stock locator launched in the UK last April, plans to invest £5m in a promotional campaign over the next 12 months to raise its profile with dealers and customers.
Trafficmaster now offers live traffic information through its www.trafficmaster-online.com website. The website provides free, but time capped, access to detailed UK maps overlaid with traffic congestion information.
Rising residual values for diesel cars has led Glass's Guide to proclaim a 'new era' for oil burners.
Research conducted by Autohit among 7,000 car buyers revealed 44% of them would consider buying their next car online.
The unofficial car market is gaining mainstream approval, according to Cap, as getting finance and insurance becomes increasingly easy.
The 41 Lex Autocentres put on the market by Lex Service earlier this year have been bought by three former members of their management team.
Mitsubishi Motors UK has filled a key open retail sales point with the appointment of Mayfair Mitsubishi to operate from the central London site in George Street.
