News - Page 1635

Mercedes-Benz dealers have formally began their legal action against DaimlerChrysler UK.

Residual value stability is in sight in the used car market after more than two years of collapsing vehicle values, with some sectors experiencing price increases.

Most dealers were “pretty powerless” to play a significant part in Block Exemption review because the power and their destiny is more in the hands of manufacturers, said Clive Sutton.

The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Mary Walker and Andrew Lester, Jaguar Cars UK sales director, were the special guests at the opening of Doves' newly refurbished and extended Jaguar showroom in Croydon.

Private buyers flooded into showrooms in March, prompting the Retail Motor Industry to claim that 2001 could be the best year for more than a decade.

The new car market is on a high and could turn out to be the best since 1989, claims the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

Vauxhall's new Corsa has made a strong start in the used car market, at its premier at BCA Nottingham.

Auction prices from BCA, Manheim and Premier Motorauctions.

Mercedes-Benz's decision to increase list prices is "stifling" its dealers' ability to compete against unofficial importers.

Renault has launched a new consumer-facing internet site uniting its UK dealer network of 190 outlets.

Delphi has launched a scheme offering independent garages the opportunity to profit from the rapidly expanding market in air-conditioning service and repair business.

Softlab Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of BMW Group, has sold its UK automotive OEM software, systems integration and services business to Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC).

Benfield Motors has opened its first dealership in the north west and one of the first joint Renault/Nissan franchises in the country, in Carlisle.

Manufacturers have issued a plea of 'not guilty' to dealer claims of discrimination over discounts on new cars.

The new car market in March climbed 1.5% to an all-time high for the month at 408,024 units registered.

Online car retailer, OneSwoop (www.oneswoop.com), is denying claims that the introduction of European legislation will damage the appeal of unofficial imports.

BMW stole Jaguar's lead in the latest biannual RMI Dealer Attitude Survey, but Chrysler took a hammering from its Jeep dealers.

The vehicle body repair industry has asked the Government to investigate a VAT loophole being exploited by insurance companies that operate their own vehicle accident repair centres.

Crystal Motor Group, the automotive retailer to aftermarket firm, says it hopes to expand its repair network later this year.

##Crystal--left## Crystal Motor Group, the automotive retailer to aftermarket firm, says it hopes to expand its repair network later this year.

Auction prices from BCA, Manheim, Cars Direct,

The Government's failure to do enough to correct its anti-diesel stance in the Budget has been savaged by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

##Enabol--left## A web-based trading community for automotive parts and services has been created out of a management buy-out from HR Owen.

Autotrader.co.uk has signed a partnership with Microsoft's car buying and ownership website, MSN Carview, to provide an interactive used car service.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation is meeting today with Government and transport officials to update them on how the proposed changes to Block Exemption will affect the retail sector of the motor industry.

Mercedes-Benz sold more cars in Britain in the first 10 weeks of this year than in any of the first 10 years of its UK operation.

The obstacles to importing a vehicles from the continent are increasing – along with the price – according to Glass's Guide, which means good news for the UK franchised dealer.

Clarion Events, the organisers of the London Motor Show, has unveiled the results of its £1 million additional investment in the show which will see cars exhibited in their sectors rather than on individual manufacturers' stands.

Suzuki GB has cancelled its plans to attend this year's London Motor Show.

Former Ryland Group director Nick Whale this week said Damon Hill's new BMW dealership would remain outside his group “for now”.