##Mercedes dealers--left## The Mercedes Benz UK Dealers' Campaign today rejected DaimlerChrysler UK's justification of its decision to terminate dealer contracts in December of this year and will now take the case into the courts.
Coverage of the seminars, sponsors and exhibitors at the latest Digital Dealer Fair.
Manheim OnLine, the interactive auction service from Manheim Europe, has announced record sales for the first two months of the year.
Dixon Motors has created a new operations board. The 10-strong team are drawn from all areas of the group and is designed to improve communication, operational activity and team support.
Family owned Fiat dealership B S Marson & Sons of Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been awarded the title of 'Masters of Distinction 2000' in an on-going national dealer development programme run by Fiat Auto (UK) for Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealerships.
##Cars Direct--left## America's largest internet car seller, carsdirect.com, has moved out of the UK market after UK company Cars Direct Group threatened to take High Court action if carsdirect.com traded under that name in the UK.
Sytner Group opened an exclusive BMW Store yesterday in Cheapside, in the centre of London's City square mile.
Toyota GB has appointed Peter Howarth as its commercial vehicle manager, reporting to Jon Pollock, general manager fleet sales.
Auction prices from BCA.
Vauxhall Motors marketing director Dean Barrett will be a speaker at Used cars: the future, the Automotive Management spring conference.
Block Exemption has moved a step further to being abolished in its current form as an influential Parliamentary Committee backed recommendations that it reformed.
The price disparity between the UK and Europe is now negligible as the majority of internet-based importers begin to increase prices and UK dealers become more competitive, according to the latest Car Price Check report.
Kevin James has been appointed as the new director of Seat UK.
Last year saw a 54% rise in the number of businesses in the automotive retail sector experiencing financial problems.
Land Rover is aiming to increase its impact in the commercial vehicle sector with the launch of two new commercial vehicles at the forthcoming Commercial Vehicle show at the NEC, Birmingham on 20 March.
The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association has refuted speculation that it is to merge with rival trade association RMI due to falling membership.
Registrations rose in February by 7.3%, the fifth consecutive month of growth, confounding expectations of a blip in new car sales.
Dealers remain cautious about the prospects for March though there is more optimism in the prestige sector than in the volume business.
The first three months of the year have been more hectic than many can remember. After months of worrying about a lack of customers the sales rush has been a welcome respite for dealers genuinely concerned about their long term future.
Ford has this month launched an in-car telematics system in Germany that could have major implications for the accident repair and car servicing sector.
Programmes for Success, which evolved from automotive refinisher R-M's Programmes for Profit, was developed in response to growing demands from body repairers for assistance in raising profitability.
Direct lenders and banks have held interest rates firm this month, despite predictions the Bank of England may push base rates lower over the medium term.
Insurance giant Royal & SunAlliance is to speed up the authorisation process by adopting AudaAudit, an automated estimate review system from Audatex.
Dutch chemicals giant Akzo Nobel has acquired US paint firm MAC Speciality Coatings, dampening speculation that it was set to offload its Sikkens refinish division.
A Manchester solicitor has urged companies not to surrender to prosecutions brought by the Environmental Agency after successfully defending a garage accused of transferring controlled waste to an unauthorised person.
Increased dealer protection resulting from the Block Exemption review, a new Microsoft alliance and the presentation of the first AM website of the year award are among the highlights from day one of the Digital Dealer Fair.
DaimlerChrysler UK and its Mercedes-Benz dealer network were this week on a collision course for a damaging court-room battle after management staff, including M-B UK director Dermot Kelly (right), brushed aside calls for talks.
##Cap Net--left## Cap Motor Research has today announced the launch of a new automotive business alliance designed to meet the needs of dealers, manufacturers, insurers, finance providers, fleets and remarketing specialists through use of the internet.
Pearlglass, the new company running Perry Group's former motor division, believes it can outperform the plc. Paul Millard, Pearlglass joint managing director, said: “We have acquired the retail side while the market has bottomed out – the only way forward is up.
