A Ford dealership group has been created to rescue Somerset-based Whyte Knight which collapsed early this year. Edwards of Salisbury, with a turnover of around £60m, will control a large market area taking in central Somerset and stretching across into west Wiltshire.
The success of the 206 range in the UK has taken Peugeot registrations above 100,000 units for the first six months of the year. The milestone means the company, French owned but with a manufacturing base in the UK, joins Ford and Vauxhall to create a 'Big 3' in the UK market.
European Motor Holdings chief executive Richard Palmer, buoyed by a falling threat from unofficial importers, plans to buy more prestige dealerships.
Renault UK announced a three-year warranty on all models as the Birmingham motor show opened at the NEC but a spokesman did not anticipate any immediate price cuts.
Bristol Street Holdings, the multi-franchised group which owns the Motor Nation used car supermarkets, has emerged as a possible buyer of Lex Autosales.
Volvo Car UK believes the new S60 will enable it to mount a challenge to the BMW 3 Series. Communications director John Lefley said: "The BMW is still the benchmark car worldwide but what Lexus has achieved with IS200 Volvo can achieve with this car.
Twelve leading Scottish motor dealer groups with a combined annual turnover of more than £500m are forecasting big savings through a buying consortium.
Computer software giant Microsoft is preparing for next year's pan-European launch of its Carview automotive website as manufacturers cut prices.
Compact executive sector model launches will allow prestige brands to challenge volume carmakers, said Audi UK director Kevin Rose at the UK launch of the latest A4.
Autobytel has abandoned its original strategy of offering parallel imports because cuts have started to harmonise UK and other EU prices.
MG Rover made "a tactical error" by staying away from the Birmingham motor show, said Professor Garel Rhys, of Cardiff Business School.
Around 1,750 franchised dealers are to have access to used cars bought at wholesale prices enjoyed by leading retail groups.
Daewoo Cars wants to retain its owned UK retail structure, regardless of which carmaker acquires the manufacturer.
Ford and Firestone are facing increased legal pressure to recall more Explorers as relatives linked to fatal tyre failure crashes seek damages.
Carmakers are about to be forced to declare pre-registrations, the pratice which 'doesn't exist' according to some executives. Rupert Saunders explains how the system will work.
Massive preregistration by carmakers and dealers failed to push the September new car market past the psychologically important 400,000 mark and it finally stalled at 386,999 units, the low end of most industry forecasts.
Ford will at next week's Birmingham motor show unveil a plan to offer its whole range over the internet at a discount.
Audi this week announced its new A4, attempting to catch attention in the gap between the Paris and Birmingham motor shows.
General Motors and Fiat this week confirmed plans to conduct preliminary due diligence at cash-strapped Daewoo Motors.
Ford Motor Company and PSA Peugeot Citroen announced at the Paris motor show that they would co-operate in automotive telematics in Europe. Other carmakers are being asked to decide whether they would like to join the co-operation.
ACEA, the European carmakers trade association, is stepping up its campaign in support of Block Exemption ahead of the European Commission's review.
Aston Martin is giving a price guide of £150,000 to £200,000 for Vanquish which becomes the Ford subsidiary's new flagship.
Porsche achieved a publicity coup by arranging for its Carrera GT concept to be driven up the Champs Elysee early on the morning of press day at the Paris motor show. According to Porsche insiders, the model could go into production in 2003.
Ian McAllister believes price cuts will give Ford dealership staff a new confidence when talking to customers. “I asked them to go out and blow the doors off the market,” said the Ford of Britain chairman.
As motor show unveilings go, it was not among the most auspicious. BMW's latest model, the new Mini, was revealed to seated journalists at the Paris motor show, who, at best, caught sight of the Cooper's white roof.
In the fast moving world of the internet it is surprising that not much seems to have changed since our last survey. Recent analysis of the US economy has concentrated on productivity gains and the question of their sustainability.
Nick Reilly believes Vauxhall has gained valuable experience in internet sales in the UK and is “well placed to take advantage” of any surge in online sales activity.
Suzuki expects the new Ignis to appeal to a broad range of potential buyers who are looking for a flexible car that has a range of functions.
Renault's new Laguna, inspired by the 1995 Initiale concept car, will be on sale in the UK from February. UK executives are pressing the manufacturer to keep prices at current levels because of the fierce competition in the sector.
Audi is facing up to a “tough and demanding year” in the UK in 2001, said UK boss David Ingram. He blamed frustrating delays in sourcing new models which threatened to hinder their aspirations of climbing to an overall volume of 42,000 from the projected 40,000 units this year.
