The number of parallel-imported light commercial vehicles sold in the UK is rising fast.
The RMI has made two key appointments to drive forward its strategy during a difficult period for the retail motor industry.
Vicky Fletcher is bucking the trend in the male-dominated retail motor industry after being appointed workshop manager at James Edwards Land Rover in Chester.
Scotland's car dealerships are ready to form a number of buying cooperatives, branded unofficially as Scotland plc, to maximise their purchasing power with car manufacturers.
There is deep scepticism among dealers about manufacturers regularly publishing the number of cars they have preregistered. Of those asked, 66% did not believe this would happen, with 28% believing it would and 6% not knowing.
Peter Vardy, head of the UK's third biggest motor retail group, wants a radical rethink by manufacturers in the way they relate to their franchised dealers.
Franchised dealers do not believe carmakers are genuine when they claim it would be hard for them to reduce UK new car prices, according to the latest dealer opinion survey.
Mercedes-Benz dealership Portway has appointed Mike Sands as dealer principal. He succeeds Mike Lishman who left to join another Mercedes outlet.
Motor dealers' hopes that they can continue to be the mainstay of car sales have been given a fillip by a survey of manufacturers' objectives.
David Wilson has joined the unofficial premium brands dealer Cheynedirect to head its specialist Porsche sales division.
BMW appears to have overcome its faltering UK image after achieving record registrations for May. The carmaker, which offloaded Rover last month, took 3.03% of the market on sales of 5,890 units, up 18.39% on last year.
Pendragon, the AM100-topping dealer group, is to expand its operations in continental Europe. Chief executive Trevor Finn said the company planned to open more dealerships in Germany this year before moving into other European markets.
Dixon Motors has become the first AM100 group to abandon manufacturers' “fantasy” lists in favour of its own pricing scheme.
Alfa Romeo's market share has stabilised after a strong rise last year, thanks to the 156.
Reg Vardy has this week acquired from the receivers the collapsed Anderson Cars' Renault dealership in Aberdeen for £1.725m.
Virgin Cars' chief executive Ian Lancaster is leading a move to form an association to fight for the rights of internet-linked motor retailers.
Mercedes-Benz has launched a new service card for all Mercedes truck and van operators.
LDV, the specialist van maker, recorded a 26% increase in sales in April.
Goldman Sachs has been appointed by Standard Chartered to help find a buyer for Chartered Trust. A number of approaches have been made and a likely purchase price would be up to £700m.
Priory Motor Group has acquired Herbert Robinson as both groups seek to take advantage of potential bulk buying 'fleet-type' discounts. The move creates a £209m turnover, 27-outlet business.
Carmakers face an annual bill of £300m in the UK for scrapping worn-out old cars and light-medium commercial vehicles returned by owners, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Phoenix Consortium has called on former Rover executives to fill vital board positions, believing they have the experience and background knowledge to drive the carmaker into profit.
Ford is planning a radical shake-up of its new Land Rover division after two years of losses under BMW's ownership.
EasyJet entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou is challenging the car daily rental market with his Easyrentacar.com cut-price rental firm.
Citroen's specialist commercial vehicle dealer network is now selling a Klege Europ temperature-controlled vehicle.
Land Rover aims to cash in on the booming double-cab pick-up market with the launch of the Defender 110 Double Cab.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) is developing a national approved repairer agreement for the insurance and car body repair industries following discussions with the Association of British Insurers.
Quicks Motor Group expects to cut the cost of supplying spare parts for Ford cars by 5% through transferring its business processes online.
Dealers can now auction cars free over the internet by using Ebid, the UK online auction house.
Rover Cars is offering a 10% across-the-range retail price discount during June as its new owner Phoenix attempts to build on recent sales success.
