Warranty Holdings is continuing its transformation from an extended warranty company into a “motor solutions” provider with two new joint ventures.
Automotive distribution giant Finelist has gone into receivership amid allegations of financial irregularities. The action comes eight months after the £500m turnover group agreed a £1bn merger with French distributor Europe Auto Distribution.
Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, is to name a ward after Jim Quick who died suddenly aged 53 two days after the 13th anniversary of his heart transplant there.
First National is dropping the Wagon brand in a major restructuring of its motor finance division.
Citroen has given C5 the challenge of traversing the Xantia and XM ranges when it goes on UK sale in late spring. C5, an upper medium sector saloon that will also target the executive market, marks the start of Citroen's new naming policy.
Mitsubishi is expected to drop the Carisma in 2004 as it focuses on more niche models and its strength in 4x4 vehicles.
Alfa Romeo's star attraction at the Paris motor show was the 147 compact car which will go on sale in the UK next March in 3dr form followed later in the year by a 5dr.
Steppenwolf is ready to follow in the footsteps of the Audi TT and A2 by becoming the latest Audi concept vehicle to make its way into full production. Bracketed as a “study for on-road and demanding off-road” use, Steppenwolf shows how Audi development engineers visualise a high-performance all-rounder for the compact class.
Honda, developing a common rail direct injection diesel engine, was determined not to repeat mistakes from the days of its Rover partnership, said UK boss Ken Keir.
A new global marketing strategy for Saab will be rolled out with the help of UK dealers. “Britain has our best dealer network but even there we have more work to do,” said Peter Augustsson, the new president of Saab.
DaimlerChrysler's online car sales scheme, launched in Germany, is “likely” to be duplicated in Britain later this year, according to UK director of passenger cars Dermot Kelly.
The decision by Ford to pull out of buyout negotiations for Daewoo failed to dampen the Korean manufacturer's determination to highlight future projects that will combine innovation and value for money.
Ford chief executive Jac Nasser “went berserk” when told the recall of 6.5m Firestone tyres would take until the end of 2001, he told a press dinner at the Paris motor show. “We knew it had to be quicker – it could not be quick enough – and it will be finished by the end of November,” he said.
BMW premiered the Mini Cooper, revealing that the UK would get the car first in the spring of 2001. It will be sold only through selected BMW dealers.
Peugeot will launch the 607 in the UK this month, more than 12 months after the car was revealed at last year's Frankfurt motor show.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo lifted the wraps off the company's 13th new model in seven years. The 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is a limited edition roadster powered by a V12 engine and capable of 180mph. It marks the 70th anniversary of Pininfarina.
BMW hopes to have an outline plan for its UK Mini network in place by the end of this month. A BMW team, led by Mini marketing manager Trevor Houghton-Berry, is visiting every applicant to assess whether their business is suitable to sell Mini as a separate brand.
DaimlerChrysler UK is confident of selling 4,000 left-hand drive Smart City coupes next year, targeting “sophisticated buyers who wish to make a lifestyle statement”.
General Motors president and chief executive officer Richard Wagoner said at a show press briefing the group planned to be “big and fast”, with the internet a key component.
Nissan is ready to go head-to-head with Ford's Land Rover when it launches its new X-Trail 4x4 in the UK next July.
John Clark Motor Group is to invest £285,000 in developing a new group bodyshop and parts distribution centre in Aberdeen.
Body repairers have praised Retail Motor Industry Federation president John Bond-Smith for highlighting their plight at the association's annual dinner.
IT editor DAVID SUMNER SMITH sets the scene for coverage of the Automotive Management Digital Dealer Fair with this personal view of a developing car sales revolution.
It took time - around 25 years - but at last David Evans has the job he wanted. He is chief executive of the Retail Motor Industry Federation. Not 'acting'. Not 'temporary'. He is the boss.
European Commissioner Mario Monti has repeated his warning to carmakers not to violate European competition laws as he considers a review of the existing Block Exemption regulations.
Edinburgh-based Glenvarigill has paid £4m, the largest investment in its history, to acquire two Audi dealerships from the ailing Abercromby company.
Former Quicks Group chief executive and deputy chairman Alec Murray has been appointed to the board of directors at Black I.
Toyota is to create a network of specialist Hybrid Technology Centres to sell and service Prius, its hybrid petrol-electric saloon.
What Van? magazine has given its Van of the Year title to the all-new Ford Transit.
Pressure from shrinking profit margins has forced many dealers into receivership, despite retailing more cars, according to a new industry report.
