Mitsubishi has set up an affinity deal with Cox Insurance for its new and used models. which promises to undercut insurance quotes by £10.
Inchcape this week agreed to sell its 49% stake in Toyota (GB) back to parent company Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) for £42.1m, subject to EC approval. Last year, the division contributed £5m to Inchcape's pre-tax profits.
Autotrader.co.uk aims to help franchised dealers' raise new and used car sales with a series of online product launches.
North-east LCV dealer Patterson Ford has sent its technicians back to school to learn about the new Ford Transit.
Retail Motor Industry Federation officials are to meet Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers this autumn to discuss the review of Block Exemption which, according to EC officials, has failed to work in the way intended.
Nissan's decision on whether to build the new Micra at its Sunderland plant remains in the balance following this week's meeting between its president Carlos Ghosn and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
An American dealer group has linked with UK training specialist BTC to give car retailers the chance to take on newcomers such as Virgin Cars and Autobytel.
Accident Assistance has launched a new service for commercial vehicle drivers involved in non-fault accidents. Commercial Accident Care offers drivers the opportunity to stay mobile if their vehicle is forced off the road for repairs.
Maserati is seeking three more dealers in the next phase of its UK development as a subsidiary of Ferrari with the intention of trebling sales to 1,000 a year.
International Motors has appointed a management team for its new Daihatsu operation, Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors, promising greater support for the dealer network and a series of model launches.
Sytner is set to spend “several million pounds” developing its internet motor retailing business after appointing Martin Runnacles as director of e-commerce.
Mitsubishi Motors has appointed Peter Griffiths as general manager - network development with a remit to boost the dealer network from 117 to “a permanent and profitable” 150 outlets.
Land Rover has announced across-the-range price cuts up to 14% in a bid to end “uncertainty and confusion” in the UK market in time for the September plate-change.
Rover is calling on fleets to 'buy British, buy quality' in a new drive to win back its place as one of the leading fleet suppliers in the country. New fleet sales director Angus Grey said his 'door is open' to all fleets.
Speculation is mounting that Government action to reduce new car prices in the UK is merely a fortaste of more wide-ranging car retail reform following a review of the European Commission block exemption governing car sales through the European Union.
Home improvements company Everest is set to become Britain's largest gas-powered fleet following its decision to replace its 600 vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas models. The Hertfordshire-based firm has already taken delivery of 125 gas-powered Ford Transits in a multi-million pound deal, part-funded by the Government-backed Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme.
Computerised estimating provider Audatex is moving its AudaWorkstation system online in the first phase of a million-pound internet strategy.
Nissan Motor GB has launched a national parts trade programme designed to boost business for its franchised dealer network.
Audi dealers are set to take a hit on servicing revenues after the manufacturer announced plans to extend intervals to up to 30,000 miles, depending on car usage.
Nationwide Crash Repair Centres, part of Perry Group, has purchased four accident repair centres from Pendragon for £3.7m cash.
Renault is looking to keep owners of older models within its franchised network, raising aftersales profits for dealers, with the pilot launch of Minute.
Components and parts maker Visteon, which separated from parent Ford Motor Company on June 29, is targeting growth in the original equipment and aftermarket sectors.
Zurich Financial Services' decision to axe 140 approved repairers one year into a three-year contract has sent shockwaves across the industry.
Ian Lancaster, Virgin Cars chief executive, will outline his vision of the future of motor retailing at Automotive Management's autumn conference on September 26.
The next few weeks will see the motor industry literally counting the cost of months of market uncertainty. Lack of customer confidence and falling retail sales will be hitting dealers where it hurts most - in their half-year financial results.
For the second month running carmakers find themselves in limbo - unsure about which finance marketing package will work best in the run-up to September and the vital plate change.
The direct loan companies have been quietly adjusting their rates as they gear up for the big sales push on car loans through September and October.
Paint suppliers ICI Autocolor and PPG have signed a supply partnership deal with Allianz Cornhill, claimed to raise bodyshop profits and reduce Cornhill's costs by charging lower prices and improving efficiency.
Management at Peugeot's Ryton plant near Coventry are “reasonably optimistic” about avoiding a potentially disastrous strike.
Lookers has paid £3.9m for five Mark Kass dealerships in north London and Essex as it prepares to become one of the most dynamic dealer groups in the country over the next three years.
