The used car market has seen falling residual values for more than two years but, for the 4x4 sector in particular, residual values have performed poorly over a much longer period. Starting from an index value of 100 in January 1995, the 4x4 sector has underperformed for almost the entire period.
Irish firm WCA has described its first grey imports auction, held in Durham, as an outstanding success after achieving a conversion rate of around 80%.
Dealers' confidence is beginning to bounce back after used car sales improved in May.
Manufacturers are warming to the internet as a way of helping dealers locate and retail used cars despite some reservations over new car stock locators.
Classic car dealers now have a dedicated internet site to sell and source vehicles with the launch of www.motoringclassics.com
Kalamazoo International will this summer provide users of its Motodata, Visi and Classic systems with low-cost upgrades.
Citroen briefly held third spot in the UK light commercial sales league at the end of the first quarter before dropping back to fourth year-to-date.
New corporate headquarters just off the M4 symbolises Honda's commitment to the UK as Ford prepares to end Dagenham car production.
Cherry picking -once restricted to the more desirable corners of the used car market -is now universal. Whether it is on late plate cars, where colour can make a difference of £500, or on three to five-year-old ex-lease and contract hire cars, cherry-picking is driven by the slowdown in retail demand.
Vauxhall's used car programme Network Q has teamed up with First Indemnity Insurance Management to offer low-cost insurance on selected Corsas, Astras, Tigras and Vectras.
Debis Remarketing Services is looking to expand into mainland Europe on the back of growing demand for internet retailing.
Motor retail executives will this autumn have a chance to compete for the industry's top awards and get in step with crucial issues at two Automotive Management events.
Razorback Vehicles, the Australian company that developed an innovative ground loading system for light commercial vehicles, is investing £19m in a UK manufacturing deal.
Martyn and Paul Carnell have returned to the motor industry after a three-year hiatus by launching a used car superstore venture in West Yorkshire.
Laurence Vaughan, Sytner Group managing director, has said he aims to make Sytner “the best company in the industry to work for”.
Axa repairers have been told to invest more than £6,000 in the Glassmatix III computer estimating system in order to be considered for a place on a reduced approved network.
A Lancashire BMW dealership's website design division is challenging specialist companies by offering the service to other car retailers.
A website at www.ukmotortrader.com wants to be a primary channel for leasing companies and dealers disposing of used cars. Dealers pay £35 per month.
Market Facts and Business Information claims insurers should concentrate on controlling time allowed per repair rather than clamping down on labour rates in its latest study of the European accident repair market.
More than 60 repairers attended the latest Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) meeting in London to call for an end to free services, such as courtesy cars, vehicle storage, collection and delivery.
The used car market represents the “best way for dealers to make money”, according to Cap Monitor chief European economist Mark Cowling.
Dealers can now source parts over the internet with the launch this month of Partstrade.com.
Scuffs, the Bristol-based vehicle cosmetic repairs firm, has secured £7.8m of funds from venture capitalist European Acquisition Capital as it targets nationwide coverage within two years.
Horners of Burnley is bypassing Fiat to source and supply parts direct to customers after launching a mail order scheme.
The Zurich Insurance approved repairer network, set up with the Motor Vehicle Repairers Association last year, could be reduced by nearly a half, according to an industry insider.
British Car Auctions is to establish a used car auction company in France next month with Renault Credit International.
Owners of the first 1,000 forecourts subscribing to the CarXchange online vehicle location business before the end of December 2000 will receive shares worth a total of 10% of the business.
Franchised dealers want to buy foreign currency from online traders such as Currencies4Less.com now the Government is encouraging them to import from mainland Europe.
Nationwide Accident Repair Centres, the bodyshop division of the Perry Group, has acquired the Bodywork accident repair business in Daventry, Northants.
The Association of Body Repairers is concentrating on cutting costs for its body repair members by acting as a direct supply chain.
