Paint manufacturer Standox, part of the DuPont-owned Herberts division, is following the e-commerce trend with the launch of electronic trading facilities for its bodyshop customers.
Repairers have been warned that they may face a slump in business over the next 12 months if the Government forces carmakers to reduce UK prices.
Carmakers are still trying to find the right marketing formula to shift the metal amid clear signs customers are staying out of the showrooms and waiting for headline prices to drop.
The industry is going through a period of uncertainty which may last through the summer -perhaps even until the next registration plate change at the beginning of September.
Used car values have this month suffered their worst slump since the current market downturn started in July 1998, falling by 7.7% compared to May last year.
Tata plans to “strengthen” its UK dealer network to prepare for the Indicar hatchback launch early next year. The Indian car company will add 30 more dealerships by December, taking the total number of franchised outlets to 80.
Virgin Cars has again looked to the motor industry to fill vacant management positions after appointing Richard Whitton as group operations director.
Land Rover will grow faster and further under new owners Ford, according to managing director Mike Wright.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation has warned the Government its plan to introduce “volume related” discounts on wholesale car prices could eliminate many rural and provincial dealerships and rapidly reduce competition.
Mario Monti, the EC Competition Commissioner, who has responsibility for reviewing Block Exemption in 2002, has cast doubts over the degree of competition between dealers selling the same makes of car.
Lookers plc this week became the first victor in Renault and Nissan's radical shake-up of its dealer networks in the UK and elsewhere.
Mercedes-Benz plans to broaden its appeal in the UK to younger drivers and achieve a better balance between retail and corporate customers.
Sir Richard Branson has thrown the gauntlet in front of UK franchised dealers by vowing that Virgin Cars will become the No1 motor retailer and 'the biggest car dealership in the country'.
Ford of Britain, which last year recorded a pre-tax loss of £119m, has increased its retail influence with the purchase , for an undisclosed price, of two Surrey dealerships through Polar Motor Group.
Unions this week attempted to block the appointment of Kevin Howe as chief executive of Rover Cars. TGWU official Tony Woodley is thought to have told Phoenix head John Towers that Mr Howe would not be an appropriate choice.
Mercedes-Benz is planning to sell left-hand drive Smart cars in the UK by the end of the year, possibly with a launch at the Birmingham Motor Show in October, with right-hand variants going on sale in 2001.
Phoenix is to curtail “flashy” expenditure on high-profile motor shows, cancelling plans to exhibit Rover cars at the Birmingham motor show in October.
Honda president Hiroyuki Yoshino has scotched speculation that the Japanese carmaker is poised to purchase “up to 49%” of the rescued Rover group. Honda's partnership with Rover ended in 1994 after the BMW acquisition.
The bosses of two of Europe's leading car makers have defended the new car pricing structure , blaming the lack of tax harmonisation and currency fluctuations on Continental price differences.
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.
Dealers can now auction cars free over the internet by using Ebid, the UK online auction house.
Quicks Motor Group expects to cut the cost of supplying spare parts for Ford cars by 5% through transferring its business processes online.
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.
Colt Car Company, the UK Mitsubishi importer, is to sell cars bought in Japan through its Red Zebra approved used car outlets.
Mitsubishi importers across Europe have been told that they will not be amalgamated into the DaimlerChrysler operation.
Lee Collins plans to expand the £37m turnover Prestons BMW and Hillendale Land Rover, in Colne, Lancs, after being appointed group managing director.
Anderson Cars, one of Scotland's leading motor groups with a turnover of £102m, has been forced to call in the receivers.
Lex Autosales has poached marketing director Alistair Welham from leading rival Concept.
The strength of the pound and rising competition from unofficial imports have persuaded Porsche Cars GB to cut prices to 1995 levels despite an order bank of 3,500.
Europe's largest tyre safety blitz starts next month when retailers in the UK, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Scandinavia draw attention to the importance of keeping tyres safe and legal.
