Carmakers rescued the November new car market from collapse by clearing unsold stocks of old model year cars at bargain basement prices. Both Ford and Vauxhall intervened to offer extra sales bonuses to dealers registering 1999 model year cars in an effort to clear the parking lots.
Used car retailer Concept Automotive Services has opened a flagship store in Enfield, north London, during a flurry of activity that resulted in two senior appointments.
North-east retailer Benfield Motors is claiming an instant success for its 'two-for-one' sales scheme launched this month.
Tax rules changed at the beginning of December to enable VAT-registered businesses buying double cab pick-ups with a payload of more than one tonne to reclaim the VAT charged on the purchase price.
A new internet car shopping service is posing a fresh threat to established websites like Autobytel and Autohit, which charge dealers monthly subscription fees.
The Greenhous Group has launched a low-price used car operation which offers customers a 'no-frills' package.
Mitsubishi dealers have had to take a margin cut and reduced bonuses to help fund the highly-publicised price cuts of up to 15% announced this month.
The European Commission is next week expected to announce an investigation into the UK Government's planned £152m aid package for BMW's Rover Birmingham plant.
Automotive industry leaders were this week infuriated by the Competition Commission's failure to meet the December 16 deadline set for its report on new car retailing.
Mitsubishi's price cuts brought an instant reaction from the buying public. More calls went through the dealer network in two days than in the previous month and dealers increased their daily order rate from 25 cars to 150.
Mini - pioneering, classless and 40 - is the Automotive Management car of the century. In Las Vegas this weekend, it battles for the supreme accolade against Citroen DS, Ford Model T, Porsche 911 and VW Beetle. The award is based on public Internet votes and those of 132 automotive journalists in 32 countries.
London body repairers, many at the point of collapse from spiralling overheads, have decided to take direct action in a bid to persuade insurers to improve remuneration packages. Bob Hood, senior manager of the Retail Motor Industry Federation Bodyshop Services Division, chaired a meeting of 70 leading repairers at the association's headquarters in London where an agreement was reached to set up a 'London Bodyshop Alliance'.
Companies gearing up for Christmas and the Millennium celebrations created a November surge of medium LCV sales.
BMW is confident the 3 Series Touring will rapidly gain ground on its main rivals, Audi's A4 Avant and Mercedes-Benz C-class estate, which have consistently outperformed the estate.
BMW is bullish about diesel prospects after launching the 320d at £21,345 - £22,645 in SE trim.
A German Internet sales service specialising in prestige used cars is about to receive the backing of one of Europe's largest publishing houses.
Citroen is going head-to-head with the Renault Scenic when it launches the Xsara Picasso into the crowded UK MPV sector in late spring.
British Car Auctions has introduced a revised brand structure for its business divisions, enabling customers to clearly identify the range of services offered.
A year ago, we began by noting that the difficulties of 1998 had come as a shock to many because the residuals from some forecasters had been considerably more optimistic than turned out to be justified. That was because those forecasters had been working in the heady atmosphere of the mid-90s, when the market was booming.
Most people would agree that 1999 has been one of the worst trading years in memory. It began with even the most experienced trade people apparently mis-reading the market, and hardly anybody is seeing the year out without a few bruises.
A used car stock locator promising to “pile high and sell quick” has been launched specifically for the trade.
Volkswagen has cut the prices of commonly replaced parts on the current Transporter range by up to 70%.
