Three thoughts strike a visitor to the Detroit auto show. One is that the products of the US industry are not all as irrelevant to the rest of the world as they once were.
CEOs' confidence about prospects for business declined for the first time since the 2003 and fear of a global recession emerged as the major threat to growth in PricewaterhouseCoopers 11th annual global CEO survey.
Average values for both fleet and lease and part-exchange commercial vehicle values fell in the fourth quarter, according o BCA’s Pulse December report.
The Karl Vella Group’s entire network is now PAS 125 Kitemark approved.
Porsche CEO, Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking has said it will be “difficult to suppress tears of joy” following an expected 14.2% rise in revenue for the first half of the year.
Jemca Toyota has been named the overall 2007 Toyota Business Centre of the Year at an award ceremony last week.
American retail business Group 1, which entered the UK last year with the purchase of Chandlers BMW/Mini, considers 50 dealerships to be “a nice size business”.
Graeme Potts, who held senior executive positions at Reg Vardy, the RAC and Inchcape Group, proposes to set up a “better world of motoring” with his new dealer group.
Vardy Property Group believes it can save motor retailers around £1 million that would otherwise be lost when they decide to expand their businesses.
Subaru has awarded four dealers with its regional used car dealer of the year award.
Ferrari GB has launched an Approved used car scheme for models up to nine years old which will help its 15 dealers win a greater share of the used market.
Simon Elliott’s first action on his confirmation as Chrysler UK managing director, was to call together the 83-strong retail network.
UK car production increased by 21% to 102,591 units in December for the sixth consecutive monthly rise.
Twenty-seven of the 33 main carmakers in the UK have a dealer council. According to the NFDA dealer attitude survey, they range from the effective – Jaguar, Toyota – to the ineffective – Volvo, Saab. Most are ranked between 2.5 and 3.0 out of five; in other words 50-60%, a ‘C’ grade at best.
Citroen has introduced an executive comfort Lounge version of its C4 Picasso especially for the UK market, priced at £23,995.
Fiat is in the black for the first time since 1998 after posting revenues 12.9% higher than last year at €59 billion (£44bn).
Smaller businesses will now pay just 10% on capital gains tax up to the first £1 million, instead of the 18% which was proposed last autumn.
Chorley Nissan Blackpool has taken on Caledonia’s Fiat site after reaching an agreement with the Italian manufacturer.
Cambria Motors has bought four Fiat dealerships from Caledonia Motors which went into administration on January 14.
Audi has opened its new showroom on Hamad Bin Suhaim Street in Qatar.
Fiat's Lancia brand has developed a Lancia Village on virtual reality social networking site Second Life.
Simon Elliott, Chrysler UK’s new managing director and ex Chrysler China boss, has been titled with CEO of the year at the China Automotive Toplist awards.
Peugeot has created a 136 Bellagio version of its 407 Coupe priced at £21,995.
Jack Doran, owner of Citroen dealer Jack Doran Motors in County Meath, Ireland, has been charged with price fixing.
General Motors is just ahead of Toyota by 3,000 units in the sales race to be the biggest car manufacturer in the world.
Toyota has revealed the eighth incarnation of its Land Cruiser V8, which replaces the Amazon in its large-scale SUV range.
David Cameron, leader of the Conservative party, has likened Gordon Brown to a second hand car dealer, with his attempts to save struggling bank, Northern Rock.
A House of Lords ruling will allow dealers to resubmit claims for overpaid VAT on demonstrators.
Koelliker UK, the new importer and distributor of SsangYong vehicles, has appointed Nigel Unwin as its marketing director to help raise the brands profile in the UK.
The Government and the European Union should not have pursued targets to increase the use of first generation biofuels, a committee of MPs has said.
