News - Page 1249

More aftermarket suppliers have joined the campaign to promote the PAS 80 Kitemark for UK vehicle repairers.

Kia’s decision to launch the C’eed with a five-year warranty – seven years for powertrain – is a vote of confidence for the quality standards at the new European plant in Slovakia.

Cabin air filters and torsional vibration dampers (TVDs) are the latest addition to FPS’s extensive product range.

United Auto Group (UAG) has bought so many dealers in the UK that it is going to have to suspend any further acquisitions.

A Widnes vehicle recovery company and its managing director have been found guilty at Liverpool Crown Court of health and safety offences which led to the death of a company employee.

JCB has ended talks with Jaguar regarding a possible acqusition from parent company Ford.

Rolls-Royce has set a new target to recycle 75% of all waste materials generated at its Goodwood facilities by the end of 2007.

Citroen’s dancing and ice-skating C4 model will actually be doing it in person with a team of dancers at this month’s MPH 06 show.

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Vice President, Graham Smith of Toyota (GB), has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2006 GreenFleet Awards held at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.

Brian Smith is to leave Continental Tyre Group at the end of December, after 13 years as managing director.

Yokohama HPT, the UK distributor for Yokohama tyres and TSW, Mak and Mangels alloy wheels, has added three new ranges of replacement alloy wheels to its portfolio.

The Land Rover Discovery 3 is on sale now and is the company’s first model range to be offered with a Land over Watch stolen vehicle tracking device.

A retailer director has spoken out against LingsCars founder Ling Valentine, saying that all members of the automotive retail community need to work together.

Chrysler Group is preparing a sales assault for conquest and corporate customers after reducing the average ownership cost of its cars by almost a quarter this year.

Citroën dealers will have four MPVs to promote to family-orientated customers from next spring.

Half-year results from HR Owen at the end of last month show that Nick Lancaster’s business is still trading at a loss, though profit from the sale of businesses allowed the prestige car group to report a return to profit of £1m.

Autoclenz gained £1m of new business in the first six months of the year, and added a further £700,000 to its annual turnover with a new contract in July.

The European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs (CECRA) used its recent conference in Brussels to call for a renewal of a specific Block Exemption Regulation for the automotive distribution and aftermarket industry after the expiry of the current regulation in 2010.

August and September have been busy for the FSA. There has been some significant disciplinary action to learn from.

The management of Just Car Clinics is furious after its plans to buy Gateway Autos were thwarted by a rival bodyshop group at the eleventh hour.

Insurers and bodyshops had an opportunity to explain their needs to each other during the annual Bodyshop Industry Conference last month.

Keith Sayfritz, group chairman of the Greenhous Group, has announced his intention to stand down from his role as president of the RMIF at the end of the year.

Audatex has apologized to its UK accident repair clients following an IT failure that put its AudaEnterprise estimating handling system out of action.

Jacques Prost has been appointed as vice president of powertrain engineering.

Motor traders are facing fines of up to £5,000 if they fail to supply their vehicle details to the Motor Insurance Database, the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) revealed today.

The Independent Factors Association’s board has appointed Andy Buttfield as its new chairman with immdiate effect.<P>

Carter & Carter have increased revenue to £94 million in the year ended July 31, compared to £51m in the year ended July 31, 2005.

Rover 75s will go on sale in China later this month badged as the Roewe Grand Prestige.

Macrae & Dick saw its sales and profits fall in 2005 as a result of the MG Rover collapse.

Hyundai has today opened its new €50 million (£34 million)European headquarters in Offenbach, near Frankfurt, Germany, the next step in the company’s strategy to become one of the top automotive brands in Europe.