The diesel market has grown a massive 145 per cent in the last decade, fleet registrations have risen 16 per cent since 2000 and cars sales since 2005 have topped 10 million.
Tony Bramall has bought almost a quarter shareholding of Lookers, effectively blocking Pendragon’s hostile takeover bid for the Manchester-based dealer group.
John Clark regains family control ready for a business restructure.
One of the star attractions at the autoretailing two-day dealer convention is sure to be David Martin –an outstanding speaker at this year’s NADA, according to many of the UK dealers who made the trip to Orlando, Florida.
Nissan has reported a consolidated net income of 518.1 billion yen (£2.6bn), up 1.1% for the fiscal year ended March 31, a record for a sixth consecutive year.
Ford Europe and PAG’s combined pre-tax profits rose to $254 million (£142.4m) in the first quarter of this year, up from $250 (£140.2m) for the same period last year.
The average new car sold in 2005 emitted 10.7% less carbon dioxide than models registered in 1997, according to the latest Society of Motor Manufacturer and Trader’s ‘New Car Registrations by CO2 Performance’ report.
Businesses employing technicians who have achieved Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) status, have reported increased motivation and team morale as a result of the the ATA scheme, which launched last year.
Pininfarina has started production of Mitsubishi’s Colt CZC just over a year after the two companies made their agreement on design, development and production of the model.
Aston Martin will be offering the option of a factory fitted ‘sports pack’ for customers of its DB9 Coupe model from July.
Gordon Lamb, the Chesterfield and Sheffield based multi-franchise motor group, has opened the doors to its new customer contact centre.
Citroen has a summer themed special edition C3 Pluriel on offer now, called the Cote d’Azur.
Mitsubishi production fell by 66.5% to 68,551 in 2005, due to the end of production of its Space Star and Pajero Pinin models, the company said.
The new managing director of GMAC’s used car supermarket group CarLand has his sights set on the pre-registered and nearly new car sectors.
Proton is coming back at its value brand rival Kia with a five-week television advertising campaign, due to start at the end of April.
Toyota has hit back at rumours that its dealers were pre-registering cars in March in an attempt to improve sales figures.
TVR is to close its Blackpool manufacturing plant in six months, leaving a question as to where its main manufacturing base will now take place.
Dealerships occupying older showrooms could be failing to meet the needs of disabled car buyers and employees, and could face fines or compensation claims.
In its defence against the Pendragon bid, Lookers last week (Wednesday, April 12) decided to make an issue of carmakers’ rights to terminate franchises if there is a change of control.
Hyundai’s new dealer council will hold its inaugural meeting at the end of the month as it looks to address continuing unrest among retailers.
New research conflicts with the claims of some dealers that the internet is widening their sales territories, giving them a national presence. It claims that consumers are prepared to travel on average just 21 miles to buy a new car, with Londoners and those living in the south, Midlands and north east least willing to travel.
The new 3-series Coupe range will go on sale in the UK on September 23 and will feature the first twin-turbo petrol engine in a BMW.
A year after opening, Sytner BMW High Wycombe is enjoying robust trading in all areas of the business.
Norfolk-based car retail company Coredale closed on March 31 after last-ditch attempts to save the business failed.
Former William Jacks chief executive John Adair has been appointed non-executive board advisor at Sytner.
Williamson Motors, a family firm founded at Darlington in 1939, has paid £1m for a Citroën dealership, which will take its turnover to around £40m.
Cadillac claims the UK market is crucial to its success in Europe, but has refused to be drawn on sales targets.
The OFT has revoked the credit licence of Southampton motor retailer Euro Continental Cars.
The chief executive of EurotaxGlass’s, publisher of Glass’s Guide, has embarked on an expedition to the North Pole to raise £100,000 for cancer care at the Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation’s rebranding reflects its repositioning and goes much deeper than a cosmetic make-over, says director of sales and marketing, Gary Elliott.
