The motor trade is bracing itself for a dip in forecourt activity during the World Cup season, which starts on Friday.
Staff at Peugeot’s Ryton plant have voted against strike action (516 to 440) to oppose the decision to cut 2,300 at the site next year.
DaimlerChrysler has appointed Peter Lambert as managing director of Chrysler Group UK.
Scotland, a traditional proving ground for new products and marketing concepts, has provided a lucrative staging post into Britain for Bank of Ireland’s motor finance arm, Northridge Finance.
Automotive research agency APD is advocating outsourcing F&I sales to specialists to cut headcounts, save on overheads and attain manufacturers’ targets.
Harley-Davidson Financial Services has joined the Finance and Leasing Association’s motor finance division.
Asset-based lender APAK is linking with Redhill-based Santander Consumer to offer online wholesale stocking finance for the expanding network of retailers.
AM Briefing brings aftersales managers together for debate
Pendragon has consoled itself after its bid for Lookers was rejected in April by purchasing Midlands-based Speeds Motor Group for an undisclosed amount.
Peter Vardy, whose father Sir Peter sold Reg Vardy plc to Pendragon three months ago, was this week expecting to acquire his first dealership after gaining experience in the family business.
Peugeot has cancelled the Coventry debut of the 207 at the Ricoh Arena because of pressure from the local community, according to the Transport and General Workers Union.
Peugeot has launched a range of sports accessories for its 206 model.
Ford’s premium Ford Insure, underwritten by Norwich Union, is offering younger drivers free insurance and Trafficmaster’s SmartNav for one year under a scheme covering Ka and the Fiesta Style.
A single technical standard for the UK body repair sector is set to come into effect from October this year.
Automotive Skills, in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute and Institute of the Motor Industry, has redeveloped and relaunched the Automotive Retail Management Standards (ARMS) programme after a slow take-up by the industry.
Andy Carroll has announced his resignation from Chevrolet after almost four years with the company.
Infiniti will launch in the UK at the end of 2008. Nissan’s premium brand has broken out of its Stateside pen and into Asia and the middle east, with Russia set to be its first European outpost from August.
Bristol and London has signed an exclusive two year contract to provide accident management services to TVR drivers through TVR’s 15 dealer outlets and eight approved repair centres.
Stephen Farmer, owner of S and J Autos in Barry, south Wales, is one of 11 men jailed for a total of 60-years for running a drugs ring from the car repair workshop.
Mail on Sunday has revealed a growing number of ‘staged crashes’ by criminals who go on to make bogus claims said to cost the insurance industry £200m a year.
XML has been chosen as the body repair industry’s IT system of choice at an Audatex-sponsored meeting.
Body repairers are said to be ‘outraged’ by the terms and conditions in a new approved repairer contract issued by WNS Assistance, the UK’s third biggest handler of motor claims after Norwich Union and Direct Line.
Norwich Union has now agreed terms to purchase the three bodyshop sites owned by Deejay Accident Repair Centres in Finchley, Tottenham and Wood Green (AM May 19).
Arnold Clark Automobiles has purchased two BMW/Mini dealerships in Scotland as the platform for growth in prestige car sales.
More than six months after saying that it would franchise its brand as part of a nationwide expansion, cut-price retailer CarShock has been unable to land a single agreement.
North east retailer Springfield Motor Group has launched a new website in a bid to improve access to its products and services.
Within a month of his group going into administration, former MG Rover dealer council chairman Richard Cort has re-opened the Fiat dealership in Bury that he acquired in 1993.
Kia is looking to increase its 1.2% fleet market share by implementing an aggressive marketing policy.
Roy Lumley, of Technical Car Services, York, has been named as the UK’s Top Technician, taking the title, trophy and £2,000 cash prize.
Retailers are reminded that if they are planning to install a TV in their dealership for the duration of the World Cup, they have to buy a licence.
