News - Page 1345

Kia dealers have been told they will be supplied with only 6,000 Rios this year, and not the 15,000 they believed they could have sold.

Vauxhall has dusted off a personal lease product and trialled it with selected dealers with a view to network roll-out later this year.

Nissan has terminated its franchise contract with Barons of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, following a disagreement over refurbishing the dealership to its latest corporate standards.

Peter Cameron, operations director at The Bridewell Group, and director of Network Automotive Management, is to retire this month after more than 40 years in the motor industry.

Dealer management system specialist Pinewood has reported 2005 as a record year with more than 115 dealership installations of its Pinnacle DMS.

BEN, the Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund is mourning the loss of one of its long serving members, John Joseph Tinker, who died on December 23 after a short illness.

Paul Laker, sales specialist at Harwoods of Sussex in Pulborough, has been rewarded for his outstanding success in selling the Bentley Arnage model in 2005.

After two years of record new car sales, Saab’s 94-strong UK dealer network is facing a struggle to prepare for the resultant growth in aftersales business.

Many senior automotive executives are pessimistic about the likelihood of profits improving in the motor industry in the coming years.

Five figures from the automotive industry have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list for their achievements.

All Smart retailer websites are sporting the latest corporate standards. MotorTRAK is Smart UK’s chosen partner for the provision of retailer sites and the national approved used car locator which is incoporated into the manufacturer’s main site at www.smart.com/uk.

Subaru (UK) has launched its first internet microsite dedicated to the iconic Impreza.

GMAC and Vauxhall are kick-starting new car sales in 2006 with a 0% finance promotion on models in the Corsa, Meriva, Astra, Zafira, Vectra and Signum ranges.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation has settled out of court with Denver Rollings, dealer principal of Peugeot outlet Peter Nash Cars (Hereford).

Taiwanese tyre manufacturer Maxxis is looking to build its share of the UK passenger car market and raise the brand profile through a series of trade and consumer initiatives.

Up to 90 employees of BP Lubricants Europe based at Swindon could be handed redundancy notices at the end of the month.

Privately owned service and repair group Nationwide Autocentres is investing more than £1m in new branding and signage for its 220-strong network.

Car accessories retailer Motor World is planning a five-year assault on the aftermarket sector during which it will increase its chain of stores by about a third.

Findings from the latest RAC Cost of Motoring Index reveals the cost of running the average new car has grown to nearly £5,000 a year, or £14 a day.

This year’s AM Aftermarket Conference takes place on Wednesday, March 29, at the Quadrangle in Oxford.

Michelin has ordered a recall and exchange of 255/35 ZR 20 97Y Michelin Pilot Sport Extra Load tyres.

Hartridge, supplier of diesel fuel injection test equipment, has moved to a 2,500sq ft purpose built facility in Radclive Road, Buckingham, about a mile from its previous home in Tingewick Road.

Premier Pits, supplier of inspection and service pits to workshops, has launched a new website (www.premierpits.com).

Suffolk-based parts distributor FAB Group has launched a new braking programme under the AP brand.

NGK UK had to establish a temporary headquarters for several days last month when its base in Hemel Hempsted was caught up in the Buncefield fuel depot disaster.

Reg Vardy has seen pre-tax profits for the six months to October 31, 2005 rise to £21.1 million, up from £17.3 million for the same period last year.

Mercedes-Benz recorded a slight increase (0.3%) in registrations over 2004, with 82,247 new cars sold.

Toyota GB has appointed Shimpei Kobayashi as its new chairman.

Honda’s new Accord is now available to order in the UK, available with new safety equipment which keeps the car in lane and a suitable distance from other vehicles.

The new Megane Renaultsport 225 will make its UK debut today at the Autosport International show at the NEC.