News - Page 1353

The John Cooper Works engine tuning kit is now available for the Mini Cooper S with automatic transmission.

Total Oils and Lubricants has signed up to exhibit at The Aftermarket Show, which runs from January 12th to 15th at the NEC Birmingham.

Aftermarket distributor GP Automotive has begun redevelopment of the Veco brand.

Wolverhampton Chrysler and Jeep dealer Drayton is offering a free vehicle check and a discount on servicing.

LDV has agreed a rescue deal to save the troubled firm, saving 1,200 jobs.

Ten trainee automotive technicians have started their first term of Mitsubishi’s four-year ‘Advanced Modern Apprenticeship’ programme.

Kia will preview its new Soul CUV (crossover utility vehicle) at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) next month.

Halewood’s Merseyside transmission plant is preparing to double the number of transmissions built for the Ford Transit, thanks to a new £8 million investment.

Ricardo has appointed Don Irvine as director of the global vehicle product group and Dr Peter Heuser as director of the global heavy duty diesel product group.

Hella, the automotive supplier, has increased its operational profit by 19.8% to €90.6 million (£61.6m), despite a 2.2% drop in consolidated sales to €3,071 billion (£2,089bn).

HR Owen, the debt-ridden dealer group, is selling its Jaguar, Volvo and Land Rover operation in East Anglia to Lookers.

LDV, one of the last surviving UK-owned vehicle manufacturers, plans to go into administration imminently, in an attempt to save 1,200 jobs.

Pentagon is moving its Mercedes-Benz, Chrysler and Jeep operations into a new retail outlet at Portsmouth Motor Park on Monday.

The John Clark Motor Group, one of Scotland’s biggest dealers, is to invest £2.5 million in the relocation and expansion of its Dundee Audi dealership to a new site at Kings Cross Road in Dundee.

Toyota’s second generation Yaris will include the ‘Easy Flat’ seat system, a first in its class.

Used car supermarket chain Carcraft Group is launching a contract hire and leasing company which will offer a full range of contract hire, funding and vehicle management services.

A new system launched by the company behind Auto Trader will allow dealers to display their entire stock around the clock on screens inside their showrooms.

BMW Group is relying on the business acumen of its dealers to take the initiative in implementing costly and complicated measures to protect the environment.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reacted with concern over a Friends of the Earth statement calling for massive increases in tax on 4x4 vehicles, accusing it of ignoring the bigger picture on CO2 emissions and ignoring the facts.

Renault’s belated arrival in the SUV sector is likely to provide retailers with two, rather than one contender in the 4x4 market, both designed and sourced from its South Korean subsidiary, Samsung.

Nick Lancaster, who forecasts a radical shake-up in UK franchised motor retailing, says the disposal of three or four of HR Owen’s “brand groups” should be finalised by early spring.

HR Owen has spent £2m returning Jack Barclay Bentley to Berkeley Square in London’s Mayfair, and now intends to reduce sales of new cars by 30 to 220 in 2006 compared with this year.

Too many dealers look at an accident damaged vehicle, and its owner, as a problem.

Experian has won the contract as data supplier for Volkswagen Financial Services.

The Department for Transport is reviewing the DVLA’s practice of selling personal details from its registrar to anyone who claims “reasonable cause”.

AM takes a look at the latest industry news around the globe.

Results from sales around the UK.

The company car will make a major comeback in the next few years as duty of care concerns and Government measures increase its attractiveness.

The best-selling 206 supermini is in for a second lease of life when the car that replaces it goes into the showrooms next year.

Fuel experts were this week attempting to allay motorists’ fears that the explosion at an oil refinery in Hemel Hempstead will affect supply levels.