News - Page 1357

The start of the transition of Bentley back to a company of “real significance” was the use of the enormous pool of engineering talent that exists in Britain, the head of the prestige car company said last week.

Lincolnshire-based used car supermarket Eddie Wright is to feature in a new BBC Television series starring business consultant Alasdair Jeffrey.

Nissan has developed paint which reforms itself over scratches in a few hours.

ATS Euromaster has appointed Russel Fleetwood as its new national sales director.

Inchcape has announced that Barbara Richmond will be its new group finance director with responsibility for helping to drive the global business and grow shareholder value.

Ferrari is forecasting sales of more than 5,000 units this year, a new record for the Fiat-owned firm.

Kerridge is working in partnership with customer data company GB Group to help dealers using its Autoline management systems with their telemarketing.

Sykes Pickavant has formed a dedicated automotive diagnostics team as it looks to boost sales of its tools.

Isuzu (UK) has embarked on a pre-Christmas shopping centre tour with its Rodeo pick-up and is enticing prospective customers with the chance to win a holiday in Thailand.

Thatcham has been given the go-ahead to develop a single quality standard for the accident repair sector in partnership with the British Standards Institution.

The chairman of the National Tyres Distributors’ Association has hit out at VOSA over problems that continue to plague the rollout of computerized MoT testing.

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, whilst seemingly refusing to participate in the nuclear debate.

Gordon Brown is being urged to cut the red tape surrounding small and medium sized businesses.

Pendragon’s bid of 750p per share for Reg Vardy has this week been trumped by two rival bidders, both believed to be car retailers.

The Holden Group is relinquishing its Saab and Mitsubishi franchises in Norwich in plans aimed at increasing its long-term turnover.

Robert Stern in Worcester has been awarded the inaugural title of Mini Dealer of the Year 2005.

The next generation Sedona MPV goes on sale in July, and Kia dealers could be asked to sell a nine-seater version.

Light commercial vehicle manufacturer LDV is launching an insurance service for van operators in conjunction with CIA Insurance Services.

Peugeot has cut production and sales targets of the 1007 in recognition that the car is struggling to gain public acceptance.

The planning is underway. In November, AM and the Retail Motor Industry Federation assembled their working group to start formulating the strategy for autoretailing 06, headline sponsored by Experian.

Leading bodyshop groups have hit out at the ineffectiveness of trade associations, including the RMI Federation and VBRA.

At least 20 bodyshops launched a direct action against Endsleigh Insurance policyholders at the end of November in a bid to get paid for repairs commissioned by its collapsed work provider ARMS.

Five Mondial technicians have been named as the Mercedes-Benz Team of the Year in recognition of the manufacturer’s top performing roadside assistance technicians in the UK.

Boston Garage Equipment has scooped the 2005 Innovation in Garage Equipment award from the Institute of Transport Management.

Dutton Forshaw Motor Company has renewed its contract with Brown Brothers, part of Unipart Automotive, for the supply of bodyshop and workshop consumables to its 20 dealerships.

Foray Motor Group in Salisbury has won the automotive industry category of the National Green Apple Environment Awards.

Ian Woolcote of Hinton Garage in Bath was the winner of the Snap-On Diagnostics competition in the Autotrade section of our September 9 issue.

Wagon plc, the European automotive components group, has announced its interim results for the six months ended September 30, revealing a drop in sales from continuing operations of 7.4% to £204.2m.

Automotive parts suppliers and aftermarket companies are next in line to benefit from the growth of the Chinese car market as the first generation of Chinese-owned cars head for the repair shops, according to a report from KPMG.

Citroen will preview its new C-AirPlay concept car at this year’s Bologna Motor Show, which runs from today until December 11.