News - Page 1364

The UK’s largest wholesale distributor of tyres is having a frantic end to a busy year.

Motor parts wholesaling chain Maccess has cleared up confusion caused by an ICC Credit statement that the £61m turnover business is in administration.

Uninsured drivers will have their cars seized and destroyed as from today.

Ford and Fiat have signed an agreement to cooperate on the joint development and production of vehicles in the European small car (sub-B) segment.

The Office of Fair Trading is being asked to look into whether actions by carmakers to stop grey imports into the UK are restriction of trade.

Motor dealers have long been the outcasts of the stock exchange. Up to a few years ago there were plenty of cheap shares about, or ‘value investments’ as they call companies with low valuations in comparison to their size.

The collapse of Capital Chrysler has led to ChryslerJeep UK rethinking its representation in London and an announcement is likely by the end of the year.

Shortage of good quality three-year-old stock handed company car fleets and leasing companies a Q3 bonus.

A quirky city car unveiled at October’s Tokyo motor show could go on sale in the UK next summer – and dealers will be given the choice whether or not to put it in showrooms.

Speed bumps that flatten out for drivers who keep to the speed limit could soon be introduced by councils across the UK.

Premier Motorauctions in Leeds held a send-off last month for its business development manager, Alan Rodgers, who has retired.

A prime-time Channel 5 documentary series this winter will follow the appointment and training of a sales consultant at a franchised dealership.

BP Lubricants is supporting a new aftermarket concept to be introduced into the UK next year which will offer motorists a drive-through mini-service service without booking.

The Automotive Distribution Federation is welcoming Lord Heseltine as guest speaker at its AGM next month.

VOSA’s introduction of online booking for MoT tests is being affected by technical issues.

Steve Mitchell, a technician at Holdcraft Honda in Stoke-on-Trent, receives an award as Honda Technician of the Year from Patricia Richards, Automotive Skills chief executive.

Sykes-Pickavant is revamping its diagnostics strategy to provide increased support and product information to its customers.

Renault is hoping a free breakdown cover offer will help it retain customers when their cars come out of warranty.

Ford will appoint Steven Hamp as vice-president and chief of staff, reporting to chairman and CEO Bill Ford on December 1.

Franchised dealers can sign up for a support programme which Castrol says will help grow service business for older cars.

British motorists are more courteous to fellow drivers if they're good looking, according to a new survey.

SAH, the dealer group based in the north of England, has signed with Kerridge Automotive Systems for Autoline, the dealer management system supplied by Kerridge.

Car registrations have fallen by 10.8% in October to 152,497 units.

Reg Vardy has issued a pre-close update in advance of its interim results for the six months ended October 31 2005, which will be announced in January 2006.

Nissan’s Pathfinder is now being offered with three new offers in order to drive sales.

The last Rover built at Longbridge before the company collapsed has found a new home – in a museum.

Ford intends to cut 2,600 staff in Europe by the end of this year, according to a German newspaper report.

Hyundai is making three key changes to support its future sales and growth in the UK and Europe.

Skoda is on the growth trail again, says director Chris Craft. And with the network performing well, a strong model line-up and healthy market share, the UK boss is looking forward to a good 2006.

Jaguar dealers are being urged by managing director Bibiana Boerio to “stop whingeing about what we don’t have”.