News - Page 1367

The MVRA hopes to gain full approval of its code of conduct from the Office of Fair Trading in the next few months.

The Auto Body Projects website has been revised to become the home of the ABP Club.

Dealers have been warned to stop illegally retaining ownership as ‘keeper’ for three months of new cars sold to customers, so as to qualify for carmakers’ bonuses.

The flagship Clio – remixed by Renaultsport – has broken cover. The supermini hot hatch has surfaced at the Nürburgring, an unusual move for Renault, which tends to stick to its French proving grounds.

Carmakers are being put under pressure to standardize the height and strength of bumpers, following a report published this week by Thatcham, the motor insurers’ research centre.

Last year everything looked peachy. General Motors turned over $193bn. It made $3.7bn profit, selling nine million cars.

Car buyers are becoming more internet-savvy, but dealerships aren’t, according to a study showing that 65% of customers who want to buy cars via the internet never receive a response to an online query.

Car supermarket Motorpoint is rebranding as it continues to expand its operation throughout the country.

Audi this week launches it own television channel in the UK which, if successful, could be rolled out in other countries.

Total car production in the three months to September rose by 5.6 per cent compared with the previous three months, says the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The Newcastle and Midlands-based Nissan and Ford supplier Vickers Pressings Tolwood Automotive, has been placed in administration.

Tougher emissions regulations have signalled the end of production of Toyota’s Corolla T Sport model, but its hot hatch reputation is being kept alight with the introduction of a Corolla that’s faster, more powerful and has better handling.

Dixon Motors has sold seven dealerships and is in the process of disposing of a further four, as it looks to move the business back to a “more traditional motor trade model”.

Renault UK managing director Philippe Talou-Derible believes there will be “open warfare” if dealers decide to go head-to-head for business after the scrapping of the location clause this month.

North east-based dealer group Prestige Car Direct is to exit the motor industry with its move to sell the entire network.

Three more vehicle manufacturers have announced their End of Life Vehicle (ELV) network arrangements ahead of the January 1, 2006 deadline.

CAP has developed a new software system that analyses trends in historic data to forecast future residual values.

Hertfordshire-based retailer Waters Group, part of the Automotive Retail Group which owns the Autoplanet used car superstores, has opened a £4m Renault dealership in St Albans.

Two in three used car buyers do not carry out background checks on the vehicle they are purchasing, according to a YouGov survey.

The online version of Parker’s Price Guide - www.parkers.co.uk – is launching an approved used car marketplace at the end of the month.

Many franchised dealers are missing a valuable opportunity to boost customer relations and profits by not offering a tyre replacement service.

GP Automotive, the Kidderminster-based aftermarket warehouse distributor has acquired the Veco brand from Vegem International Limited.

Top Technician 2006 has joined forces with Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) to offer increased value to entrants and their employers.

UK drivers are adopting their own version of the Highway Code in a bid to save time, according to new research published today.

Mitsubishi Motors and Toyota have warned 'grey' importers bringing cheap versions of their cars and pick-up trucks to Europe from Japan and Thailand they are prepared for court action to stop the estimated £300m-a-year business.

Ford Motor Company is planning to cut at least 2,000 jobs at its plants in Europe this winter.

Regional fast-fit business Mr Unique has bought a Citroën showroom and aftersales franchise from Hertfordshire motor retail group Charvills.

Franchised motor retail group Lookers has bought parts distributor APEC Braking in a £9.25m transaction.

Delphi insists filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy will not affect the pensions of former staff of its UK operation.

One in ten motorists admits to having driven a vehicle without a valid MoT certificate.