News - Page 1421

Volvo has appointed a British designer, Steve Mattin, as vice president and design director to join the company on May 1.

Automotive bosses see low cost competition as the biggest threat to the future of their sector.

AM is carrying out research into its website to ensure it provides what the industry needs.

MG Rover’s proposed partnership with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) has been delayed due to concerns from Chinese regulators, according to FT.com.

The chairman of Proton has stepped down.

January UK registrations fell 8.2% to 181,474 units, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Car prices are failing to keep up with inflation.

Patterson Ford’s managing director, Ashley Winter, has been appointed chairman of the National Ford Dealer Council for two years.

Spyware - software that is downloaded by internet users without their knowledge and tracks their use of the web - is a bigger threat to dealer computer systems than traditional viruses.

Vehicle dealers could soon be legally required to reveal full vehicle history details without being prompted.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has confirmed that Ford has started the new year exactly as it left 2004 – as market leader in new cars and commercial vehicles.

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation CEO, Takashi Nishioka and PSA Peugeot Citroën CEO, Jean-Martin Folz signed today a Memorandum of Understanding for a partnership on all-new SUV’s.

Volvo has announced that its 2004 global sales rose by 10% on 2003, a new record level of 456,224 cars sold.

Ross Hyett, a non-executive director of Aquilo, the insurance services company, has resigned, according to autowired.com.

Peugeot launched the 206 as a three-door and five-door hatchback range, but it just can’t stop spawning new models

Steve Settle has been appointed as director of Lexus GB with effect from February 1.

BMW is recalling all recently-built models with a six-cylinder diesel engine which were built in December 2004 and January 2005. This covers models such as the X5 3.0d, 730d, 530d and 330d.

Toyota Motor says its net profit in the three months to December rose 3.5% to 296.53 billion yen (£1.51bn) on strong sales in all regions and cost-cutting.

Lookers dealer group has taken a “strategic decision” to terminate its dealer franchise contract with MG Rover.

Vehicle remarketing solutions has announced record sales in January, with over 1,500 vehicles sold, an increase of over 54% on 2004.

Owners of Vauxhall cars and vans are to be offered the Origin b2 driver safety and information system, which has been added to the range of accessories available through Vauxhall retailers, priced at £429.95.

The Learning & Skills Council has commended the Land Rover Dealer Apprenticeship programme for its commitment to the development of young people.

The latest results from UK auction halls<P>

BCA and Sandicliffe Motor Group have announced a remarketing partnership following a trial period.

Vauxhall executives say residual value predictions for its Astra Sport Hatch buck trends in the fleet market.

Pendragon has taken on two Hyundai franchises, taking its portfolio to three, and marking the start of a new drive into the value-for-money car sector.

Testing of the world’s fastest, most powerful supercar has hit the UK, as development continues to ready the 249mph Bugatti Veyron for its September launch.

Twenty private dealer groups with a £2.1bn combined turnover have formed a joint venture called Retail Automotive Alliance Ltd to increase their buying power and gain greater protection from block exemption changes.

Reg Vardy insists that it hasn’t given up on its vision for the MetroCentre supersite in Gateshead despite planning delays that have curtailed building work.

Management consultant Steve Young has left his vice-presidential post at AT Kearney to concentrate on his vision for a new style of UK-based volume carmaker under the Indego brand.