Dealers can look forward to additional revenue streams next year when insurance companies will begin demanding the fitment of new insurance-approved tracking systems to high-value vehicles.
Franchised dealers have increased their share of the service market from a low point of 34% in 1998 and are now running at more than 40% by value.
Hairdressers, nightclub bouncers, gas-fitters and bodyshops: which is the odd one out? The answer – bodyshops. The rest have to be licensed to conduct business.
Lexus retailers are preparing for stage two in the manufacturer’s growth strategy which will see them significantly increase sales per outlet.
Car retailers are being offered an opportunity to target first-time buyers thanks to an innovative idea by a young businessman.
The Government should be considering new forms of car taxation that provide a greater incentive to drive environmentally friendly vehicles, according to Tim Yeo, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment and Transport.
The future of the CityRover is uncertain as MG Rover’s partner in the car, Tata Motors, has threatened to dissolve its agreement if arguments over pricing cannot be resolved.
Motor retailing has always been a tough sector for banks to get their heads around. But in the post-block exemption environment, the dealer-bank relationship is going to become more important than ever because of the new opportunities that now exist for dealerships and groups to expand their businesses.
Kia’s dealer network will come under intense pressure over the next few years as the importer has been set the tough task of taking 4% of the UK market share – equating to about 100,000 sales a year.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says it is giving new car buyers greater confidence following the approval of its New Car Code of Practice.
The Sewells Dealer Attitude Survey, seen by AM, reveals an improving relationship between retailers and carmakers – in direct contrast to the information published last month by the RMI, which claimed that dealer-manufacturer/importer relationships were at a decade low.
The automotive repair sector is edging closer towards “Rip-Off Britain II” after coming under attack from the national press based on a tabloid-style servicing survey which involved less than 0.01% of the market.
Jaguar workers facing redundancy when the manufacturer’s plant in Coventry closes next year have received the support of deputy prime minister John Prescott, who is urging Ford chiefs to reconsider the move.
ChryslerJeep is to begin the roll-out of the new Dodge branding to its dealer network in 2005, with the first cars now due to go on sale in early 2006.
Kevin Rose, who has overseen spectacular 85% growth in Audi’s UK sales volume and consolidated the brand’s premium status since becoming director in 1999, is being courted about taking a senior role within the company’s rapidly expanding Chinese operation.
A tribunal looking into the dismissal of workers at troubled Welsh business Dynamex Friction ended last month.
Hyundai is set to roll out a contract hire scheme to its dealer network in January, following a successful pilot in 14 sites. The move is part of the Korean firm’s long- term plans to be taken seriously as a player in the fleet market.
CarLand is planning to open its seventh used car superstore early next year in a move which is expected to take the company’s turnover above a quarter of a billion pounds.
Dacia’s new Logan could join Renaults in UK showrooms by 2007 offering retailers the opportunity to sell a £5,100 “value” car.
Maserati dealers will be expected to more than double their UK sales by 2007 as the prestige manufacturer begins a drive to steal wealthy customers away from the likes of BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes.
A risk management tool aimed at clarifying motor finance providers’ exposure to voluntary termination has been launched by CAP.
Harwoods Limited and Breeze Motor Company Limited have acquired the Testwood Motor Group.
A dramatic fall in Rover sales last month has fuelled growing concern for the future of the brand.
Bodyshop consumables supplier Farécla is launching into the car care market.
The Office of Fair Trading has backed Citroen in a dispute with the Retail Motor Industry Federation over showroom sizes.
New car registrations over the first nine months of 2004 stand at a record 2,079,956 units, a rise of 7,006 new cars – or 0.3%.
Kia and Suzuki enjoyed record breaking sales in September.
September CV registrations reached the highest monthly volume for 15 years.
A growth in orders has seen Remploy Automotive expand to take over three more factories.
The UK's first event promoting global collaboration between firms in the automotive sector will be staged in Wales next month.
