Patricia Richards, chief executive at Automotive Skills, the new government-backed industry training body, will tell delegates at the AM Dealer Conference on June 9 that she will help them address skills shortages and improve their businesses
Management consultant AT Kearney believes manufacturers will be leasing cars to customers not selling them within five years
Hard work, investment in staff training and a stable management team are behind JCT600's record pre-tax profits, which rose 51% to £11.1m on turnover up 22% at £415m. The retail group was predicting profits of £10m, but says an excellent last quarter exceeded its expectations
Twenty-one of Britain's 1,000 richest people are in the motor trade, according to the 2004 Sunday Times Rich List
Comet, the high-street electrical retailer, is launching a new car sales operation offering low-price motors as part of a two-month trial
The number of retail groups operating in the UK has fallen year-on-year, but their influence over the automotive industry is growing, according to the latest Sewells Franchise Networks report
Honda UK has moved into car retailing as part of strategy aimed at achieving ambitious growth targets. The manufacturer is ready to build its own sites as it moves towards its goal of increasing sales from 86,000 to 100,000 in the next two years
Lexus has praised its retail network for helping it achieve Gold status in the latest JD Power customer satisfaction survey, published this week. Parent brand Toyota slipped out of the top three to number four
Manheim Europe has integrated its Portfolio Europe and Vehicle Remarketing Solutions subsidiaries
Dent Devils managing director Anthony Brazzo, has resigned from the company he helped create
Norwich Union, the UK's largest insurer, has bought the internet-based retailer Oneswoop.com for an undisclosed sum
This is the car that Nissan expects to drive the launch of its Infiniti luxury division in the UK
Barclaycard signs up 500th dealer partner Barclaycard has signed more than 500 dealers since making a dramatic entrance to the £11bn car finance market in January
Owners of Toyota Yaris, Honda Jazz, Skoda Fabia, VW Polo and Rover 25 are being offered a £750 incentive by Nissan – on top of the trade-in value – to put towards the cost of a new Micra SE or SVE
The Government is facing increasing pressure to clamp down on dubious voluntary termination of finance deals as part of its review of the Consumer Credit Act
Motoring information provider Glass's has struck a deal with MSN.co.uk to provide online vehicle valuations for its 16.2m users. The service, which costs £2.95 per valuation, will be offered via the internet giant's cars channel as part of the one-year contrac
Nidd Vale Group, the AM100-listed retailer, is ploughing more than £600,000 into four Yorkshire dealerships. The company, bought by its management last year, is upgrading the Harrogate and Wetherby dealerships, and has bought a new storage site
Mazda is doubling the number of UK fleet specialist dealers to boost corporate sales. The Japanese carmaker currently has seven fleet dealers in its 140-strong network
Dealers have been lambasted by fleet operators for offering unacceptable standards of customer service and poor aftersales support
The number of replacement vehicle parts available through Vauxhall Trade Club is to be increased as part of a plan to boost year-on-year turnover by 10%.
Vauxhall has unveiled detailed plans to make its MasterFit fast-fit franchise the umbrella brand for an expanding authorised service and repair centre network
“PR can cost virtually nothing. Local newspapers will be more interested in you than you think”, says Chris Oakham
A high-tech satellite tracking system being used by AA Tyre Fit's mobile fitting units is cutting response time by10% to 44 minutes. The system, which was piloted by AA breakdown patrols in the M25 area, will be rolled out across the UK fleet this month
Hartwell, the Oxford-based dealer group, is using wireless technology in its workshop to reduce downtime
Churchill Insurance is recruiting key staff for three new accident repair centres in Leeds, Stockton-on-Tees and Bristol. The insurance giant, which is owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland, is advertising for managers and assistant managers
Suzuki GB is planning to build a £12m national parts training and technical centre for the UK
A new buying group has been launched with plans to shake up the aftermarket supply chain. Supported by more 20 leading suppliers, United Aftermarket Network has seven motor factors on board
A programme offering garages the advantage of competitive parts prices and marketing support is being rolled out by one of the UK's biggest components buying groups
Unipart Automotive has thrown its considerable weight behind a nationwide scheme that encourages car buyers to have used vehicles thoroughly checked before handing over their cash
Carmakers are being urged to resist the temptation to exit the UK's market for sensible, value cars as they look to add more glamour and style to their current product offering
