Chrysler Group in the UK has launched an industry-first scheme to provide customers with a Chrysler or Jeep courtesy car comparable with their own vehicle after breakdowns or accidents.
Responding to the open letter of resignation issued on 27 February by 20 members of its Bodyshop Consultative Group members, the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) issued the following response: ”The RMI regrets the decision by these Consultative Group members and is pleased to note that they have not resigned from RMI membership.”
An open letter from members representing some 100 bodyshops was delivered to RMI chief executive Matthew Carrington today, 27 February, and released to media.
With '04'-plated cars due to arrive on UK roads from the start of next month, Glass's has been examining the premium that buyers can expect to pay for the latest nearly-new cars.
A survey by the Alliance & Leicester indicates that while 68% of car buyers shop around to ensure they get the right car, 69% of new or nearly new car buyers didn't shop around for finance.
The latest Alliance & Leicester Car Price Index figures show the price of new cars fell year-on-year by just 0.3% in January, but prices are still roughly 12% lower than they were in January 2000.<
Subaru UK CEO Ed Swatman has publicly attacked Warranty Direct's recent news release suggesting that its Impreza is the most expensive car to repair in the UK.
Vauxhall MasterFit Centres and dealers are gearing up to provide MOT tests for more than 50,000 owners of three-year-old Vauxhall cars and vans stay when their first MOT inspection falls due in March.
The £1.2 million HyTrans 'micro-hybrid' Transit van development project was formally announced today by Transport Minister David Jamieson MP during a visit to Ford's Southampton Transit van assembly plant.
HR Owen is to open a second Lamborghini dealership. It will be built on HR Owen's former Jaguar dealership site in Stockport.
Land Rover workers have accepted a pay offer, ending the threat of further strike action and dealers' fears of stock shortages.
Multi-franchises dealers could slash their IT costs in half because of changes to block exemption regulations, according to dealer management system provider Pinewood.
PSA Peugeot-Citroen will launch 26 new models by 2006 in a bid to raise annual global vehicle sales from 3.3m to 4m.
Several Mercedes-Benz retailers have started adding Chrysler franchises to their market territories as they move to larger showpiece dealerships.
Car manufacturers could force Pendragon to jettison some of the CD Bramall franchises due to a grey area under the new block exemption regulations, according to industry sources.
Lloyds TSB has sent shockwaves through the used car sector after opening a supersite in the Birmingham region.
Dealers could face fines of up to £5,000 if they fail to comply with tough new financial regulations to stop money laundering, which come into effect on March 1.
Four years after rumours linked MG Rover with Proton, the manufacturers have confirmed they are talking to each other about future collaborations.
Ford's dealer operations director Steve Hood has been named director of marketing in a major reshuffle at the carmaker's UK head offices. In his new role Hood succeeds Peter Fleet, while Morten Hannesbo becomes director sales, replacing Paul Van der Burgh.
Seat is asking its European dealers to spend thousands of pounds upgrading their showrooms to help revamp its corporate image and boost sales. All 125 UK dealers will have to make the investment by the end of August 2005.
The RMI is pressing ahead with plans to launch the CarWise scheme this spring – and will use the Automotive Trade Show at the end of March as a forum for dealers and garage owners to discuss the changes.
Ford will mark its return to the ultra competitive hot-hatch sector when it unveils a high performance version of the Fiesta next month.
The number of cars with clocked mileages could be reduced if traders placed a higher value on good condition high-mileage used cars, according to the Retail Motor Industry Federation.
The Volkswagen Group is rolling out a new electronic sales lead management system to its UK franchised dealer network. The system, called e-GoodManners, is an electronic version of the GoodManners sales diary dealers have been using for the last 15 years.
Audi has officially unveiled its new face by taking the wraps off its new A6. Making its world debut at the Geneva motor show, the new luxury saloon will arrive here in May.
Leading European car makers have called on the European Union to make a U-turn on the maze of regulations they claim leaves them at a disadvantage against international rivals.
The Office of Fair Trading could step in to block retailer acquisitions if it believes they are anti-competitive, according to senior vehicle manufacturer executives.
Renault has recorded strong profits on the back of growing new car sales from partner Nissan, as well as demand for the Megane family hatchback. The French carmaker saw net profits rise by 27% year-on- year to £1.69bn. Sales were also up 3.3%, despite a slowdown in some major European markets.
Metrocab, the taxi maker which went into administration in January, could be snapped up by its former directors. Led by Steve Ferris, the company's director of sales and marketing, a consortium of former Metrocab directors, has already put in a bid.
Britain's largest independent vehicle bodyshop network is lobbying to raise and monitor industry standards through official certification.
