News - Page 1509

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

FT.com claims crisis talks are under way between DaimlerChrysler and Hyundai Motor about the future of their alliance, amid doubts about plans to build commercial vehicles and engines together

TRW Automotive has launched its next generation electric parking brake (EPB) system on the new Audi A6. The system, a step-up in electrical braking systems, handles emergency stop and conventional parking brake applications

By now, every automotive retailer in Britain should be aware that in order to sell insurance related products from January, 2005, applications for direct authorisation should be lodged with the Financial Services Authority by July 13 this year.

A number of senior dealer chiefs who developed their retail empires at similar periods in the 1970s and 1980s are now putting in place succession plans as they take a step back from the business.

In the first year it was Sir Peter Vardy; last year it was RMI chief executive Matthew Carrington. And this year? This year, Trevor Finn, chief executive at Pendragon, tops the AM Power List.

Su Copeland, marketing and business development manager, Ebbon-Dacs: Have you got the FSA fully covered yet?

Daihatsu saw its UK dealer network grow at the rate of one new dealer a week in the first three months of 2004. At the same time, sales of its 'greener' city cars have continued to outstrip last year's

A project encouraging men having their cars serviced to have regular 'sexual health MoTs' has won first prize and £1,000 in a nationwide competition

Consultant Forester Grant Associates has acquired a substantial shareholding in Network Automotive Managemen

Paul and Simon Dixon are leaving retail giant Dixon Motors as part of a massive management shake-up

Garages struggling to get to grips with tough health and safety regulations are being offered a helping hand by one of the UK's biggest aftermarket players.

Automotive giant General Motors is raising its profit forecasts after posting better than expected first quarter results

FSA's July deadline is approaching fast. There are now just 19.5 weeks left to July 13

Click on the links below to view pages from the March 2004 issue of Autortrade.

F&I sales account for half the profits at the average dealership. Can you afford not to become FSA authorised, asks Stephen Briers, AM editor, introducing a new must-have supplement

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.

Legacy and Outback models equipped with side and curtain airbags achieved the Australian NCAP's highest recorded five-star points tally at 35.52 out of a 37 maximum

MG Sport & Racing's MG Xpower SV super sports car will be on public view at the Subcontractors Show which starts at the National Exhibition Centre Birmingham on Monday, April 19.