GM Daewoo is to adopt Datafirst's UCL (Used Car Locator) to handle used stock in the UK in December, following in the footsteps of Vauxhall. The system is already in use in GM Europe networks elsewhere in Europe. The system will link dealers' used stock to the search facility on GM Daewoo's own site.
Hyundai says the choice of sites for Hyundai's European car manufacturing plant has been reduced to four candidates – Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. Another report says only two are still in the running.
A new group has been formed within the Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Society BEN which focuses on the needs of younger members of the industry.
Production figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that UK car production in October climbed 2.5% to 153,361 units. Exports accounted for a record 74.2% of monthly output, and year-to-date volumes rose 0.6%, on track to meet the SMMT's 1.65 million forecast.
Continuing the biggest product offensive in its history, Saab Automobile AB has announced its first SUV, the 2005 Saab 9-7X, featuring standard all-wheel-drive and two engine choices.
New data confirms confirms the consumer problems with dealers and garages identified by the OFT apply equally in the US.
Government denial of an impending MOT tester shortage has been criticised by the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI). Addressing Parliament recently, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport David Jamison refuted that there is any need to recruit more MOT testers: “There is no evidence to suggest that there is a shortage of qualified MOT testers.”
A ballot for strike action at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland started on 24 November after Nissan management “refused to hold talks with the Amicus trade union” over compulsory re-location of the company's purchasing department. Balloting of workers in the purchasing department could mean that Nissan are faced with the threat of strike action for the first time in the Sunderland plant's history.
MG Rover is halting production for four days this week to enable dealers to 're-balance' inventories.
Morgan Motor Company has appointed Alan Garnett as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors following the recent death of Peter 'PM' Morgan.
CVC Capital Partners, the private equity group, is reportedly close to appointing bankers to advise on a possible sale, merger or flotation of Halfords, the car parts and bicycle retailer
Two million UK motorists were asked by insurer Axa about their choice of car as part of the first UK "Motor map" survey just published.
MVRA¹s MoT division believes that a mandatory MOT fee could be counter-productive for many small independent garages relying on the repair revenue generated through MOT tests.
Hometune, Kwik-Fit's mobile vehicle servicing and repair operation, is to cease trading on December 31, 2003.
John Cooper has been appointed director customer service for Ford Motor Company Ltd, replacing Simon Psaila who is retiring at the end of December after 33 years service with the company.
Jaguar Cars has been named National Champion in the Green Apple Awards 2003. This is the sixth year in a row that Jaguar has won a Green Apple Award in the national campaign to find Britain's 'greenest' companies.
Ford Motor Company added another milestone to its centennial year with the production of its 300 millionth vehicle this week.
Experian, the global business solutions company has been named the UK's National Business of the Year in recognition of its record of “exceptional financial performance, strong growth, innovative strategies and leadership in its sectors”.
Phoenix told unions last night it was prepared to give detailed explanations of its financial transactions to any appropriate party. The unions are to take up the offer.
Mazda UK says dealers are opening throughout the UK at an increasing pace to meet the demand from customers to have a dealership or service centre no more than 20 minutes from their house.
Damon Hill and Midlands franchise dealer Nick Whale have completed their acquisition of the Exeter Audi dealership from Inchcape.
For the first time since its addition of the MINI and Rolls Royce brands to its portfolio, BMW Group is appointing separate brand marketing managements to BMW and to each of the newcomers.
Renault UK has opened a new £2m training centre in Nottingham to house its Modern Apprenticeship programme.
The European Commission has presented a proposal for a Directive to make cross-border mergers easier by overcoming obstacles caused by different national laws. It would make such mergers simpler for all companies with share capital, but the Commission says it would be especially useful for small and medium-sized businesses.
Sixt AG, the German rental and leasing group that owns the Sixt-Kenning operation in the UK, recorded EBIT 17.4% higher for the first nine months of this year than a year earlier, at €37.2 million.
Management at the Nissan car plant at Washington in Tyneside are faced with the threat of strike action for the first time in the plants history, says the Amicus-MSF union, over the compulsory re-location of staff from its purchasing department to Cranfield in Bedfordshire.
Transport & General Workers Union officials are to meet executives of MG Rover's holding company Phoenix Venture Holdings today to discuss recently reported financial transactions in the company.
A new consumer guide has been launched giving motorists practical advice on cutting their fuel use for economic and environmental benefits.
The international Car of the Year jury, composed of 58 senior motoring journalists representing 22 European countries, has just voted the new Fiat Panda Car of the Year 2004.
Bentley Motors' 198mph Continental GT coupe has won a special design award, nominated by the jury of The Most Beautiful Car in the World of 2003.
