News - Page 1524

When you're on to a good thing, stick to it. The original Golf-based Octavia is the car that took the Skoda brand out of the bargain basement and made it the smart choice for thinking buyers who want quality, functionality and value for money.

Volvo dealers can expect a flurry of new car launches over the next five years as Ford positions the marque as its volume brand within the Premier Automotive Group.

Used car dealers are enjoying good times in Britain, reporting better performance last year than in 2002 and overwhelmingly predicting an even better 2004.

Franchise dealers with manufacturer-approved or specialised body repair facilities could be invited to join accident solutions company ABS' 240-strong repairer network; it believes the recent block exemption changes will make it easier for them.

Honda's consolidated net income for the fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2003 totalled Y151.0 billion (US$1,410 million), a year-on-year increase of 31.2%.

Proton is also offering a new four-year free servicing offer for new Proton buyers of selected models in the coming two months, alongside a more conventional free winter check at its network's dealerships.

Dealers have less than a year to comply with new insurance regulations or face being unable to sell insurance, warns the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI).

Motorists would back putting all of the £42 billion they currently pay in tax onto fuel, scrapping the tax disc and abandoning plans for future road user charging, says the RAC's latest annual Report on Motoring.

Datamonitor's Business Review newsletter reports that MG Rover has expressed an interest in Slovakia as a potential location for a new €200 million vehicle assembly plant.

The Body Repair Industry Campaign BRIC says it's delighted with the approach adopted by the OFT to the ABI's General Terms of Agreement (GTA) in relation to credit hire arrangements for non-fault drivers. The OFT has given the GTA conditional exemption after changes were made.

UK Skills is encouraging companies and individuals from the automotive industry to enter to enter for this year's National Training Awards, which last year attracted over 1,000 entries.

Some 30,000 US franchised car dealers convene in Las Vegas today, 30 January for NADA's annual convention.

Volvo dealers can expect a flurry of new car launches over the next five years as Ford positions the marque as its volume brand within the Premier Automotive Group.

A new online car wholesaling facility launched by UK Supplied (UKS) is offering independent and franchised motor retailers the chance to directly source delivery mileage cars at fleet discounts.

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

Reg Vardy has become Renault's biggest independent retail partner in the UK with the opening of two dealerships in the east of Scotland.

TRW Automotive is closing the doors to its steering and suspension plant at Luton in a bid to cut costs and boost efficiency.

LDV, the light commercial vehicle manufacturer, has secured £45 million from an equity syndicate in a bid to drive forward expansion. The syndicate, which is being led by 3i, is made up of European Acquisition Capital and Baring English Growth Fund and takes the figure for total funding raised to £90m.

Fiat Auto is launching a major overhaul of its 175-strong dealer network, AM can exclusively reveal. And as our pictures of the Alfa Romeo side of the business show, the revamp will provide UK dealers with dramatic new looks aimed at boosting the image of the franchise.

Derek Cook, the former chairman of the failed DC Cook motor group, is set to take over the loss-making Virgin Cars operation for an undisclosed sum. Cook, who is running Virgin-rivalling Motor Solutions, is expected to take a 25% stake in the business, which will still trade under the Virgin brand.

Daewoo Cars, the former sales and distribution operation for Daewoo vehicles in the UK, has finally gone into liquidation. Accountancy firm Baker Tilly, which is handling the move, says there are approximately 600 trade and business creditors – including parts and components suppliers – owed about £125m. It has also notified about 38,000 former Daewoo Cars customers

Jaguar and Land Rover are set to join fellow Premier Automotive Group brand Aston Martin in harnessing online, approved used car locator networks operated by Global Beach Automotive.

The entire CD Bramall management board, including chief executive Peter Jones and chairman Tony Bramall, will step down once the group's acquisition by Pendragon is complete.

Land Rover dealers were left counting the cost of strike action this week after the company's workforce downed tools on Monday. As AM went to press, all of the 8,200 workers at the carmaker's Midlands plants in Solihull were believed to have mounted picket lines.

Porsche has seen profits rise as strong sales of the Cayenne sports utility vehicle offset a sharp drop in demand for the Boxster and 911.

Rover has given a strong hint towards future design direction by revealing a new look for the 75. Changes to the front and rear aim to give the car a premium look like core rivals from BMW and Audi.

The recent mystery shop of MoT stations by Which? found that only eight out of 36 MoT tests were carried out correctly.

The UK automotive industry is losing £163m a year in wasted business post, according to a shock new report. Research by Royal Mail shows that 69% of all business letters have one or more errors like being incorrectly addressed.

Pendragon's acquisition of CD Bramall will create by far the largest retail group in Europe. The two billion-pound turnover companies will combine to produce revenues exceeding £3.5bn, almost twice their nearest UK rival.

Ford retailers received a boost this week after a leading used car guide revealed three of its best selling models had firm residual values. CAP Black Book rates the Focus, Mondeo and Fiesta – all permanent fixtures in the list of top sellers – as strong used car performers.