R-M Automotive Refinish general manager Paul Buckingham has been handed control of sister refinish supplier Glasurit as parent BASF Corporation bids to turnaround its ailing UK subsidiary.
Dealer management systems provide the easiest route for repairers to meet new responsibilities outlined by the Health and Safety Executive, according to DMS provider Pinewood.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd. have established a new joint equity company, Nissan Motor Light Truck Company Ltd.
Mitsubishi Motors Europe (MME) says virtually all its retailers have signed contracts before the October 1st, 2003 deadline and with support from local dealer associations, including the European Mitsubishi Dealer Association (EMDA).
Federal-Mogul Aftermarket UK has signed a major distribution deal for its Champion brand with the buying group FSG.
Failure by car manufacturers to finalise agreements prior to the introduction of the new Block Exemption regulation could leave dealers in a legal limbo, warned the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) on the eve of the new regulations coming into force today, 1 October.
Today, a major part of the new EU rules on motor vehicle distribution that entered into force on 1 October 2002 will become effective, announces the European Commission. The transitional period for all contracts that expired after 1 October 2002 ends today.
German lawyers quoted in a feature article on dealer sales and aftersales contracts due to take effect from today, 1 October across Europe in Autohaus, the German trade publication, suggest legal conflict is likely to erupt over the the new Block Exemption
Responding to the minimum wage increase, Nick Jones, RMI human resources director, said: “The Government's decision to increase the national minimum wage will affect the industry's NJC Agreement on minimum pay rates. The rate for unindentured junior employees aged 18 will rise immediately from its current level of £3.60 to £3.80 per hour. Those few adult employees on the bottom grades of the NJC pay scales will rise from £4.20 to £4.50 per hour.”
A company in a dominant position, which operates a system of loyalty rebates and bonuses for its dealers, thereby strengthens its position to the detriment of other operators and thus impedes normal competition, confirmed the European Court of First Instance this week in its judgment on Michelin's fine appeal.
Glass's Market Intelligence Service suggests that the residual values for prestige convertibles (e.g. Mercedes CLK Cabriolet, Audi A4 Cabriolet) and larger 4x4s (e.g. Range Rover, BMW X5) aged one- to three-years-old out-perform those of the rest of the market.
The government-supported mobility charity Motability, which operates preferential finance provision for disabled motorists, has appointed Don Brereton as director, to succeed Noel Muddiman.
According to Kelley Blue Book's latest US "New Vehicle Buyer Attitude Study" on vehicle finance options, 70% prospectived new car buyers plan to research financing online and 54% plan to obtain finance befre visiting the dealer, while only 46% of respondents indicate that they intend to finance their purchase at the dealership.
Nissan Motor has declared its intention to halve new model development costs within two years, partly by cutting its Japanese vehicle platforms by two thirds from 15 to 5, and also by halving the time taken to bring new models into production.
This is the date that DVLA's range of 04 personalised registrations will be made available to purchase, enabling motorists to be ready with their new vehicle complete with a specially selected registration before the 04 plate change in March.
The European Commission has adopted an eSafety Communication, laying down a set of measures for supporting the industry in developing safer and more intelligent vehicles and enabling their rapid introduction into the market. The goal is halving the number of road deaths in Europe by 2010.
In the first of what is likely to be many consumer media reports on the inception of the new Block Exemption, National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) director Alan Pulham told today's Independent newspaper that the delay in many manufacturers issuing new Block Exemption-compliant contracts was putting undue pressure on dealer networks.
Parliamentary committee will vet capacity of government departments to deal with end-of-life vehicles
Blueback, a new company aiming to transform London's fragmented £850 million private hire vehicle (or mini cab) market, has chosen Fiat Auto's Multipla six-seater mini-MPV as its figurehead vehicle to launch the venture.
68 cars have been selected from 183 entries for the final of the Ford/Greenpower electric car marathon for schools to be held at Goodwood on 5 October, 2003.
In the UK, the Young Environmentalists scheme provides young people (10 to 16 year olds) with an opportunity to gain support, recognition and financial reward for practical, local environmental activities and the chance to compete for an international award.
Dealer group Reg Vardy plc has provided the following update on current trading at its Annual General Meeting. The Group reports it has has made a good start to the financial year and is continuing its expansion by acquisition.
The owner of London Taxis International's unaudited preliminary results for the year to 31 July 2003 show turnover from continuing operations down 1% on previous year from £86.9m to £86.0m. The core vehicles division produced £4.5m operating profit (including £1.1m of China profit) (2002: £3.7m) on sales of £86.0m.
The Kubistar, the Nissan-branded version of Renault's Kangoo small van, goes on sale 10 October with a starting price of £7,500 on the road for a 1.2 litre petrol engine version.
Audi UK has appointed Adrian Short as its new Head of Corporate Sales in the UK, a move that coincides with a restructuring of the company's fleet liaison team and used car operations.
Recent analysis of MVRA (Motor Vehicle Repairers Association) data shows that 97 bodyshops - almost 18% of the MVRA's QA bodyshop members - have gone out of business during the past five years.
European consumers express a strong interest in a number of today's emerging automotive technologies, but most are not willing to buy many of these features unless manufacturers lower the price, according to the latest J.D. Power European Automotive Emerging Technologies Study.
Kia, currently the fastest growing car manufacturer brand in the UK (and Western Europe), has announced it is reviewing it advertising account currently held by Mustoes Ltd.
Max Pemberton's newly updated long-term forecast report forecasts that more than 1.5 billion vehicles will be sold in the next 17 years, with global annual vehicle sales running at 100 million by 2020.
Production figures released by the Office for National Statistics show that car production in the last three months climbed 9.5%, and that output over the year-to-date slipped 0.3%.
