While launching the 2004 model year Freelander at Frankfurt, Land Rover MD Matthew Taylor gave journalists a brief glimpse of a design “that will inspire our future product line-up and also gives a strong hint of one of our future models”.
Hyundai unveiled a 'Santro' hatchback built by its Indian subsidiary at Frankfurt yesterday, which will join the Tata SUV, pick-up range and Indica-based MG Rover City supermini in vehicle exports from the sub-continent to Europe.
BMW's particle filter launched at Frankfurt this week will be entering the market in the course of next year, enabling even BMW's larger and more powerful models to fully maintain the EU4 emission standard. The BMW Group's smaller diesel models will fulfill EU4 legislation even without a particle filter.
Škoda Auto has made some changes within its Franchising Department with Martin Lucas appointed as Franchise Manager for the North. The importer has also signalled an interest in appointing new owner-driver dealers.
Kevin Griffin has been appointed to the position of director, fleet operations at Ford Motor Company Ltd., to succeed Mike Wear, who is retiring after 33 years with the company.
In a judgement that will be of particular interest to the British BRIC bodyshop industry campaign, the Irish Competition Authority has published a Decision Note outlining undertakings given by a consortium of four insurers concerning their joint implementation of the Glassmatix collision repair estimating system in the Irish Republic.
Currency movements were mainly responsible for a fall of 0.5% in average pre-tax car prices in Western Europe during the year to August 2003, according to the latest eurocarprice.com index report.
An increase in the number of cars with old tyres identified at recent police roadside tyre checks has prompted the Tyre Industry Council to issue a warning to motorists of the potential dangers of running a car or van on over-age tyres
Five cars with five stars is a claim only Renault can so far make, following the announcement of the New Scénic's results in the latest round of EuroNCAP's independent crash tests.
Figures from the City & Guilds organisation on its NVQ qualification awards in motor vehicle maintenance and repair show that the number of women gaining jobs as mechanics has been rising for the past three years and increased more than 300% last year.
Visitors to this year's 60th Frankfurt International Automobile Show will see over 30 new model launches and vehicle concepts.
In support of Road Safety Week 22 – 28 September 2003, organised by the raod safety charity Brake, Unipart Automotive is pledging its support to this year's theme SLOW DOWN! to raise awareness of child pedestrian safety.
Collision repair estimating and claims solutions provider Audatex has joined forces with software house ClaimWatch Ltd to offer AudaTrack, a web-based tracking system that enables bodyshops to save time by communicating repair status data to motorists and work providers, on-line and via text messaging and e-mail.
The common assumption that the new model replacement for an ageing outgoing car automatically enjoys initially higher used values is widespread, but analysis by CAP Black Book reveals that some cars outperform their replacement models.
The European Court of Justice is due to deliver its verdict on Volkswagen's appeal against the European Commission's record €102 million fine on the firm for hindering cross-border trade by its Italian dealer network on 18 September.
Part car, part scooter – Be Up is “the trendy new way of getting around, bringing sunshine and fun into motoring for a new generation of urban driver”, according to its importer Reliant Partsworld Ltd., the former three-wheeler manufacturer.
Citroen has announced that it is offering Smartnav, the latest satellite navigation system from Trafficmaster, as an approved accessory on all models in the UK. From 22nd September, Smartnav will be available through the Citroen network to both private and business customers.
Honda is offering a free mower to anyone who orders a new car next weekend, (13 and 14 September) for delivery by the end of the month, as part of a special Honda test drive weekend.
Phoenix Distribution Limited., a newly created subsidiary of MG Rover owner Phoenix Venture Holdings has today launched the Indian-built Tata range of utility vehicles consisting of the Safari SUV and TL single and double cab pick-ups.
Jose Maria Alapont, head of international operations for Delphi Corp., has been appointed CEO of Fiat Group's truck subsidiary Iveco. He succeeds Michel de Lambert, who took over when GianCarlo Boschetti was moved to head Fiat Auto.
Automotive News reports that Ford in the USA is setting up a 40-strong advisory committee of technicians including selected dealer technicians, to head off disputes over warranty repair times.
Total UK CV registrations were up 18.5% in August to 19,267 units, bringing registrations over the year to date up 13.6% to 227,999. mid-weight LCVs are still driving growth.
New car registrations in Scotland jumped 9.3% in August to 6,965 units, according to figures released by the Scottish Motor Trade Association.
A 2.4% year-on-year rise saw 89,338 new cars registered in the UK this August. Registrations were more than 11,000 units, or 14.6% up on the average August total since the introduction of the bi-annual plate change system in 1999. Year-to-date registrations are now 3,010 units or 0.2 per cent up, putting 2003 on track to meet the 2.52 million unit forecast.
H.R. Owen Plc has acquired the Chelsea BMW and Mini franchises from the Sytner Group - the final stage in creating one of the largest BMW areas of responsibility in the UK.
A Hull-based independent motor factor has launched a new initiative as part of the Independent Motor Factors Association's (IFA) national Autosafe umbrella scheme to help small independent garages compete with franchised dealers for car servicing and repair work.
Motorpoint, one of the UK's largest car supermarkets, has dismissed recent research that suggests traditional car importers and supermarkets are no longer able to offer discounts on new cars because of the strength of the Euro and falling UK new car prices.
More than £300,000 was spent developing one of the world's first new-look Lamborghini showrooms in London. The Old Brompton Road site is one of only three in Europe to be refurbished in line with the new brand environment.
Ex-Mazda chief Lewis Booth has been catapulted into the president's seat at Ford of Europe following the recent departure of Martin Leach.
LDV dealers are hoping for a sustained rise in sales next year after the van manufacturer unveiled plans to quadruple output and double its UK workforce.
