Peter Whale finally reclaimed control of Ryland after a year of upheaval when both Guinness Peat and Pendragon threatened to buy the group.
Bentley, the luxury carmaker, is to create 350 new jobs at its UK plant as it prepares for production of the long awaited sports coupe.
Mercedes-Benz Direct is planning to launch a series of smaller satellite sites to operate around the 10 main showrooms, mimicking the structure of the retail network.
GM Daewoo has swooped to buy four dealerships from Hanover Automotive, which went into administration last month.
Seven out of 10 small automotive retailers have seen profits remain static for the last 12 months, according to a new report.
Swedish carmaker Volvo is rolling out its car rental programme to its 150-strong dealer network after a successful trial period at a handful of dealers.
Low volume carmakers are acquiring key city centre sites to run as wholly-owned showrooms following the trend set by Mercedes-Benz, Renault and Ford.
MG Rover owner Phoenix Venture Holdings (PVH) is due to unveil detailed distribution plans for the Tata Safari off-roader and Loadbeta pick-up this week.
BMW and Peugeot dealers are coming to terms with an uncertain future after the two carmakers issued five-year retail agreements under the revisions to block exemption.
Are you one of the UK's top dealers, repairers or bodyshops? Have you launched a training or marketing campaign that deserves recognition? The AM Awards 2004 offer the chance to achieve that recognition.
William Jacks, the AM100-listed dealer group, is shifting its share capital from the Stock Exchange to the Alternative Investment Market in a bid to cut costs.
Major aftermarket parts distributor Motaquip has rejected claims that franchised dealer groups could put independent motor factors out of business by setting themselves up as “superfactors” under new block exemption laws.
Bob Hood has quit his position as director of marketing at SEL-Imperial, just months after joining the company from the RMI.
Essex-based DWS has established a new blueprint for high volume bodyshops – creating a dual business under one roof. Its new £3m facility in Thurrock has been split into two equal bodyshops, one focusing solely on Direct Line business, the other mixing eight insurance approvals.
Federal-Mogul Aftermarket UK has accused component suppliers and manufacturers of failing to deliver sufficient training support to the garage trade.
The first prototypes of BMW's all-new E90 3-series, which is due to be launched at the 2005 Frankfurt Show, are now venturing out of the proving ground for extended testing. And although the cars are heavily disguised, it appears the E90 may be the least adventurous of Chris Bangle's recent designs.
Bodyshops and insurers face a growing threat from consumer litigation due to poor repair standards, according to ABS.
Problems facing automotive components suppliers – in particular pressures from carmakers to make efficiency gains and cut prices – are being exacerbated by a lack of employee skills, according to a new survey.
Ford retailers will get a new online authorisation system after the carmaker signed up to Epyx's 1link Service Network.
Peugeot is introducing a new product into its UK rental operation – Peugeot Minilease. The product has been designed for short operating periods of six months or less.
US research firm Morgan & Company reports that US new light vehicle sales totalled 1,630,904 in August, down 4.5% from August of 2002 with one less selling day.
GM Europe VP of sales and marketing Jonathan Browning has confirmed that Opel, Vauxhall and Saab sales and marketing operations will be merged in all the brands' European markets.
Lookers plc, the top ten UK retail motor group, has announced record results for the half-year ended June 30 2003.
Subaru of America, Inc., announced it has launched a Subaru Technical Information System (STIS) Web site, to provide dealers, independent repairers and consumers with access to Subaru technical resources.
The Board of AutoLogic Holdings plc has received an approach from a unnamed private equity firm to acquire all its share capital for 350p per share in cash.
A new retail motor group – NHM Ltd – has entered into an agreement to acquire the GM Daewoo franchised outlets in Cardiff, Exeter, Luton and Swansea. These sites were formerly part of Hanover Automotive Group, now in administration.
Park Hwang-Ho, 57, formerly Senior Executive Vice President of Planning has been named Hyundai Motor's new CEO and President responsible for planning and sales, replacing Dr Kim Dong-Jin who becomes Vice Chairman.
Volkswagen has today revealed a mid-engined roadster prototype, named Concept R, which will be shown next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show. VW says the Concept R “points to the future of the Volkswagen brand, and hints at a possible involvement in the world of genuine sports cars.”
Having admitted to pricing issues that dulled the impact of the launch of its Fiesta-based Fusion, Ford has announced the price of the larger Focus C-MAX flexible hatchback ahead of its launch date of 18 October.
Avis Europe, the market-leading European car rental group has announced first-half results (for the period ending 30 June) showing revenue down 5.5% at €527 million. Rental days were up but prices fell.
