Van drivers are increasingly being given a say in what vehicle they drive, according to Prof. Peter Cooke of Nottingham Business School, whose second annual Vauxhall-sponsored survey of light commercial vehicle trends has just been completed.
Today, 4 November, ScootElectric, the new UK importer of electric-powered personal transport, introduces a line-up of six two-wheel and three-wheel scooters, powered by electric motors and rechargeable batteries, described as suitable for everyday use by commuters, courier companies and local councils keen to go 'green'.
The SMMT has unveiled its new website for Foresight Vehicle, the UK's national automotive research and development programme. Foresight Vehicle, now administered by SMMT, aims to promote, develop and demonstrate market-driven enabling technologies for future motor vehicles.
Cars Direct has launched an online auction system that can be used on a 'private label' basis by remarketing companies. The launch follows the pilot programme conducted with Leaseplan which is currently holding two sales a month using the system, to 6,000 registered buyers.
The European Garage Equipment Association (EGEA) is to hold a meeting at the Automotive Trade Show section of the 2004 Commercial Vehicle Show at Birmingham's NEC next March.
The OFT carried out 295 licensing actions in the third quarter of 2003. Between 1 July and 30 September nine consumer credit licence applications were refused and five existing licences revoked.
THE most reliable cars in Britain's company car fleets are revealed in a Fleet News survey covering nearly 800,000 vehicles.
Hundred of company car drivers are being fined every day for entering London's congestion charging zone without paying because they do not understand the new system.
Bosch has become an IMI approved assessment centre, with its training programmes accredited under the IMI's Quality Assured Awards (QAA) programme.
The Aberdeen Press and Journal reports that the Glenvarigill group has ceded its SEAT franchises in Perth and Aberdeen to Town and County Motors. In Aberdeen, Town and County will house SEAT cars alongside its Lexus franchise, and in Perth, alongside Subaru/Isuzu and Daihatsu.
The 73rd Geneva International Motor Show on 6-16 March 2004 will occupy 76,000m2 of exhibition space, including a new hall. Individual stands will be bigger than those at the 2002 show.
Visitors to MG Rover showrooms throughout the UK will have the chance to win the Streetwise, Rover's new model, every day during November.
HPI Exchange, the stock publishing system from HPI , has been rolled out to more than 1000 customers since its July launch. The system helps retailers manage and locate vehicle stock in real time.
Garages are being targeted by a fax scam operator claiming to be setting up a new UK bodyshop network.
Multi-franchised retail group Sytner has introduced an air conditioning and service option for all its service customers at one fixed price, regardless of whichever dealer they visit.
Former Toyota (GB) aftersales operations general manager David Collins (right) has been appointed aftersales director at Fiat Auto (UK).
GMAC, General Motors' finance operation, is to start targeting business beyond its Vauxhall/Opel, Saab and Daewoo brand family.
A Government-funded programme is offering garages, bodyshops and repairers free surveys of their energy usage to identify savings.
Component supplier Robert Bosch GmbH is predicting significant growth in demand for radio-based vehicle navigation following the launch of a new low-cost system.
The RMI has revealed that CarWise, the official name for the Good Garage scheme, will be expanded to include car retailers and bodyshops.
Renault has taken the first step towards establishing a 50-strong national network of dedicated light commercial vehicle service centres.
Virgin Cars is planning to drop its existing aftersales policy of working with lots of franchised dealers and independent repairers in favour of signing a bulk deal with one national partner.
British dealers are continuing to enjoy booming van sales despite a general slowdown in UK economic growth. Sales of light commercial vehicles are up 15 per cent so far this year (2002 total: 322,255), and most volume-brand commercial vehicle dealers are enjoying brisk business.
Warranty Administration Services has launched a new online selling tool. Genesis enables retailers to offer customer-facing quotes and is based on a warranty booklet that has the Plain English Campaign's Crystal Mark.
Renault Retail Group has not signed up with eBay Motors as reported in AM. Commercial director Simon Herbert is looking at a number of internet-based organisations, but has yet to make a decision.
Dealers are confident about raising profits under the revised block exemption rules, despite acknowledging that carmaker control over their businesses is likely to tighten.
Profits for many car manufacturers were down in the first half of 2003, as the European motor industry started to feel the effect of recession and difficult market conditions.
Fiat retailers will be able to offer their customers supermarket-style loyalty points on sales, servicing and repairs thanks to a new scheme currently on trial in mainland Europe.
Tenneco Automotive is to close its Walker exhaust system manufacturing plant in Birmingham at the end of the year, blaming a slump in UK sales. The company says the move will help to better match supply with demand.
General Motors and Fiat have agreed to delay by one year the date from which their put option starts. That means the option period, under which Fiat can sell its car business to GM, will now run from Jan 2005, until July 2010. <P>
