GM Daewoo will replace the Daewoo brand name with Chevrolet in Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine and Turkey, starting at the end of this year. Will the UK brand go the same way?
Bosch is uprating its support for the independent aftermarket in a package designed to help garages cope with the rising penetration of ABS and ESP systems.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation announced yesterday the development of a Mitsubishi Grandis MPV powered by DaimlerChrysler's FC-System.
Daihatsu has appointed its 60th new UK dealership, bringing its total UK network to 92.
Full service history can be worth more than its weight in gold, according to new research from the leading used car benchmark valuation experts, CAP.
The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg yesterday upheld a €90 million fine imposed last year, ending Volkswagen's year-long appeal. The case against VW has been brought by the European Commission five years ago, for restricting its Italian dealer network from supplying new cars to its dealer networks in Germany and Austria.
Audatex, the provider of repair and claims solutions to the motor industry, says investment in new technologies meant a fall in pre-tax profits from £873,000 to £533,000 over the last 12 months.
Locking nuts used to secure alloy wheels cause problems at more than 10 per cent of all tyre fitments, according to AA Tyre Fit.
A Manchester-based vehicle repairer is to lodge an appeal after the High Court ruled that its failure to correct faulty brakes on a van caused a fatal road accident.
Repairers will form a new think tank aimed at moulding future estimating services. Glass's Information Services has set up a repair consultative group to shape the next generation of estimating systems.
ABS, the UK's largest network of independent bodyshops, is having to canvas for new work after one of its major providers revealed plans to establish its own repairer chain.
Vauxhall is adding a new model to its Meriva range.
Dealers sold fewer used cars last year, despite the second hand vehicle market increasing in volume.
A leading finance house is warning dealers against offering long-term finance.
Volkswagen retailers are offering a zero per cent interest rate to Passat customers who put down a 30 per cent deposit. The package is available to all customers who buy a Passat saloon or estate before the end of the year.
Peugeot has become the latest car manufacturer to fall victim to the BBC's Watchdog consumer affairs programme.
More than 8.5 million PSA Peugeot Citroen cars will have HDi turbodiesel engines under their bonnets by the end of 2006.
The Government must push for a common method of measuring customer satisfaction in the motor industry, says a leading carmaker.
Bob Dover, the chairman and chief executive of Jaguar and Land Rover has quit, 12 months after taking the job. Dover's departure comes only a month after Ford of Europe product guru, Martin Leech left the carmaker after huge financial losses.
A newly formed retail group is set to join the exclusive AM100 club next year as it strives for a £100m-plus turnover. Crewe-based Swansway Garages Group has five sites representing Audi, Seat and Volkswagen with a projected turnover of £76m.
Sales of Vauxhall's bi-fuel cars and vans are set to increase by 65 per cent this year. The rise is mainly in the public sector, which accounts for 50 per cent of all Dualfuel model sales, while the retail market has remained relatively quiet.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation has announced plans to merge the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association into its bodyshop division following months of talks. Due diligence is currently taking place – both boards have already agreed the move – and the merger will be formalised by the end of the year.
Ford is to slash prices for replacement parts in a bid to reduce repair costs and reduce the number of vehicles written off by insurers. Repairers can get up to 31 per cent off collision parts for Escort, Fiesta, Ka, Mondeo and Transit registered between 1989 and 2000.
The UK's used car sector is in danger as US-style cut-price finance deals start to creep into the market. Full-blown zero per cent deals, so popular in the US, are arriving in the UK with Volkswagen offering deals on new Passats.
The Financial Services Authority has planted a legislative timebomb under the UK's franchised dealer sector, the chairman of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders warranty committee is warning.
Chrysler dealers are to get new- look showrooms and signage as the manufacturer aims to build up its brand reputation in the UK. The new corporate identity sees the traditional blue and white signage replaced by a metallic silver fascia.
A Scotland-based online tyre fitter has struck a deal with a major garage chain that gives it more bricks and mortar centres than Kwik-Fit.
Retailers have bucked the trend of falling profits over the last 12 months by recording growth for the year to March 2003, new research by Experian reveals.
Independent collision repair chain Just Car Clinics has announced profits of £210,000 and a turnover of £11.2 million for the nine months up to June 30, 2003.
Lookers has become the latest dealer group to boost confidence in the motor retail sector by announcing record results for the six months to the end of June.
