Lexus plans to inject more excitement into its models as part of a major product renewal programme over the next four years.
Leading players in the used car market have attacked new research that claims secondhand car prices have collapsed in the past 12 months. The report, by What Car? and the Alliance & Leicester, says used car prices have hit record lows with the values of one-year-old cars dropping by 11.4 per cent.
Nidd Vale Group has this week been de-merged after management purchased the £62m turnover General Motors division. The acquisition, which includes the group name, leaves former chairman Richard Jackson in control of the £50m Mercedes-Benz operation.
A plan to increase the first registration fee for new cars has been attacked by a leading industry figure. The proposal has caught the industry by surprise and, if it goes through, retailers will lose hundreds of pounds changing crucial advertising material.
Land Rover has made a host of changes to its Freelander. It now has Range Rover-style looks at the front and back with similar twin headlights.
Fiat is gearing up its 165-strong dealer network to win more corporate business with the creation of a fleet specialist programme for retailers.
Rob Tracey, the man credited with transforming the reputation of Skoda in the UK new car market, has stood down from his role as director and will be replaced by Chris Craft.
Toyota has finished appointing its 90-strong UK Business Centre network after its research claimed no manufacturer was providing small car and commercial vehicle fleets with satisfactory service levels.
Ford has signed a three-year contract with software provider Global Beach to launch a standardised Dealer Web Service (DWS) across Europe. Consumers will be able to access information about Ford and its products via the dealer website rather than clicking through to its corporate home page.
Proton has appointed new dealers to its network on the back of a strong new model programme.
Reg Vardy's online dealership has struck a deal with national media group Johnston Press to sponsor its website Motors Today.
Oxford BMW is investing £2m into a new dealership in the city. The 2000-square metre site has motorcycle and car showrooms and a workshop.
BMW is to recruit 750 new sales executives for its UK dealer network over the next three years – a 10 per cent growth in headcount.
A Yorkshire-based 'no frills' retailer is planning a dramatic entrance to the exclusive AM100 club next year as it bids to treble its turnover.
Inchcape has created the UK's largest BMW territory with the acquisition of six BMW dealerships at a cost of £18.9m. The move, which AM exclusively revealed in its June 27 issue, cements Inchcape's position at No 6 in the AM100 and is expected to take the group past £1bn turnover.
The market for grey imports is set to reach record levels this year, contrary to experts' predictions that lower new car prices in the UK would stem the tide of cars from Japan.
Toyota's business centre network of 90 dealerships, launched in January, is now fully operational.
The first Mazda dealership in the Doncaster area for more than five years opens tomorrow when Ringways Motor Group becomes the manufacturer's 131st UK dealer.
Chris Craft has been appointed as director of Skoda UK, effective from tomorrow. He replaces Rob Tracey, who has become managing director of gedas United Kingdom, also part of the Volkswagen Group.
MINI is introducing specification upgrades for 2004 models.
Aftermarket show activity is spreading. Hot on the heels of the SSMT's announcement of an ATS revival as part of the CV show next spring and London Eventco's plans for Auto-ExCeL early in 2005, Haymarket Exhibitions says it will expand the PACE parts and accessories section at Autosport International in the New Year, 2004.
Volkswagen has launched a new fast-fit operation called Express Fit. Alan Day in New Southgate, North London, is the first retailer to open a centre. If it proves successful, more retailers could open similar operations with most major cities covered by the end of the year.
ArvinMeritor has launched a $4.4bn (£2.7bn) hostile cash bid for US automotive parts maker Dana Corpor-ation. The company says its offer of $15 (£9.22) a share represents a premium of 25 per cent over Dana's closing stock price before the move was announced.
Audatex UK is to launch a body repair estimating system for motorcycle repair specialists, insurers, brokers and claims handling companies in August.
One year into its relationship with Nationwide Accident Repair Services – the UK's largest crash repair chain – Volvo Information Technology has been awarded a further £1.2m contract for the infrastructure and management of Nationwide's wide area network (WAN) IT system.
Accident repair centres will be forced to carry out expensive and time-consuming risk assessments on paint, oils and lubricants if new laws are put in place.
Share prices throughout the motor retail sector are booming for the first time in years. Investors are backing leading dealer groups to deliver significant financial improvements after October 1 when revised block exemption legislation comes into effect.
Priory Motor Group has become one of the first UK retailers to exploit revised block exemption regulations by opening a multi-franchised showroom in the north-east.
UK buyers are currently enjoying some of the biggest new car discounts in motoring history, according to new research – but there are signs that manufacturers will soon be insisting on higher deal prices to boost their flagging margins.
Two carmakers have the potential to challenge for number one status in the global new car market, says industry expert Garel Rhys. The motor industry professor at Cardiff Business Schools, says General Motors and Toyota have the potential to occupy number one positions worldwide.
