Nearly half of all new car buyers are unhappy with the level of sales and aftersales service they receive from franchised dealers, according to the Which? Car 2002 report.
Car dealers are tightening their grip on the used sector, accounting for 56.6 per cent of all transactions last year, but 81.6 per cent of the market value.
Small, affordable 'lifestyle' 4x4s are a success story that has helped to increase off-roaders' sector share.
The Saab 9-5 is a keenly-priced, well-equipped alternative to the Audi A6. Up to three years old, values drop more rapidly than other executive models, so private buyers can pick up real bargains.
Bolton firm Informer International has developed a telephone-based security system that, when triggered, sends an alarm alert to a pre-determined phone number.
National Tyres and Autocare has unveiled a new million-pound corporate identity aimed at improving customers' understanding of the firm's services and products.
Ten per cent of the 100-plus BMW Approved repairer network estimators who failed a tough certification test are having their training needs reassessed by their managers. All are expected to resit the examination, which is part of the Audatex Fast Track Certification course.
Federal-Mogul brand Champion has been appointed OE supplier to Peugeot's 2002 international car of the year, the 307.
Daewoo is gearing up for a sustained product attack on the marketplace following its acquisition by General Motors. Its vision is to become a “respected value” brand.
The City of London Police force has conscripted a micromini Smart car on to its fleet.
Honda says dramatic changes in the D-sector of the market have forced it to rethink its retail strategy with the new Accord, which goes on sale next spring.
Dealers that do not alter their services and employment practices to take into account disabled customers and staff risk prosecution, warns the Retail Motor Industry Federation.
Mercedes-Benz has launched a new Inspiration edition of its M-class.
Lexus has topped the charts for quality, reliability and customer care in a new survey.
New car buyers think manufacturers are being “greedy” and over-inflating car prices, according to a new report.
Mitsubishi's UK dealers will be crucial to the success of a new family of company car tax-beating vehicles. The importer wants its retailer network to play a pivotal role in encouraging local businesses to take on its 4Work range.
MG Rover says it is resolving the parts shortages that brought chaos to dealers' service and repair departments this summer, despite claims to the contrary.
Graeme Potts has been appointed managing director at Inchcape UK and Europe. He will take up the newly-created position, which also includes a place on the board of Inchcape plc as executive director, on Tuesday.
Independent garages that want to become authorised repairers from next month under the new block exemption regulations are likely to be impeded by carmakers, a leading industry analyst is warning.
Jensen Motor Cars, the troubled sports car maker, has been thrown a last-minute lifeline. The firm's administrator PKF says contracts have been issued to two unnamed bidders.
Trevor Finn delights in being a shrewd operator. While he was telling analysts at Pendragon's interim results that the dealer group had no plans for any large-scale acquisitions in the UK, behind the scenes he was negotiating with Guinness Peat Group to acquire 29.99 per cent of its 30.01 per cent stake in Ryland.
AM relaunch editor Angus MacKenzie has been appointed editor at leading monthly automotive consumer magazine Car.
Volkswagen Group boss Bernd Pischetsrieder is no stranger to controversy. Just a few years ago, when he was running BMW, he stood up at the British International Motor Show and delivered a stinging criticism of Rover - just as the 75 saloon was being launched. Experts believe it effectively damaged sales.
Skoda has rushed out a letter to its UK dealers rubbishing a press report that the new flagship Superb will be killed off in 2005. Volkswagen Group boss Bernd Pischetsrieder was last week quoted as saying the Superb would be one of six group models to get the chop, but Skoda UK strongly denies the report.
British Car Auctions has opened a new auction centre in Glasgow as part of the group's major network redevelopment programme.
Reg Vardy has appointed Brown Brothers, part of the Unipart Group of Companies, to supply refinish and bodyline products to its 11-strong bodyshop network.
Solus Accident Repair Centre, the Norwich Union branded bodyshop group, is looking to set up 12 new outlets over the next few years as it looks to exploit its sole supply relationship with the insurance giant.
Autolink, the car supermarket network backed by the MCL Group, has outlined aggressive expansion plans to more than triple its number of outlets over the next two years.
A particulate filter system is set to play a crucial role in the first high performance, super-clean diesel engine to be built by Renault.
