A multi-franchised showroom in Jersey could point the way forward for dealer groups in large cities and conurbations post-block exemption.
Talks between Inchcape and Tesco are ongoing, but the supermarket chain has made no decision whether to enter the car retailing sector post block exemption.
A pilot scheme for a new nationwide used car inspection service has been launched in Leeds. The Used Car Checks Centre franchised network plans to go national by the end of the year.
New car sales came back from a disappointing June to record a best ever July putting the market back on course for a record year. Last month, new car registrations were up 13.1 per cent to 195,637 beating July 2001 by 22,635 units.
Mazda has launched a new finance arm in the UK in a bid to build on its current success. Hot on the heels of the new Mazda6, Mazda Credit allows dealers to offer a range of over the counter retail products as well as fleet-focused business to business services.
Andy Carroll has been confirmed as designated managing director of the new GM Daewoo Auto and Technology (GM DAT) UK, due to be fully operational by the fourth quarter.
Proton subsidiary Lotus Engineering is to design a new niche range for a volume car manufacturer, using UK-developed technology to slash build costs.
PKF, the administrator for Jensen Motors, is poised to announce a buyer for the collapsed sportscar maker. It received two firm offers a week ago and expects to announce “further developments” this week.
Ford has sold Kwik-Fit to CVC Capital Partners, a private equity group, for a cut-price £330m, but it will retain a 19 per cent stake in the business.
Hyundai Car (UK) will next month launch a five-year/unlimited mileage, manufacturer-backed warranty as part of a strategy to boost sales by establishing a competitive edge in the aftersales market.
Budget, the world's third largest car and truck rental firm with 110 sites, has collapsed blaming a slump in business following the terrorist attacks in America on September 11.
Automotive retailers are set to face a new challenge from an old market player - the oil industry.<p>
Mitsubishi Motors UK is preparing to relaunch its Red Zebra used car programme in October to cope with an expected increase in capacity over the next two years.
Martin Leach, the British president of Ford of Europe, has quit the company just one year into the job and after the manufacturer revealed a second quarter loss of £326m.
Strict new rules aimed at cracking down on car finance frauds come into force next month, requiring dealers to run tight ID checks on all credit applicants.
Sunwin Motor Group, one of Yorkshire's largest traders, has bought the Renault franchise for Preston and Blackpool following Caledonia's decision to split with the marque.
Garage owners could find themselves in the dock as part of a major negligence crackdown by police and the Health and Safety Executive.
Retailers are set to claim more than £240m in overpaid VAT, according to financial experts.
The Retail Motor Industry Federation has called in specialist head-hunters to seek out a new boss for its newly-created aftermarket and used cars division.
Hyundai, South Korea's biggest carmaker, saw quarterly profits increase by 86 per cent thanks to strong European and US demand.
David Callery, managing director of the Factoring Service Group, has resigned after 12 years to join Leyland Auto Electrical and Diesel as managing director.
Ryland Group chairman Peter Whale has warned shareholders that the company will lose its franchises unless questions over future ownership are settled urgently.
CD Bramall has consolidated its position among the top dealer groups in the UK with a strong set of results for the six months to June 30, 2003. Pre-tax profits rose 28 per cent to £17.1m and turnover soared 57 per cent to £905m following last year's acquisition of Quicks.
Saab will take the wraps off a new sports hatch concept (pictured below) at next month's Frankfurt motor show as it prepares to launch the 9-3 estate next year.
Motorhouse 2000, one of the UK's largest car supermarkets, has opened a new site boosting next year's projected turnover to £150m.
Black Horse Motor Finance has been forced to speed up the introduction of its new approved dealer scheme after an unprecedented level of interest from retailers.
Volvo will reveal its all-new S40 at next month's Frankfurt Show. The new S40 will be the first Volvo built using Ford-based hardware and component sets since the Swedish carmaker was acquired by the American giant in early 1999.
Aston Martin faces further industrial action this week after the Transport and General Workers Union announced strike dates.
