"I'm expecting manufacturer passions be stirred by my by belief that drastic rationalisation of LCV model ranges is needed. But no apologies for that, because residuals are critical to everyone and any methods of improving pricing stability are worth considering:" in his first industry comment for AM-online Dave Hill, Cap Red Book senior editor, calls for range rationalisation.
September's light commercial vehicle registrations were up 14.5% year-on-year at 37,175 units, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Renault's new Trafic, built at Luton in a joint venture with Vauxhall, is on sale, undercutting the Vauxhall Vivaro by more than £1,000. Vivaro has been on sale since late summer.
Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors believes it can build on the Hijet's lead in the UK market for microvans with two new body styles. This year, DVD expects Hijet registrations to total 1,500, keeping the Suzuki Carry in second position in the sector.
Vauxhall's Combo enters the expanding small delivery van market next month as a fifth model in the company's LCV line-up.
BMW will expand its Direct fleet service after two successful pilots. The carmaker expects to sell around 500 cars next year through BMW Direct.
Renault is expected to increase its cross-shareholding relationship with Nissan.
Transport minister David Jamieson has praised vehicle manufacturers for their efforts to improve vehicle emissions and safety.
Stronger links with parent-company Ford and a focus on business centres at dealerships have been cited as the reasons behind Volvo's 23% growth in fleet business in 2001.
Production figures released today by the Office for National Statistics show that car production in September 2001 fell by 1.8% to 131,562 units, with the year-to-date total in 2001 falling by 13.3% to 1,095,286.
The search has started for Britain's finest companies operating in 12 key sectors of the automotive industry. Winners will be honoured at Automotive Management's Awards 2002 dinner at the International Convention Centre, Birmingham, on February 13.
Residual values can be affected by many factors but the ones that seem to be overlooked by most manufacturers are confusion and misunderstanding. Many carmakers have model ranges that mystify and bewilder dealers who are not directly linked to the franchised network, let alone the motoring public. This can have a major effect on residual values when these vehicles leave the closed auction arena.
Plenty of horror stories are being bandied around at present that leave an air of uncertainty looming. The complaints are not just that the stock market is unpredictable and that car buyers may be refraining from purchasing a new or used car due to a lack of funds.
New car sales in September hit record levels and all the evidence shows dealers worked hard to achieve their targets, despite the downturn in customer demand in the second half of the month. In fact a shortage of stock means many new car orders have been carried through to this month, helping to bolster the official figures again.
Banks and other direct lenders have not yet reacted to the latest global interest rate cuts and, unless a competitor makes a move, may well hold personal loans at their present value. Indeed, most high street banks have not made a cut in loan rates since early this year despite a succession of base rate reductions.
Carmakers have been hesitant to change their finance marketing plans following a successful third quarter and uncertainty about the months ahead. New car registrations in September finished well ahead of expectations and stock shortages mean many orders will have been postponed until October.
Lookers plc will soon start major redevelopment work at its Charles Hurst Group headquarters in Boucher Road, Belfast. The redevelopment will be centred around the creation of brand new separate Nissan and Renault showrooms, supported by a joint back-office facility, and the building of a separate Lexus showroom.
Results from the latest auctions by BCA, Manheim, Motorauctions Leeds and Premier Motorauctions Leeds.
Vauxhall Motors has agreed a three-year hourly pay and conditions deal with its UK workforce. The deal will be backdated from this September through to September 2004.
Ford Motor Company has vowed to expand its links with Mazda in a letter to around 20,000 employees.
Cross-border and parallel importing has reached an all-time high in Northern Ireland, according to the RMI.
Mitsubishi dealers will next weekend take part in a nationwide used car event in a bid to offload the “hundreds” of vehicles received in part-exchange last month.
A theory analysing why people distrust used car salesmen has helped three Americans take the 2001 Nobel economics prize.
Texaco is putting resources behind a push into the aftermarket following its merger this month with Chevron.
Mercedes-Benz dealers have been offered the Smart franchise. The first MB-UK dealer to be awarded the franchise, B&K Thomas in Nottingham began selling Smart today.
Franchise Dealer Survey: In the first of a series of features for AM-online, assessing the standards of customer service at dealerships across the UK, our mystery shopper visits six dealerships in Coventry, Allen Ford, Nick Whale Toyota, Gerard Mann Mercedes Benz, Tollbar Coventry Volvo, Coventry Mazda and Tachbrook Honda. Our man of mystery wonders whether he would have had more success buying a car if he'd turned up 'naked on horseback'.
European Motor Holdings has reported interim pre-tax profits up 12% to £5.51m on turnover up 6% to £221m for the six months to August 31.
GM is taking an aggressive approach to increasing efficiencies and grow its global market share, says its president and chief executive officer Rick Wagoner.
ATS Euromaster has launched a new website that includes a centre locator, information on products and services and an online booking facility for the company's 230-vehicle fleet of mobile fitting vans.
