News - Page 1638

DaimlerChrysler UK and the Mercedes-Benz dealers today announced that they have reached an agreement on the implementation of a new retail strategy.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has unveiled an improved range of Transporters, plus until October a range of finance offers.

Nissan has named Co-Op Motor Group in Ilkeston its best service department in the UK.

A scheme to help young people qualify as 'customer friendly' fast-fit technicians has won a national training award for Manchester-based dealer group Lookers.

The John Clark Motor Group, the multi-franchise group which operates in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, has opened its new £2.2 million flagship BMW dealership.

Ford has this morning announced the development of a new diesel production facility at Dagenham as part of a $500m investment in diesel technology at the plant by 2004.

Maserati has teamed up with Car Care Plan to launch a vehicle warranty programme in the UK.

Dealers across Europe are worried about possible changes to Block Exemption rules but feel powerless to influence EC commissioner Mario Monti's decision making.

Used car prices are set to tumble from September 1 as dealers push out stock to make way for a glut of 'old-plate' nearly new vehicles.

PSA Peugeot Citroen and Toyota have officially announced they are to invest 1.5 billion Euros (£0.9bn) in the development of “small, cheap passenger cars for the European market”.

The former chief engineer responsible for the development of the Toyota Yaris has taken over all responsibilities for the Japanese car maker's European manufacturing operations.

Seat UK has joined the ranks of manufacturers posting best ever half-year sales results with 13,423 new cars sold to the end of June.

Growing demand for tax-efficient executive class diesels helped produce a record half-year sales result for Mercedes-Benz in Britain.

Reforms to Block Exemption will herald an era of revived competition in new car retailing, allowing a spate of new players – including supermarkets - to flood the market with the consumer ending up the biggest winner.

Toyota - due to confirm a small-car platform alliance with PSA Peugeot Citroen today - is tipped to be the supplier of diesel engines for BMW's Mini from 2003.

Used car dealers must ensure they stay within the VAT laws when it comes to 'bumping', warns Martin Ward, Cap Network national research manager.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation's bodyshop services Division (BSD) has called on the Association of British Insurers (ABI) to produce a code of practice to regulate the rise of 'Phoenix' bodyshops - those that fail only to re-emerge under a new name.

Retail buyers have added nearly 100,000 additional sales to the six-month registration figures as demand shows little sign of slowing.

Dealers' best opportunity for selling cars online could come from the business-to-business sector rather than private sales, according to Epyx managing director Greg Connell.

A report by business information provider Datamonitor claims that 79,000 ex-fleet used cars a year will be sold online in western Europe by 2005.

MG Rover is on track to achieve its target to break even next year having drastically reduced pre-tax losses.

Peter Head is enjoying business life much more again now Warranty Holdings is part of Ford Motor Company. Ford remains something of a family firm (chairman Bill is Henry's great grandson) and this is a major improvement over his company's previous period of ownership.

The Max Power generation is boosting the longevity of some of motorings old-timers, according to Glass's.

Peugeot and Mitsubishi are celebrating year-to-date sales successes outstripping overall market growth, and for the Japanese manufacturer giving it its strongest ever January-June result.

G&M Motors, in Gravesend has become one of the UK's first Honda dealerships to adopt its 'brand centre' strategy.

Trading standards officers are calling on the UK Government to create a new Motor Trades Act to set standards for the advertising, sale and servicing of cars and light commercial vehicles.

The first 350 new Minis for the UK's 148 dealers left the Cowley, Oxford, factory last month to go on sale this week. It marked the end of a remarkable 11 months that have seen the former Rover plant completely transformed in order to boost production efficiency.

Mini goes on sale tomorrow (July 7) and already dealers are raising their sights on transaction prices. One enthusiast among the 2,500 buyers who have ordered a car unseen has specified so many options the final bill will be just over £16,000 – against a base price of £10,300.

Changes to Block Exemption in 2002 will create opportunities for dealers, says James Robinson, partner and head of competition group at Tite & Lewis, the law firm in association with Ernst & Young

Changes to Block Exemption in 2002 will create opportunities for dealers, says James Robinson, partner and head of competition group at Tite & Lewis, the law firm in association with Ernst & Young