The RMI is hopeful of a full investigation into the accident repair industry following its meeting with the Office of Fair Trading last week.
Paint chip repairer ChipsAway International has accused some rival firms of operating beneath the law by supplying products that contain isocynates and encouraging open air spraying.
It all began with two of the automotive industry's most influential executives battling boredom during a dull speech at a Frankfurt motor show dinner in September 1997. They engaged in deep conversation and, informal as it was, the table talk turned out to be a seminar to reshape a sizeable part of the industry at the end of its first century.
Peter O'Connor believes TMS Motor Group's website (www.tmsgroup.co.uk) is an integral part of a rapidly evolving middle-ranking dealer group. The internet will account for between 10-20% of TMS business this year including finance and parts sales.
As the review of Block Exemption draws ever nearer, it is worth remembering recent estimates have predicted a cull of up to two-thirds of Europe's dealerships over the next few years.
Annette Mansfield is rejoining HPI in her former role of sales director after leaving rival Experian.
New Ford GB director of sales Paul Thomas intends to maintain the manufacturer's position as the UK's top seller in both car and commercial vehicle markets.
Talk of U-turns visibly upsets Pat Farrell, the sales and marketing director of Daewoo Cars UK. “We never said we wouldn't use dealers – you can never say never in this business,” said Mr Farrell, an automotive industry veteran of more than 28 years.
Vauxhall has announced the end of its contract with telematics firm Trafficmaster, which saw its traffic management systems fitted as standard on Vauxhall Vectras since 1997 and Vauxhall Omegas from last year.
UK based motorsport and automotive technology group, Prodrive, has acquired Tickford, the British automotive engineering specialist based in Milton Keynes, UK, to create one of world's largest independent vehicle technology businesses.
Fleetlease, the contract hire and fleet management division of Hitachi Credit UK, has reported a pre-tax loss of £2.1m for the year to March, despite increasing business volume by 8%, due to slumping residual values.
Data from three residual pricing guides suggests that the UK used car market is beginning to recover after a torrid few years.
Dealers have an opportunity to source cut-price cars at auction after sellers were encouraged to realign residuals to reflect market changes.
Truck maker ERF has appointed Martin Rhodes to director of vehicle asset management as it seeks to sharpen focus on its used truck sales activity.
Lincolnshire Peugeot dealer Campions has teamed up with car valeter Autoclenz after a three-year gap.
BCA Europe sold 23 cars, worth £200,000, to buyers at the Fleet Show using daily Live Online auctions. The Fleet Show was the first time BCA has used Live Online in an 'open sale' format, rather than carmaker to dealer network.
Remarketing firm GRS is urging dealers to add light commercial vehicles to their range of used stock after securing a deal to supply used Fiat Scudo and Ducato vans. It believes dealers have an opportunity to boost profits by taking advantage of growing consumer demand for used vans.
As predicted last month, retail demand has remained steady and trade prices largely followed suit, although we are beginning to notice a slight slow down in trade buying activity.
Despite uncertainty surrounding issues such as the future shape of new car retailing, the all-new registration plate system being introduced in September and wider issues like the election, dealers remain bullish about the prospects for the used car market.
Seat has appointed a new chief designer, Brit Steve Lewis.
Audi will increase the number of company-owned, independently run dealerships from 20 to 35 during the next three years, according to UK director Kevin Rose.
The latest auction prices from BCA, Manheim and Premier Motorauctions Leeds
Inchcape Retail is on the acquisition trail with the buyout of the Hancock Ford dealership in Farnborough from the receivers and the purchase of the Volkswagen businesses in Bridgnorth and Telford from the Enterprise Group.
Peugeot dealer Fussell Wadman Ltd is relocating to new £1 million showrooms and workshops at London Road, Devizes.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is sticking to its forecast 2.25m total of new car registrations for the year despite April's 7% year-on-year increase.
Quicks Group chairman Michael Moore today described trading in the first quarter of 2001 as satisfactory, with sales up and group profits growth in line with company expectations.
A new online payroll service for the motor trade has been launched, called Wagemail.
Jaguar Financial Services has combined with Norwich Union to launch a motor insurance plan for all Jaguar drivers.
Tom Buehlmann, marketing director for online car retailer OneSwoop, is leaving the company today after 15 months.
The SMMT's second e-business seminar is being held at Coventry University's Technology Centre on July 4.
