MG Rover is blaming a reduction in the volume of parts bought and the need to buy some items from BMW for a price increase.
A scheme designed to deal with the problem of disposing more than 25m used tyres in the UK each year has been unveiled.
Last month's new-car registrations were a record for December, and helped make the year total the third highest ever, but the SMMT is cautious about prospects for 2001.
Franchised and independent dealers who survived through last year might well be hoping 2001 brings better fortune. By any standards it has been a difficult 12 months and those who have already suffered first snow, then floods, may already feel the new year has not started any better.
The launch of spring marketing campaigns leading to the March plate change has brought finance promotions back with a vengeance, just as predicted.
The Ford Transit has been named International Van of the Year by a panel of commercial vehicle editors. The Transit scored 112 points out of a maximum 133 points that can be given to a single candidate in the voting.
##Wyhinny--left## Last year's turmoil in the new car market caused by the confusion over pricing also caused the light commercial vehicle market to stall. Peter Wyhinny, Volkswagen UK commercial vehicles manager (left), said problems were caused mainly by small businesses.
Visscher Communications claims a new outsourcing product will save companies time, hassle and money when adding new vans to their fleet.
Vauxhall has started taking orders for the new Vivaro van which will cost from £12,925 when it goes on sale in summer next year.
Vauxhall has opened the order book for its new Vivaro van developed jointly with Renault, which will cost from £12,925 (ex-VAT) when it goes on sale in the summer.
The personal loan business is an 'industry in waiting' for the moment. All the main high street banks and direct lenders are hanging on for the anticipated rate cut, expected to come by late spring.
Allianz Cornhill is to centralise its operations later this year at a national call centre as it bids to double the number of repairs carried out through its approved network.
The Institute of the Motor Industry has defended dealerships against accusations by Toyota that customer service standards across the industry fall below those in other retail environments.
Jean Martin Folz today became the latest car boss to cast doubt on the future of a UK plant.
With the sale of his Jaguar interests to Sytner Group, Clive Sutton is again representing only Chrysler Jeep. He talked to Tony Willard about his approach to relationships with carmakers.
Nissan is stressing that EU approval of a £40 million UK government aid package for Sunderland does not guarantee the plant will be the home of the new Micra.
Mercedes-Benz dealers look set to challenge DaimlerChrysler's plans to terminate all their contracts within one year.
Manufacturers are ready to pounce as the confidence of the 'online consumer' in dealers falls in the next three years, according to latest research.
Reg Vardy plc finance director Gerard Murray will be promoted to chief executive from May 1. Chairman Peter Vardy, announcing lower profits, is releasing operational responsibilities to concentrate on strategy.
MG Rover will begin repaying the £500m loan to BMW from 2004 - if it has moved into profit.
The European Commission is this week expected to approve a UK government proposal to give Nissan Motor £40 million for development of its Sunderland car plant.
Recovery is in sight for the used car market, according to Cap Monitor, whcih believes the dust is settling on the new car 'dispute.
OneSwoop, the online car retailer, today announced a 12-month partnership deal with BTopenworld, BT's mass market internet business, to become the first new car retailer to feature on two of BT's internet portals.
Ford of Europe chairman Nick Scheele has added his voice to the political debate on the European single currency by warning of the damage done to UK industry if it does not adopt the euro.
Mercedes-Benz has announced the outline of a new retail strategy designed to strengthen and expand its distribution network across the UK and, it claims, revolutionise the way its cars are sold and serviced.
Lookers has restructured its management team giving it a firm platform for expansion.
Hyundai Car (UK) plans to take its products and services to the customer after launching a direct supply initiative with its dealer network.
Vauxhall chairman Nick Reilly, speaking at the Detroit motor show, dismissed speculation he would resign over the decision to close the Luton Vectra plant. He vowed to fight to secure Ellesmere Port as the second-string plant.
Bristol Street Holdings has identified Citroen as a key growth target with the acquisition of Midlands dealer Mark Pritchard Motors for an undisclosed sum.
Mercedes-Benz dealers in the UK are protesting over plans by the manufacturer to cut the network by around 40%.
