Last year saw a 54% rise in the number of businesses in the automotive retail sector experiencing financial problems.
Kevin James has been appointed as the new director of Seat UK.
The price disparity between the UK and Europe is now negligible as the majority of internet-based importers begin to increase prices and UK dealers become more competitive, according to the latest Car Price Check report.
Block Exemption has moved a step further to being abolished in its current form as an influential Parliamentary Committee backed recommendations that it reformed.
Vauxhall Motors marketing director Dean Barrett will be a speaker at Used cars: the future, the Automotive Management spring conference.
Auction prices from BCA.
Toyota GB has appointed Peter Howarth as its commercial vehicle manager, reporting to Jon Pollock, general manager fleet sales.
Increased dealer protection resulting from the Block Exemption review, a new Microsoft alliance and the presentation of the first AM website of the year award are among the highlights from day one of the Digital Dealer Fair.
A Manchester solicitor has urged companies not to surrender to prosecutions brought by the Environmental Agency after successfully defending a garage accused of transferring controlled waste to an unauthorised person.
Dutch chemicals giant Akzo Nobel has acquired US paint firm MAC Speciality Coatings, dampening speculation that it was set to offload its Sikkens refinish division.
Insurance giant Royal & SunAlliance is to speed up the authorisation process by adopting AudaAudit, an automated estimate review system from Audatex.
Direct lenders and banks have held interest rates firm this month, despite predictions the Bank of England may push base rates lower over the medium term.
Programmes for Success, which evolved from automotive refinisher R-M's Programmes for Profit, was developed in response to growing demands from body repairers for assistance in raising profitability.
Ford has this month launched an in-car telematics system in Germany that could have major implications for the accident repair and car servicing sector.
The first three months of the year have been more hectic than many can remember. After months of worrying about a lack of customers the sales rush has been a welcome respite for dealers genuinely concerned about their long term future.
Dealers remain cautious about the prospects for March though there is more optimism in the prestige sector than in the volume business.
Registrations rose in February by 7.3%, the fifth consecutive month of growth, confounding expectations of a blip in new car sales.
The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association has refuted speculation that it is to merge with rival trade association RMI due to falling membership.
Pearlglass, the new company running Perry Group's former motor division, believes it can outperform the plc. Paul Millard, Pearlglass joint managing director, said: “We have acquired the retail side while the market has bottomed out – the only way forward is up.
##Cap Net--left## Cap Motor Research has today announced the launch of a new automotive business alliance designed to meet the needs of dealers, manufacturers, insurers, finance providers, fleets and remarketing specialists through use of the internet.
DaimlerChrysler UK and its Mercedes-Benz dealer network were this week on a collision course for a damaging court-room battle after management staff, including M-B UK director Dermot Kelly (right), brushed aside calls for talks.
New car registrations fell nearly 9% year-on-year in February in western Europe with some of the biggest manufacturers suffering the most.
Lookers' chairman Fred Maguire has put the group's solid financial performance down to the strategy of winning “customers for life".
Vauxhall Motors today officially announced its support for a national network of car sharing clubs, helping people whose lifestyle means they currently don't have access to a car, but would benefit from occasional use of one.
The 2000 Castrol/IMI Gold Medal has been awarded to Peugeot and its UK managing director Tod Evans (right). The award was presented by His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent in London last night.
##CD Bramall--right## CD Bramall today reported a slight fall in profits in its preliminary results to the year December 31, in what chairman Tony Bramall described as one of the toughest years for the motor industry.
##Punto van rear--left## A three-year dealer warranty, which includes Fiat AA breakdown and recovery and load continuation for the first year, is now available on the new Punto Van.
##Tony Blair--left## Leading motor industry figures are due to meet with the Prime Minister this afternoon to urge the Government to increase competitiveness in the UK and give a clear signal on its intentions concerning the euro.
Renault and Nissan have created a joint purchasing division to reduce their combined £34 billion purchasing spend.
