News - Page 1661

Only one in four professional people feel sufficiently attached to their organisation to turn down another job if offered higher pay.

An all-party meeting of Members of Parliament and the RMI has been arranged for December 5 to look at claims of anti-competitive activity in the body repair industry.

Audi is setting up a specialist bodyshop network to carry out major accident repair work on the new aluminium A2.

Renault believes its move to extend warranties to three years combined with a two-year/18,000-mile servicing interval will arm dealers with the necessary tools to raise sales volumes.

MG Rover Group has signed a 10-year global parts supply deal with Cat Logistics, starting in March 2002, which will help develop parts sales as a “key revenue stream”.

Jim Tyrrell, boss of Mitsubishi Motors UK, said Britain would be “insane” not to join the euro to help stabilise pricing.

Volvo is to launch an integrated live diagnostics system next year that will allow a car to call for help from a roadside breakdown and eventually book its own servicing.

Non-fault accident assistance provider 3 Arrows is launching a new programme for working more closely with bodyshops, under the Elite Repairer Scheme.

Helphire has conceded defeat in its battle with insurers over millions of pounds of outstanding credit hire bills.

The debate over Britain and the euro was about jobs, “not heads on coins,” Ford of Europe chairman Nick Scheele (right) said at the SMMT Industry Forum Showcase 2000. But this was not the moment for the UK to join.

Ian McAllister wants to drive dotcom specialists out of car sales. At the Birmingham motor show he made clear his intention to “reach out directly to our customers”, offering quick deliveries and a saving.

Hyundai will in early 2001 offer diesel engines across its range for the first time, starting with the new Elantra.

Mercedes-Benz UK boss of passenger cars Dermot Kelly has denied the company is planning to streamline its dealership network over the next year.

Customers can now search and order Prius through Toyota's website in a trial that may be extended to other models. Purchase requests will be forwarded to the dealer selected by the customer.

Microcar importer Aixam wants to boost its dealer network in selected regions. It has sold 1,200 cars from 60 UK franchise points in a year.

Vauxhall waited for Ford's decision on new Mondeo before finalising its price lists. On top of reductions of up to 12% by Vauxhall is a three-year warranty, putting it in step with Ford.

Vauxhall chairman and managing director Nick Reilly at Birmingham motor show announced price cuts of 3.5% for cars sold online.

BMW dealers have taken more than 1,200 orders for the X5 off-roader which is now on sale. It will be in short supply at least until late next year.

Society of Motor Manufacturer and Trader chief executive Christopher Macgowan hit out at MG Rover for not exhibiting at the Birmingham motor show and then “mounting a campaign” against it.

Automotive e-commerce solutions company Q.bit has teamed up with BT Cellnet to offer dealers access to the latest mobile phone technology early next year.

Perodua claims its 1-litre Kenari mini MPV, making a European debut at the show, competes with the best in the world in terms of design sophistication and equipment levels.

Dealer anger at the decision to allow internet-based retailers to exhibit at the Birmingham motor show continued last week despite SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan's plea for unity.

Retail Motor Industry Federation chief executive David Evans this week took a Block Exemption message to Brussels: “It's best for consumers, manufacturers and dealers.”

MG Rover chief executive Kevin Howe this week dismissed press reports that Phoenix consortium head John Towers is in talks to sell the company to a rival manufacturer. Mr Howe said: “We are in it for the long haul.”

Suzuki GB is lining up a series of product launches next year to build on record year-to-September registrations of 21,479 units.

Citroen, whose C5 made a UK debut at the Birmingham motor show, has dismissed accusations of large-scale pre-registering, claiming rising sales are a result of June price cuts.

'Mondeo man' - not always the most flattering phrase when used in discussions about voters - was defended by Ford of Britain chairman and managing director Ian McAllister.<br> Mr McAllister said: “We have sold 750,000 Mondeos in the UK and it has been one of the success stories of the past decade. And the dependable Mondeo has come to represent the man in the street – 'Mondeo man'.

Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors wants to add up to 30 dealers to the 90-strong network as it seeks to boost UK sales with the YRV and other new models.

Chief executive Ian Lancaster has claimed that Virgin Cars' online proposition was the “inspiration” for Ford's direct sales website.<br> Mr Lancaster said the success of Virgin had forced Ford into a policy U-turn.

Speculation is growing over the eventual fate of the Finelist Group and its refinish distribution business Bancrofts.