The Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association has refuted speculation that it is to merge with rival trade association RMI due to falling membership.
Registrations rose in February by 7.3%, the fifth consecutive month of growth, confounding expectations of a blip in new car sales.
Dealers remain cautious about the prospects for March though there is more optimism in the prestige sector than in the volume business.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Insurance giant Royal & SunAlliance is to speed up the authorisation process by adopting AudaAudit, an automated estimate review system from Audatex.
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.
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.
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.
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.
##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.
Vauxhall Motors marketing director Dean Barrett will be a speaker at Used cars: the future, the Automotive Management spring conference.
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.
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.
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.
Lookers' chairman Fred Maguire has put the group's solid financial performance down to the strategy of winning “customers for life".
New car registrations fell nearly 9% year-on-year in February in western Europe with some of the biggest manufacturers suffering the most.
Renault and Nissan have created a joint purchasing division to reduce their combined £34 billion purchasing spend.
##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.
##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.
##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.
MG Rover is denying reports that its losses will be halved this year, saying it will reveal the true picture of its financial health in May.
Money spent on automotive advertising – one of the top five categories in the UK – last year fell by 6.6% although the total market rose by 5.5%, according to CIA MediaLab.
##HSBC--left## A spate of dealer consolidation is set to take place as dramatic changes in the market boost the dominance of large motor retailer groups, according to HSBC Bank.
Partco, part of the Unipart Group, has signed a major agreement with Ford to become the recommended sole supplier of its 'other makes' parts.
Vauxhall has launched a Parts Quality Assurance (PQA) programme to prevent counterfeit parts from penetrating the dealer network.
Wurth UK has signed an agreement with Ford for the supply of workshop consumables to its dealer network.
Vehicle remarketing firm GRS is celebrating 'record' successes following its new year relaunch.
