Dealers are increasingly using the internet to source nearly new vehicles, but remain reluctant to purchase online, according to Greenhous Remarketing Services.
Avis Europe's e-commerce website has gone live in partnership with Navidec, the US online service provider.
The AA is urging buyers to “grill” used car retailers or risk purchasing unroadworthy or clocked vehicles.
Although the market is depressed there is a real shortage of the kind of two-to-five year-old cars that have historically come in the form of part-exchanges. It is quite apparent in the auction halls as well as when you talk to dealers.
Manheim Auctions has expanded into Scotland through a joint venture with the Scottish Motor Auction Group.
Organisers promise that the Commercial Vehicle Show 2001 will be even better than this year's record-breaking event.
The last of the classic Transits has been driven off the production line at Ford's Southampton plant, making way for the all-new model.
The traditional 'stock-push' system has given car manufacturers a method that allows them to minimise the cost of production.
Mitsubishi Motors UK has this month dropped the price of parts for grey and parallel imports by 20% as it seeks to lower the cost of car ownership for all customers.
Mitsubishi has set up an affinity deal with Cox Insurance for its new and used models. which promises to undercut insurance quotes by £10.
Inchcape this week agreed to sell its 49% stake in Toyota (GB) back to parent company Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) for £42.1m, subject to EC approval. Last year, the division contributed £5m to Inchcape's pre-tax profits.
Autotrader.co.uk aims to help franchised dealers' raise new and used car sales with a series of online product launches.
North-east LCV dealer Patterson Ford has sent its technicians back to school to learn about the new Ford Transit.
Retail Motor Industry Federation officials are to meet Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers this autumn to discuss the review of Block Exemption which, according to EC officials, has failed to work in the way intended.
Nissan's decision on whether to build the new Micra at its Sunderland plant remains in the balance following this week's meeting between its president Carlos Ghosn and Prime Minister Tony Blair.
An American dealer group has linked with UK training specialist BTC to give car retailers the chance to take on newcomers such as Virgin Cars and Autobytel.
Accident Assistance has launched a new service for commercial vehicle drivers involved in non-fault accidents. Commercial Accident Care offers drivers the opportunity to stay mobile if their vehicle is forced off the road for repairs.
Maserati is seeking three more dealers in the next phase of its UK development as a subsidiary of Ferrari with the intention of trebling sales to 1,000 a year.
International Motors has appointed a management team for its new Daihatsu operation, Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors, promising greater support for the dealer network and a series of model launches.
Sytner is set to spend “several million pounds” developing its internet motor retailing business after appointing Martin Runnacles as director of e-commerce.
Mitsubishi Motors has appointed Peter Griffiths as general manager - network development with a remit to boost the dealer network from 117 to “a permanent and profitable” 150 outlets.
Land Rover has announced across-the-range price cuts up to 14% in a bid to end “uncertainty and confusion” in the UK market in time for the September plate-change.
Rover is calling on fleets to 'buy British, buy quality' in a new drive to win back its place as one of the leading fleet suppliers in the country. New fleet sales director Angus Grey said his 'door is open' to all fleets.
Speculation is mounting that Government action to reduce new car prices in the UK is merely a fortaste of more wide-ranging car retail reform following a review of the European Commission block exemption governing car sales through the European Union.
Home improvements company Everest is set to become Britain's largest gas-powered fleet following its decision to replace its 600 vehicles with liquefied petroleum gas models. The Hertfordshire-based firm has already taken delivery of 125 gas-powered Ford Transits in a multi-million pound deal, part-funded by the Government-backed Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme.
Computerised estimating provider Audatex is moving its AudaWorkstation system online in the first phase of a million-pound internet strategy.
Nissan Motor GB has launched a national parts trade programme designed to boost business for its franchised dealer network.
Audi dealers are set to take a hit on servicing revenues after the manufacturer announced plans to extend intervals to up to 30,000 miles, depending on car usage.
Nationwide Crash Repair Centres, part of Perry Group, has purchased four accident repair centres from Pendragon for £3.7m cash.
Renault is looking to keep owners of older models within its franchised network, raising aftersales profits for dealers, with the pilot launch of Minute.
