New car registrations are expected to slip below 2.2m this year, making it the smallest market since 1997. Disappointing October sales have forced the SMMT to revise its previous bullish forecast of 2.225 million down to 2.185m. Dealers say the shrinking market is due to customers waiting for the new year before placing orders. There is still a lingering belief list prices could fall further, particularly since major players such as Renault and Peugeot have still to make a move.
Fred Maguire, deputy chairman at Lookers – No15 in the AM100 with a £556m turnover – has clear ambitions to be competing with the big guns. He spoke to Stephen Briers.
##147(2)--right## Just three years after the Alfa Romeo 156 was voted Car of the Year 1998, the company's new hatchback, the 147, has been voted Car of the Year 2001.
Scotland, though a separate country, is the latest 'region' to be analysed in terms of sales trends across the UK.<br> The analysis of the figures from DVLA has been carried out by automotive market analysts Polk. It covers new car sales, used car sales and vehicles in operation (the car parc) by manufacturer and model. All figures and tables relate to the period from July 1999 to June 2000. Anthony Lewis reports.
##BMW 330d--left## BMW says it is continuing to set new records in vehicle sales, with the 3 Series continuning to take a lion's share of the glory.
The strength of sterling agains the euro and disappointing car sales have been blamed for a dive in Toyota's financial performance.
Today Vauxhall claimed the title of the first manufacturer in the world to offer all its cars for sale on the internet.
Volkswagen has thrown into doubt the validity of the London motor show as a manufacturers' showcase by announcing it will not be attending the Earls Court event next year.
Only 125 cars were preregistered in September, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Skoda is predicting a 25% increase in sales this year. During October sales for the Czech brand passed the 25,000 marker.
Carmakers and dealers have fired their first shots in the battle over the future of Block Exemption.
Honda UK boss Ken Keir believes exporting the next generation CR-V (compact sports utility vehicle) to the US will bolster the profitability of its Swindon plant.
The recent spate of price cuts by the biggest manufacturers has failed to convince "rip-off Britain" hardliners that new cars are as cheap as they should be.
He congratulated all on the payroll for helping Dixon to clinch gold for large dealer group, widely regarded as the most coveted award.
##People Fair 2000--left## More than 100 executives from motor manufacturers and franchised dealer groups have registered for the first Automotive Management People Fair on November 16.<P>
Mercedes-Benz is poised to axe around 30% of its UK dealership owners as it implements a detailed performance review.
Aberdeen-based multi-franchise group John Clark has taken the VW franchise from ailing Abercromby to make its first move into Fife.
Triumphant Stephen Thompson, who led Perrys Milton Meynes to an Automotive Management gold award, celebrated victory over used car superstores.
Carmakers are divided over how much their dealers should be paid for sales achieved via the internet.
Peugeot Motor Company takes the gold award for top manufacturer after securing the No3 spot in the UK new car market and extending its warranty to three years.
Dixon Motors carries off the gold award following a series of carefully considered and well executed strategic moves over a number of years.<p>
##AM Awards 2000--left## Dealerships thrive on fresh thinking and gold award winner Alan Day New Southgate, opened in 1998, came up with a determined strategy after Audi was separated from this VW outlet.
##AM Awards 2000--left##The determination of the Dick Lovett Companies to give its employees the best chance of proving their worth led to the foundation of its Academy of Learning.
The judges were greatly impressed by the entry of Brooklands Autobody which carries away the gold award. The company's achievements include reducing the average repair lead time from three weeks to seven days.<p>
Former Ixion Motors regional operations director John Miskin is back running his own business, so successfully that NMC Sportif Citroen of Aylesbury, Bucks, scoops gold in this highly competitive category.<p>
##AM Awards 2000--left## Out of a family of coal merchants founded in Lancashire in 1906 has emerged Prestons BMW, winner of the gold award in the aftersales category.
##AM Awards 2000--left## Take an old established business, add a forward-thinking chairman and sole shareholder with uncompromising views on quality and you have gold award winner Bates Motor Group.
##AM Awards 2000--left## A year ago, the Automotive Management Awards judging panel was deeply disappointed by the standard of entries in the category for new media. Since then, a number of new entrants have emerged, based on internet sales.<p>
After four years of determined effort Perrys Milton Keynes has at last won gold in the Automotive Management Awards.<p>
The AA has bought the website established by a small team of e-commerce enthusiasts to inform motorists of where to find the cheapest petrol.
