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.
Three Vauxhall models have won accolades in the annual What Car? Top 100 Used Car Bargains search.
Vehicle remarketing firm GRS is celebrating 'record' successes following its new year relaunch.
Wurth UK has signed an agreement with Ford for the supply of workshop consumables to its dealer network.
Vauxhall has launched a Parts Quality Assurance (PQA) programme to prevent counterfeit parts from penetrating the dealer network.
Partco, part of the Unipart Group, has signed a major agreement with Ford to become the recommended sole supplier of its 'other makes' parts.
##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.
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.
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.
Audi has blamed Chancellor Gordon Brown's Budget as one reason not to sell the A2 1.2-litre turbodiesel in the UK. The company is demanding financial incentives to encourage British drivers to use more fuel-efficient cars with lower emissions.
Mitsubishi Motors and Skoda have expanded their dealer networks. Mitsubishi has appointed six new dealers this year, all operational in time for the March plate change and helping to achieve the company's goal of appointing 20 new dealers by the end of the year.
Bolton-based Lythgoe Motor Group has purchased the Rochdale retail site from DC Cook, which went into receivership earlier this year.
Mercedes-Benz has refused to withdraw its 12-month termination of dealer contracts, DaimlerChrysler UK said today. Dealers leading the protest were in talks today with Retail Motor Industry officials about legal action.
##Perrysweb--left## Perry Group's motor division has been sold for £25.9m to two members of its management team who have created a new company called Pearlglass.
Audatex, supplier of vehicle damage estimating systems, has announced a re-shape and expansion of its insurer services team.
Glass's Information Services' bodyshop and insurance division has appointed three sales managers to support its BodyMaster and Glassmatix III brands and enhance its coverage of the UK bodyshop network.
Auction prices from BCA, Manheim and Premier Motorauctions.
Plans for a new British sports car to challenge the successful Porsche Boxster model are expected to get the green light this autumn.
Motorcycle enthusiasts who are taking to the road, pushing registrations for January 2001 up 41% year-on-year, from 6,692 units in January 2000 to 9,438 in the same month of 2001, are being warned of the 'sting' from insurance companies.
##GM--left## The first benefits of General Motors' alliance with Fiat on powertrain developments will be the use of Italian-manufactured diesel engines in 2003 in either the Vauxhall Corsa or Astra. The GM-Fiat alliance in the areas of powertrain and purchasing was announced last year and is now becoming operational.
##Digital Dealer Fair--right## The spring Digital Dealer Fair is designed to provide you with the opportunity to see first hand the products and systems available as well as hear specialist speakers discuss the key issues you face now and in the future, whether you are selling to businesses or to consumers.
New car registrations rose 7.3% in February to 79,151 units and year-to-date figures were up 3.2% to 267,059 units.
The motor industry has largely welcomed Chancellor Gordon Brown's budget and in particular measures that leading figures say will maintain economic stability.
