Fiat dealer Richard Cort Italia has gone into voluntary liquidation, with the loss of 19 jobs.
Auto Trader sees used diesel car prices rise by 3% Used diesel car prices rose by 3% as the average price of a used car rose 6% industry-wide, according to Auto Trader’s Retail Price Index. Despite a fall in the share of searches by fuel-type targeting a diesel vehicle, 71% In November 2016, to an annual low of 53% in January, diesel car sales via the online marketplace generated an average value of £14,405 in last month, compared to the £12,775 realised by the average used car sale. The Auto Trader Retail Price Index analyses data from over 500,000 trade used car listings every day, as well as additional dealer forecourt and website data to deliver its monthly statistics. It said that the £777 increase in the value of a diesel car sold via its platform represented “a promising start for used diesel prices” However, petrol saw a more impressive leap in used prices in January, recording an average price of £10,713, which is a £1,733 jump on January 2017 – representing a 10% increase on a like-for-like basis. Online searches for petrol cars, meanwhile, have steadily risen and accounted for 43% in January 2018, compared to just 26% in November 2016. In January 2018 4% of all fuel-related searches were attributed to alternatively fuelled vehicles, which was no movement from December and a 1% increase year-on-on. Comparing the total volume of AFV searches across the year, the number of searches for AFVs on Auto Trader increased 65% between 2016 and 2017, with electric alone recording a huge jump of 84% in searches. Karolina Edwards-Smajda, Auto Trader’s retailer and consumer product director, said: “With new diesel registrations continuing to tumble, it’s very reassuring to see used diesel prices not only retaining their value, but actually increasing in January. “It’s clear, however, just how harmful the government’s strong anti-diesel stance has been on the automotive industry. “We can see that the misstep in not clarifying the difference between new Euro6 and older vehicles has seriously dampened consumer buying confidence, reflected in both the ongoing fall in new diesel registrations, as well as the searches on our market place.”
Kia is preparing for a Six Nations take-over of London's Waterloo Station and a continued push on sports sponsorship as it looks to make its mark in “one of the most competitive environments in the world” with its Stinger performance car.
MPs have called for the return Motability scheme funds to the treasury after it emerged that the charity was holding on to £2.4 billion after “decades” of underspending to the tune of more than £200 million-per-year.
Shak’s Specialist Cars (SSC) in Hudderfield has been named Business of the Year at the 2018 British Muslim Awards.
Airbags continued to be the main cause of vehicle recalls in Q4 2017, accounting for 20 (30%) of the 65 issued for passenger cars.
Cap HPI has appointed Derren Martin as head of current valuations following the announcement that senior editor James Dower is leaving the business.
WMS Group has targeted success in an “exciting year” with the help of new appointment Keith Pipe who has joined the group as its new head of sales.
Car retailers face a £158.5 million tax rise over the next five years as “further increased liabilities if investing” place further pressure on an industry which has lost one-in-ten locations since 2009.
DS Automobiles UK will gain its first dedicated managing director when Alain Descat takes up the newly-created post in April.
Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the all-new A-Class, which will go on sale in March with first deliveries in June.
One of the “leading data protection practitioners in Europe” Ardi Kolah will take to the stage as a keynote speaker at AM’s GDPR conference.
BCA Nottingham’s Top Car Sale showed further signs of strength in the luxury and supercar sector as online bidders accounted for 85% of its auction stock.
Cap HPI has announced the appointment of Max Robert Mueller as future car value manager for Germany as it continues to drive growth on the continent.
Arnold Clark is opening its doors to 300 new apprentices, this summer, across a variety of roles.
Car dealers who generated an £17,000 average profit in December 2016 suffered the effects of a £400 loss 12 months later, according to ASE.
Cox Automotive has announced a number of changes to its executive leadership team, including Martin Forbes as CEO.
Northern Ireland’s Donnelly Group has acquired Eakin Bros’ County Londonderry Vauxhall franchise in an expansion which saw it claim to be “the home of Vauxhall in the North West”.
New car sales volumes fell by 6.3% as the market started 2018 with the lowest January total since 2014, prompting the SMMT to urge government to drive fleet drivers back into diesel cars.
Renault UK has announced the winners of its Dealer of the Year Awards at a ceremony during its annual dealer conference.
The UK government plans a law change which will hold vehicle importers and dealer-distributors to account if vehicles are sold with emissions defeat devices.
Hendy Group is celebrating its top technicians and administrative staff following the 2017 Service Awards.
Geldards solicitors will explain if a company needs to hire a data protection officer at AM’s forthcoming GDPR conference.
The future of automotive retailing has been in question as car buyers have uncertainty around diesel, electrification and autonomous cars.
Mapfre has strengthened its partnership with Renault Sport Formula One, becoming one of the team’s main sponsors for the next five seasons.
Tech-savvy car dealers have been urged to recognise the potential sales boost that can be delivered by embracing smartphone technology in their business.
Seat has revealed that it is currently “evaluating scope for a UK Cupra specialist network” as it prepares for a re-launch of the performance car model line at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.
JCT600’s Peugeot dealership on Sticker Lane in Bradford has re-opened following a four month redevelopment.
BMW and Daimler have now suspended senior staff in light of allegations surrounding the testing of diesel emissions on monkeys in the US.
Mercedes-Benz Vans UK is preparing to launch its first pop-up store at the intu Trafford Centre in Manchester, launching a model could be rolled out among UK retailers.
