Current regulations don’t seem to be working as planned. By Tony Willard
Audi is gearing up for its next new car family. This year may bring the TT MkII and Q7 SUV, but 2007 heralds the new A4 range, ultimately comprising five bodystyles (and two model series).
A dispute between a Cumbrian dealer and Audi UK led to delays and the last minute withdrawal of the carmaker’s own stock at its auction at BCA Belle Vue in Manchester a week ago.
The RMI’s strategy board has given its backing to the new NFDA working group, which met for the first time in December.
The latest Audi A4 3.0 TDI quattro is available to order now and has had a power upgrade to 231bhp from 202bhp.
The M5 is the undisputed king of the performance saloon market. While Audi and Mercedes-Benz produce some amazing cars, there is a special kudos that shrouds the M5 moniker, earning it huge respect from potential buyers.
AM has published a new audit statement for the period January-December 2005 that again shows an increase in its circulation quality. The main highlight is the age of requests moving from 79% (15500) to more than 84% (16507) in year one.
The RMI is writing to the dealer council chairman at every franchise inviting them to a meeting to discuss standards and audit procedures.
Audi has sold 81,000 models in the UK this year, a rise of 5% (3,118 units) on 2004 sales.
What a year. 2005 has seen it all: falling new car sales, the collapse of MG Rover, Reg Vardy up for sale, location clause ending – and all the while retailers have been facing up to stringent franchise controls and tough audit procedures.
Turbocharging was once the great hope for petrol engines: in the early 1980s everyone seemed to be experimenting with them as they saw the benefits that accrued first to Saab with the 99 Turbo and then to Audi with the original Quattro.
Bramall & Jones has moved its Derby Audi site into a new showroom at Pride Park, Royal Scott Road.
Hugh McMahon, owner of Glasgow Audi, the world’s biggest Audi showroom when it was opened last October, is to build a second dealership.
The John Clark Motor Group, one of Scotland’s biggest dealers, is to invest £2.5 million in the relocation and expansion of its Dundee Audi dealership to a new site at Kings Cross Road in Dundee.
Audi has enhanced its A4 and A6 ranges.
Their dealers must be salivating at the prospect. In two years or so, Audi and Nissan will join the supercar elite, with four-wheel drive flagships to cast a golden hue on showrooms’ more mundane models.
The wrong biscuits: that’s all it took for one German carmaker to withhold a dealer’s bonus during an audit.
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, vice president Piero Ferrari and a selected delegation of the company’s representatives have held a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI.
Audi is to overhaul its S line sports versions of the A3, A4 and A6 for the new year.
Manufacturers’ audits are costing dealers tens of thousands of pounds a year in lost bonuses and, in some cases, lost staff.
