Mercedes-Benz's well-publicised price cuts, though not quite what they may seem, were followed by reductions by Audi, BMW and Jaguar. The average Mercedes cut is claimed to be 9%, with as much as 25% off the S600L, down to £77,000. Automatic transmission becomes a £1,450 option where it was standard on cars like the C240 and E240.
The executive sector, while home to many premium brands, has in recent times been particularly hard hit by the downturn in the used car market. This fact exposes the common misconception that high value brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz are isolated from residual pressures due to badge preference or desirability.
A used car dealer is fighting attempts by BMW Financial Services to claim back a P-registered 328 convertible worth more than £20,000. Tony Gilbert Cars, of Napton, Warwks, took the car in part exchange in March 1999 after an HPI check showed it was 'clean'. In fact the car had been funded on hire purchase with BMW Financial Services.
Rover Cars plans to be building up to nine models across the Rover and MG brands at its Longbridge factory by the end of next year. The multi-brand strategy will give the company an intensive, low cost production facility. Guy Pigounakis, Rover commercial director, revealed the company has at least three new MG cars “at the design concept stage” and hopes to have the first new model in showrooms by late spring of next year. A fourth MG model is still under consideration.
John Towers warned the BMW board that Alchemy, favourites to buy Rover Cars in the early stages, would “up the stakes at the last minute”. Mr Towers said he studied previous Alchemy takeover deals and could not find a case where the venture capitalist did not walk away from the table during the final days of negotiations “in the hope the seller would come back with a better offer”.
A Lancashire BMW dealership's website design division is challenging specialist companies by offering the service to other car retailers.
A visit to the new website of Preston Hall BMW shows how to use the internet to improve customer service, as outlined at the eBusiness Automotive conference in Paris.
Thrifty Car Rental UK has put around 200 ex-rental Renaults, BMWs, Toyotas and Fords on its website - www.thrifty.co.uk - as it aims to raise its online presence.
BMW has confirmed plans to invest £63m in a Rolls-Royce plant near the old Goodwood race circuit in Sussex and just 10 miles from the former home of the marque's co-founder, Sir Henry Royce.
BMW appears to have overcome its faltering UK image after achieving record registrations for May. The carmaker, which offloaded Rover last month, took 3.03% of the market on sales of 5,890 units, up 18.39% on last year.
Ford is planning a radical shake-up of its new Land Rover division after two years of losses under BMW's ownership.
Honda president Hiroyuki Yoshino has scotched speculation that the Japanese carmaker is poised to purchase “up to 49%” of the rescued Rover group. Honda's partnership with Rover ended in 1994 after the BMW acquisition.
Rover dealers have expressed a mixture of relief and optimism at the news that BMW has agreed to sell Rover Cars to Phoenix Consortium.
The Phoenix Consortium has signed a deal with BMW to pay a 'symbolic' £10 for the acquisition of Rover Cars and the Longbridge plant, raising dealer hopes of a brighter future.
Jim O'Donnell will be handed the challenging task of raising BMW GB's faltering image when he becomes managing director next month. The carmaker has taken a battering in the press following the decision to offload its ailing Rover subsidiary and its registrations slumped by more than 38% last month.
Lee Collins plans to expand the £37m turnover Prestons BMW and Hillendale Land Rover, in Colne, Lancs, after being appointed group managing director.
John Towers, head of the Phoenix Consortium, met Rover Group chairman and chief executive Werner Samann this week to table details of his bid in a meeting arranged after Trade and Industry Secretary Stephen Byers.
##Rover Badge--left##Ford is negotiating to buy the Rover brand name following the final break-up of BMW's UK subsidiary and the US firm's chief executive Jac Nasser sees a role for Rover as a prestige small and medium car brand, sitting under Volvo in its Premier Automotive Group.
Alchemy Partners, bidding to buy Rover from BMW, this week involved Stephen Byers in a row over Government action to aid redundant Midland car workers.
BMW's disposal of Rover Group has triggered intense speculation about acquisitions and partnerships as leading manufacturers hunt the most valuable brands.
