Sunday, June 18, 2006
Blues Brothers keep their shades
Two motorists who model themselves on the Blues Brothers have been allowed to wear shades on their driving licence photos.
William Smith-Eccles, 56 - who changed his name to Joliet Jake Blues - said: 'The Blues Brothers look that everyone knows from the movie is how we appear day in, day out.
'So when it came to getting our licences we thought we should be wearing sunglasses. I don't think anyone would recognise us if we took them off. They're permanent fixtures.'
His 'brother' Mark Moore, 27, has changed his name to Elwood Blues. The pair, from Derby - who drive a 1974 US police car, like in the film - were also allowed to wear shades on their passport photos.
DVLA rules say pictures must 'show the full face, with no hat, helmet or sunglasses'.
But a spokeswoman said: 'In certain cases, where overall features are not impaired, it is possible to accept images of people in sunglasses.'
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: CCD
William Smith-Eccles, 56 - who changed his name to Joliet Jake Blues - said: 'The Blues Brothers look that everyone knows from the movie is how we appear day in, day out.
'So when it came to getting our licences we thought we should be wearing sunglasses. I don't think anyone would recognise us if we took them off. They're permanent fixtures.'
His 'brother' Mark Moore, 27, has changed his name to Elwood Blues. The pair, from Derby - who drive a 1974 US police car, like in the film - were also allowed to wear shades on their passport photos.
DVLA rules say pictures must 'show the full face, with no hat, helmet or sunglasses'.
But a spokeswoman said: 'In certain cases, where overall features are not impaired, it is possible to accept images of people in sunglasses.'
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: CCD
DVLA makes £6m out of motorist Personal Info
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has made more than £6 million last year selling access to the names and addresses of motorists to private sector companies such as wheel clamper, bailiffs and debt collection agencies.
This is a 27% increase on what the DVLA earned the year before from selling ownership details. The DVLA currently charges an administration fee of £2.50 to anyone who can demonstrate "reasonable cause" to receive the information from the vehicle database.
Once the request is approved a company can submit a car registration number to find out the name and address of the vehicle's owner.
One of the issues is that "reasonable cause" is not defined in the law but a DVLA spokesman said it takes its duty under the Data Protection Act to protect the privacy of motorists "very seriously" and said each request is considered on merit.
He said: "Applicants must provide as much detail as possible to support their request. Insufficient information or use of data outside the 'reasonable cause' provisions will mean refusal of the application. Members of the public are subject to more stringent checks and must provide supporting evidence such as police reports and their insurance details."
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: CCD
This is a 27% increase on what the DVLA earned the year before from selling ownership details. The DVLA currently charges an administration fee of £2.50 to anyone who can demonstrate "reasonable cause" to receive the information from the vehicle database.
Once the request is approved a company can submit a car registration number to find out the name and address of the vehicle's owner.
One of the issues is that "reasonable cause" is not defined in the law but a DVLA spokesman said it takes its duty under the Data Protection Act to protect the privacy of motorists "very seriously" and said each request is considered on merit.
He said: "Applicants must provide as much detail as possible to support their request. Insufficient information or use of data outside the 'reasonable cause' provisions will mean refusal of the application. Members of the public are subject to more stringent checks and must provide supporting evidence such as police reports and their insurance details."
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: CCD
New online sales channel to launch
A new dealer-focussed website is set to launch that aims to help retailers shift troublesome stock more easily.
Lotsof.net claims to be able to help dealers find competitive deals on cars that are taking too long to sell or on manufacturer-supported sales.
Mark Turner, managing director of lotsofnet, said: “Pressure from the manufacturer as well as increased competition from the other marques can consume a lot of time and focus. To win in this market means doing things differently.”
DATED: 18.06.6
FEED: MT
Lotsof.net claims to be able to help dealers find competitive deals on cars that are taking too long to sell or on manufacturer-supported sales.
Mark Turner, managing director of lotsofnet, said: “Pressure from the manufacturer as well as increased competition from the other marques can consume a lot of time and focus. To win in this market means doing things differently.”
DATED: 18.06.6
FEED: MT
Kia announces IMI sponsorship deal
Kia has announced it is to sponsor apprentices from its dealer network as affiliates of the Institute of the Motor Industry for the duration of their training.
Seven trainees have been awarded their certificates by the IMI and Kia claims it is one of the first manufacturers to adopt this scheme.
The Korean brand said it was happy to support apprentices from the dealer network and the move highlighted its commitment to training.
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: MT
Seven trainees have been awarded their certificates by the IMI and Kia claims it is one of the first manufacturers to adopt this scheme.
The Korean brand said it was happy to support apprentices from the dealer network and the move highlighted its commitment to training.
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: MT
Boycott criticism spurs on Peugeot protests
Unions representing the sacked Peugeot workers at its Ryton plant have shrugged off criticism from government and forged ahead with their dealership protests.
Workers were set to demonstrate outside the Beechwood Motors dealership in Coventry today. Unions opted to continue their struggle despite condemnation from Labour ministers in parliament this week over the unions’ call to boycott Peugeot and Citroen models. Unions reiterated their call for the manufacturer to “sit down and negotiate” possible alternatives to the complete closure of Ryton.
DATED: 18.06.6
FEED: MT
Workers were set to demonstrate outside the Beechwood Motors dealership in Coventry today. Unions opted to continue their struggle despite condemnation from Labour ministers in parliament this week over the unions’ call to boycott Peugeot and Citroen models. Unions reiterated their call for the manufacturer to “sit down and negotiate” possible alternatives to the complete closure of Ryton.
DATED: 18.06.6
FEED: MT
European new car sales rise in May
New car sales across Europe made an impressive recovery last month following the Easter blip.
According to the latest Acea figures, year-on-year sales for May were 9.6 per cent up on 2005 figures, peaking at 1.42 million units.
The rise follows a 7.3 per cent year-on-year drop in April – a result of the Easter holiday period – meaning registrations have now risen in four out of the five months so far this year.
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: MT
According to the latest Acea figures, year-on-year sales for May were 9.6 per cent up on 2005 figures, peaking at 1.42 million units.
The rise follows a 7.3 per cent year-on-year drop in April – a result of the Easter holiday period – meaning registrations have now risen in four out of the five months so far this year.
DATED: 18.06.06
FEED: MT
