Friday, July 14, 2006
Ghosn not tempted by power of three
Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Renault and Nissan, has said he has no interest in running General Motors in the event of an alliance involving GM, Renault and Nissan.
In an interview with the CNBC cable network Ghosn denied interest in running a third company.
Prior to meeting GM chief executive Rick Wagoner, Ghosn was also reported to have said an alliance could prevent GM plant closures because Nissan needs more capacity in the US.
According to the Times, Wagoner claimed GM was not dependent on the alliance to ensure the success of its recovery plan.
DATED: 14.07.06
FEED: MT
In an interview with the CNBC cable network Ghosn denied interest in running a third company.
Prior to meeting GM chief executive Rick Wagoner, Ghosn was also reported to have said an alliance could prevent GM plant closures because Nissan needs more capacity in the US.
According to the Times, Wagoner claimed GM was not dependent on the alliance to ensure the success of its recovery plan.
DATED: 14.07.06
FEED: MT
Unions to target Peugeot and Citroen outlets
Union members are to picket PSA dealerships across the UK this Saturday in protest against the company closing its Ryton plant in Coventry.
The Amicus and T&G unions are coordinating protests outside selected Peugeot and Citroen outlets to encourage people not to buy the company’s cars.
Unions want to build pressure on the company via its dealerships to force it to reverse its decision to close the UK plant and move production to Slovakia.
DATED: 14.07.06
FEED: MT
The Amicus and T&G unions are coordinating protests outside selected Peugeot and Citroen outlets to encourage people not to buy the company’s cars.
Unions want to build pressure on the company via its dealerships to force it to reverse its decision to close the UK plant and move production to Slovakia.
DATED: 14.07.06
FEED: MT
Ellesmere Port workers to go voluntarily
Vauxhall will not have to make any compulsory redundancies at Ellesmere Port after close to a third of the plant’s employees volunteered to leave their posts.
The car maker announced it would have to cut about 900 of the 3,000 strong workforce at its factory in May.
In the end, 911 workers signed up for voluntary redundancy by this week's deadline. That is more than the 879 workers needed. In a staggered programme of lay-offs, the first group will leave on Friday. The plant will now operate on a two-shift pattern instead of three.
DATED: 14.07.06
FEED: MT
The car maker announced it would have to cut about 900 of the 3,000 strong workforce at its factory in May.
In the end, 911 workers signed up for voluntary redundancy by this week's deadline. That is more than the 879 workers needed. In a staggered programme of lay-offs, the first group will leave on Friday. The plant will now operate on a two-shift pattern instead of three.
DATED: 14.07.06
FEED: MT
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Mini named Britain's least depreciating car
The Mini is Britain’s least depreciating car and puts in a stronger residual value performance than the Porsche Boxter over three years.
According to EurotaxGlass’s, the second-generation Mini retains two-thirds of its original list price after three years, making it one of the country’s most in-demand cars.
EurotaxGlass’s said it was rare for such a car to outperform the best of the prestige sector.
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
According to EurotaxGlass’s, the second-generation Mini retains two-thirds of its original list price after three years, making it one of the country’s most in-demand cars.
EurotaxGlass’s said it was rare for such a car to outperform the best of the prestige sector.
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
Wagoner keeps open mind over alliance
GM chairman and chief executive Rick Wagoner has said he is not opposed to an alliance with Renault and Nissan.
In his first interview since news of the proposed deal hit the headlines, Wagoner said it was too soon to make a judgement.
Speaking on US news channel CNBC, Wagoner said his mind was completely open but more details were needed before a decision could be made.
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
In his first interview since news of the proposed deal hit the headlines, Wagoner said it was too soon to make a judgement.
Speaking on US news channel CNBC, Wagoner said his mind was completely open but more details were needed before a decision could be made.
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
New commercial operations director for Renault
Len Curran has taken over the helm at Renault UK’s commercial operations department.
Curran takes over as director from Andrew Luck, who leaves the company after 26 years to pursue new projects outside the organisation.
Curran will take over sole responsibility for Renault’s sales network, used vehicles and franchising operations. He will also sit on the board of directors at Renault.
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
Curran takes over as director from Andrew Luck, who leaves the company after 26 years to pursue new projects outside the organisation.
Curran will take over sole responsibility for Renault’s sales network, used vehicles and franchising operations. He will also sit on the board of directors at Renault.
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
US-based MG plant meets with union anger
Nanjing’s announcement that it intends to build up to 16,000 MG models each year at a new US car plant has angered UK trade unions.
The Transport and General Workers Union said it expressed “surprise and concern” on hearing the news.“There has been no consultation with us about this,” said Dave Osborne, T&G national secretary for the car industry.
“The T&G is calling for an urgent meeting with the company to find out exactly what they are now planning for car making in the UK.”
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
The Transport and General Workers Union said it expressed “surprise and concern” on hearing the news.“There has been no consultation with us about this,” said Dave Osborne, T&G national secretary for the car industry.
“The T&G is calling for an urgent meeting with the company to find out exactly what they are now planning for car making in the UK.”
DATED: 13.07.06
FEED: MT
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Longbridge redevelopment could create 10,000 jobs
The redevelopment of Longbridge could create up to 10,000 jobs.
According to The Guardian, the remaining land that has not been leased to Nanjing to restart car production will be redeveloped to house a range of businesses.
Property company St Modwen, which owns the land, said construction work had started on two office buildings and the company was close to a deal to set up a components warehouse at the old car plant.
DATED: 11.07.06
FEED: MT
According to The Guardian, the remaining land that has not been leased to Nanjing to restart car production will be redeveloped to house a range of businesses.
Property company St Modwen, which owns the land, said construction work had started on two office buildings and the company was close to a deal to set up a components warehouse at the old car plant.
DATED: 11.07.06
FEED: MT
Unions oppose GM alliance over job cut fears
The potential alliance between General Motors and Renault and Nissan is already facing significant opposition as union leaders around the world voice their concerns over the proposed venture.
The president of the US-based United Auto Workers union has already stated that the proposals should be opposed and European trade bodies have taken a similar stance.
In the UK, the TGWU has said it will closely monitor the talks, which are due to begin later this week. The unions’ main objection is that the alliance could lead to swingeing job cuts across the companies.
DATED: 11.07.06
FEED: MT
The president of the US-based United Auto Workers union has already stated that the proposals should be opposed and European trade bodies have taken a similar stance.
In the UK, the TGWU has said it will closely monitor the talks, which are due to begin later this week. The unions’ main objection is that the alliance could lead to swingeing job cuts across the companies.
DATED: 11.07.06
FEED: MT
Monday, July 10, 2006
Phoenix Four in tax dispute
The former MG Rover directors, the so-called Phoenix Four, are at loggerheads with their auditors after rejecting demands to set aside extra cash for disputed tax liabilities.
According to the Financial Times, the £2.7m dispute represents a significant amount of the funds the directors had pledged to give to former Rover workers. An inquiry by Revenues and Customs is now likely.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
According to the Financial Times, the £2.7m dispute represents a significant amount of the funds the directors had pledged to give to former Rover workers. An inquiry by Revenues and Customs is now likely.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
Dealer standards top NFDA agenda
Onerous standards continue to cripple dealers' businesses, according to the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association Lobbying Working Group.
The latest poll of NFDA members finds that manufacturers' demands have actually increased over the last three years despite new car sales down 4.2 per cent and dealer profitability at a low ebb.
Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA said: “This issue is a priority for the Lobbying Working Group and we are committed to campaigning strongly to ensure it is at the top of the European Commission's agenda as it prepares for the next BER.”
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
The latest poll of NFDA members finds that manufacturers' demands have actually increased over the last three years despite new car sales down 4.2 per cent and dealer profitability at a low ebb.
Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA said: “This issue is a priority for the Lobbying Working Group and we are committed to campaigning strongly to ensure it is at the top of the European Commission's agenda as it prepares for the next BER.”
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
New car sales dip in June
New car sales in June dropped 3.6 per cent year-on-year as registrations fell for the ninth successive quarter.
Volumes fell by 8,126 units to 219,497 as weakening private and business sales fuelled the decline.
The latest SMMT figures show that private registrations fell 6.2 per cent to nearly 93,000 units and are now 4.6 per cent down for the year-to-date.
Business sales fared even worse as volumes slumped 11.2 per cent in June compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date sales now stand at 1.24 million units, which represents a 4.2 per cent fall on 2005 figures.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
Volumes fell by 8,126 units to 219,497 as weakening private and business sales fuelled the decline.
The latest SMMT figures show that private registrations fell 6.2 per cent to nearly 93,000 units and are now 4.6 per cent down for the year-to-date.
Business sales fared even worse as volumes slumped 11.2 per cent in June compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date sales now stand at 1.24 million units, which represents a 4.2 per cent fall on 2005 figures.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
Peugeot hits back at union campaign
Peugeot has blasted unions for thier £1m advertising campaign urging people not to buy the company's cars in protest at the closure of Ryton.
PSA said it was committed to helping workers find alternative work and had already given £5m to help them do so.
Unions started the boycott campaign last month, putting adverts in national and regional papers and on posters close to Peugeot dealerships. Production at Ryton will be reduced from two shifts to one next week.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
PSA said it was committed to helping workers find alternative work and had already given £5m to help them do so.
Unions started the boycott campaign last month, putting adverts in national and regional papers and on posters close to Peugeot dealerships. Production at Ryton will be reduced from two shifts to one next week.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
RMI surprise at OFT U-turn
The RMI has expressed its surprise at the OFT U-turn on its revised interpretation of the Supply of New Car Order.
Earlier last month, the government’s consumer watchdog ruled that dealers which pre-register cars do not have to keep them or their registration certificates for three months to qualify for manufacturer bonuses.
However, the OFT has now stated it to be incorrect. Commenting on the OFT’s change of heart, NFDA director Sue Robinson described the whole situation as a mess. “The confusion over the last few weeks only serves to support the view that this particular piece of legislation needs to be revisited,” she said.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
Earlier last month, the government’s consumer watchdog ruled that dealers which pre-register cars do not have to keep them or their registration certificates for three months to qualify for manufacturer bonuses.
However, the OFT has now stated it to be incorrect. Commenting on the OFT’s change of heart, NFDA director Sue Robinson described the whole situation as a mess. “The confusion over the last few weeks only serves to support the view that this particular piece of legislation needs to be revisited,” she said.
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
Online car buying service for women
An online car buying service for women is to launch in November.
Gloveboxcars claims that, according to AA figures, women influence 80 per cent of car sales in the UK but many feel pressured and intimidated when visiting showrooms.
Founder and director of the service, Sarah Bennett, said: “Gloveboxes provides dealers with a cost effective internet sales channel to capitalise on this hugely profitable consumer group by connecting with the female car buyer.”
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
Gloveboxcars claims that, according to AA figures, women influence 80 per cent of car sales in the UK but many feel pressured and intimidated when visiting showrooms.
Founder and director of the service, Sarah Bennett, said: “Gloveboxes provides dealers with a cost effective internet sales channel to capitalise on this hugely profitable consumer group by connecting with the female car buyer.”
DATED: 10.07.06
FEED: MT
