Monday, September 11, 2006
Continued growth for Nidd Vale
Harrogate dealer group Nidd Vale Group has reported a 10 per cent leap in turnover to £38.14m for the first six months of the year.
During this period, new and used vehicle sales rose by more than 7 per cent to 3,125 units, while parts sales soared by 21 per cent to £1.87m and turnover for the service operation leaped by more than 27 per cent to £1.5m.
Colin Hainstock, Nidd Vale chairman and chief executive, said: “These are very satisfactory figures, given the very competitive conditions in which we operate.”
DATED: 11.09.06
FEED: MT
During this period, new and used vehicle sales rose by more than 7 per cent to 3,125 units, while parts sales soared by 21 per cent to £1.87m and turnover for the service operation leaped by more than 27 per cent to £1.5m.
Colin Hainstock, Nidd Vale chairman and chief executive, said: “These are very satisfactory figures, given the very competitive conditions in which we operate.”
DATED: 11.09.06
FEED: MT
Ford and GM battle for Daewoo plant
Ford and General Motors have entered a bidding war to take over a former Daewoo factory in Craiova, Romania.
The government-owned plant has the capacity to make 150,000 cars and 300,000 engines a year.
The two car makers, both struggling in their domestic market, are keen to boost low cost production in eastern Europe.
Reports suggest the car makers would have to pay well over £500m to secure the plant.
Meanwhile, Ford has announced that all its senior managers will now report to new chief executive Alan Mulally, who will report solely to chairman Bill Ford.
DATED: 11.09.06
FEED: MT
The government-owned plant has the capacity to make 150,000 cars and 300,000 engines a year.
The two car makers, both struggling in their domestic market, are keen to boost low cost production in eastern Europe.
Reports suggest the car makers would have to pay well over £500m to secure the plant.
Meanwhile, Ford has announced that all its senior managers will now report to new chief executive Alan Mulally, who will report solely to chairman Bill Ford.
DATED: 11.09.06
FEED: MT
Peugeot boss calls time
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Chief executive of PSA Peugeot Citroen, Jean Martin Folz, is to retire in January. The French manufacturer confirmed it is now going through a selection process to find Folz’s replacement. The appointment of the future chairman of the managing board will be subject to the supervisory board’s approval prior to the end of the year. The future chairman is to take up his duties during the first quarter of 2007.
DATED: 11.09.06
FEED: MT |
New Toyota boss steps up
Miguel Fonseca has taken up his new position as managing director of Toyota GB.
Fonseca joins the company from Toyota Spain, where he held the positions of managing director and, subsequently, vice-president and chief operations officer.
He replaces Graham Smith, who after a decade at the helm at the brand, is taking on the role of vice-president for Toyota Motor Europe and managing director of Toyota Motor Europe at its London office.
DATED: 11.09.06
FEED: MT
Fonseca joins the company from Toyota Spain, where he held the positions of managing director and, subsequently, vice-president and chief operations officer.
He replaces Graham Smith, who after a decade at the helm at the brand, is taking on the role of vice-president for Toyota Motor Europe and managing director of Toyota Motor Europe at its London office.
DATED: 11.09.06
FEED: MT
Sunday, September 10, 2006
EU judgment gives dealers BER boost
Dealers across Europe have been given a legal shot in the arm over their distribution agreements with manufacturers who use the current block exemption to terminate outlets at short notice.
This follows a judgement this week by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg relating to a case in Denmark between importer Skandinavisk Motor Company and a VW Group dealer.
The judgement sees the burden of proof now placed on manufacturers when challenged by dealers issued with one year termination notices.
Manufacturers must produce “convincing” evidence to justify a decision to give only 12 months notice.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
This follows a judgement this week by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg relating to a case in Denmark between importer Skandinavisk Motor Company and a VW Group dealer.
The judgement sees the burden of proof now placed on manufacturers when challenged by dealers issued with one year termination notices.
Manufacturers must produce “convincing” evidence to justify a decision to give only 12 months notice.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
Mini claims top spot in NFDA survey
Lexus has finally been knocked of its perch atop the National Franchised Dealer Association’s Dealer Attitudes Survey.
After an unprecedented run of six consecutive survey wins, Lexus has slipped to fourth and relinquished the title to Mini.
The BMW-owned brand came top overall with a score of 8.8 out of ten, followed by Land Rover in second place and Audi in third.
At the other end of the table Alfa Romeo’s troubles in the UK continued after its dealers rated it the country’s least valued franchise. A score of just 3.1 left it firmly rooted to the foot of the table.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
After an unprecedented run of six consecutive survey wins, Lexus has slipped to fourth and relinquished the title to Mini.
The BMW-owned brand came top overall with a score of 8.8 out of ten, followed by Land Rover in second place and Audi in third.
At the other end of the table Alfa Romeo’s troubles in the UK continued after its dealers rated it the country’s least valued franchise. A score of just 3.1 left it firmly rooted to the foot of the table.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
China to become world's second largest car market
08 Sep 2006
China is set to overtake Japan as the second largest car market in the world behind the US within two years.
Automotive information provider RL Polk estimates that China will register 5.26 million cars in 2008 compared to Japan’s 4.9 million.
Last year the Chinese market, with almost 3.9 million new car sales, climbed into third place above Germany, Europe’s largest market, where 3.34 cars were registered.RL Polk predicted the Chinese market would hit 6 million sales by 2010.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
China is set to overtake Japan as the second largest car market in the world behind the US within two years.
Automotive information provider RL Polk estimates that China will register 5.26 million cars in 2008 compared to Japan’s 4.9 million.
Last year the Chinese market, with almost 3.9 million new car sales, climbed into third place above Germany, Europe’s largest market, where 3.34 cars were registered.RL Polk predicted the Chinese market would hit 6 million sales by 2010.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
Used car values hit record high of £32.3bn
Used car volumes and values reached an all time high last year as the number of cars sold reached 7.3 million with a value of £32.3bn.
The latest Used Car Market Report from British Car Auctions found that the used car market continued to prosper in 2005, despite pressure on new car sales. Dealers were responsible for 53.3 per cent of used car volumes.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
The latest Used Car Market Report from British Car Auctions found that the used car market continued to prosper in 2005, despite pressure on new car sales. Dealers were responsible for 53.3 per cent of used car volumes.
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
New franchise team for Skoda
Skoda has formed its own franchise team as part of plans to focus the brand on its dealers and deliver ambitious growth plans.
Heading up the new team is Iain Semple who takes on the new role of national franchise manager.
Head of operations at Skoda UK David Ovenden, said: “This team was created to be devoted entirely to our retailers.
Iain will head up this division to continue growing the brand as more and more people turn to Škoda. His knowledge of the retailer network and sound understanding of franchising make him ideal to tackle this new role.”
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
Heading up the new team is Iain Semple who takes on the new role of national franchise manager.
Head of operations at Skoda UK David Ovenden, said: “This team was created to be devoted entirely to our retailers.
Iain will head up this division to continue growing the brand as more and more people turn to Škoda. His knowledge of the retailer network and sound understanding of franchising make him ideal to tackle this new role.”
DATED: 10.09.06
FEED: MT
