Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Reagroup UK shuffles its managerial pack
Reagroup UK, the manufacturer-owned Renault dealer group, has appointed Ian Plummer as managing director.
Previously Plummer was the group’s London divisional director and he replaces Jean Gabriel-Carlier in the role.
Stuart Walker will join him as deputy managing director. As part of the re-shuffle, six branch-based regional managers have also been appointed to the Reagroup board.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
Previously Plummer was the group’s London divisional director and he replaces Jean Gabriel-Carlier in the role.
Stuart Walker will join him as deputy managing director. As part of the re-shuffle, six branch-based regional managers have also been appointed to the Reagroup board.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
New corporate look for GM Europe
General Motors Europe is launching a multi-million pound dealer corporate identity programme throughout the region.
The combined GM and dealer investment will reach more than Euro 400m (£267m) between now and 2009.
Around 9,000 dealers will be involved in the programme although UK Vauxhall dealers will be excluded as a similar programme is already being rolled out here.
"It raises the bar for retail environments in the European automotive scene in a way that is both flexible and affordable for our retailers,” said Jonathan Browning, GM Europe vice president, sales, marketing and aftersales.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
The combined GM and dealer investment will reach more than Euro 400m (£267m) between now and 2009.
Around 9,000 dealers will be involved in the programme although UK Vauxhall dealers will be excluded as a similar programme is already being rolled out here.
"It raises the bar for retail environments in the European automotive scene in a way that is both flexible and affordable for our retailers,” said Jonathan Browning, GM Europe vice president, sales, marketing and aftersales.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
Jaguar scoops Scottish car award
The Jaguar XK Coupe has been named as the Scottish Car of the Year by the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers.
The Coupe took the overall award after judges commended the car for its design and driving performance.
Other award winners included the Fiat Grande Punto in the small car category and the new Skoda Roomster in the family category. The Ford S-MAX was named best MPV.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
The Coupe took the overall award after judges commended the car for its design and driving performance.
Other award winners included the Fiat Grande Punto in the small car category and the new Skoda Roomster in the family category. The Ford S-MAX was named best MPV.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
Mitsubishi losses narrow
Despite a difficult sales environment, Mitsubishi Motors managed to record a reduced first half loss for 2006.
The Japanese manufacturer posted an operating loss of 5.5bn yen (£24.5m), an improvement of 14.3bn yen (£64m) over the same period last year despite lower global sales volume.
Factors contributing to the improvement were mainly improved sales and model profitability mix in Japan and North America and a one-off gain on investments.
It also stuck with its forecast to return to profitability in the full fiscal year through March 2007 after three straight years of red ink.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
The Japanese manufacturer posted an operating loss of 5.5bn yen (£24.5m), an improvement of 14.3bn yen (£64m) over the same period last year despite lower global sales volume.
Factors contributing to the improvement were mainly improved sales and model profitability mix in Japan and North America and a one-off gain on investments.
It also stuck with its forecast to return to profitability in the full fiscal year through March 2007 after three straight years of red ink.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
Basingstoke dealer in administration
Family dealer group Jackson’s of Basingstoke has called in the administrators. The company, which trades both as Jackson’s of Basingstoke and Motorland, operates a Skoda dealership, truck and general vehicle serving and repairs facility from two sites in Basingstoke.
The firm said it has struggled to overcome financial difficulties that were triggered by relocation, establishing a new franchise and an "unsustainable pension scheme".
Accountancy firm Baker Tilly has been brought in and are continuing to trade the business with a view to sell it as a going concern.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
The firm said it has struggled to overcome financial difficulties that were triggered by relocation, establishing a new franchise and an "unsustainable pension scheme".
Accountancy firm Baker Tilly has been brought in and are continuing to trade the business with a view to sell it as a going concern.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
BVRLA welcomes Arnold Clark VAT ruling
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association has welcomed the recent ruling by the Scottish VAT and Duties Tribunal in favour of dealer group Arnold Clark.
The ruling sees Scotland’s largest dealer group refunded the VAT it had over-paid on bonuses received from manufacturers for vehicles used in the group’s rental and leasing business.
John Lewis, BVRLA director general, said: “It also sends a clear message to HMRC that where there are legitimate claims they should not attempt to fight a desperate rearguard action and delay payment but should settle quickly and move on.”
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
The ruling sees Scotland’s largest dealer group refunded the VAT it had over-paid on bonuses received from manufacturers for vehicles used in the group’s rental and leasing business.
John Lewis, BVRLA director general, said: “It also sends a clear message to HMRC that where there are legitimate claims they should not attempt to fight a desperate rearguard action and delay payment but should settle quickly and move on.”
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
Chrysler group posts losses
Chrysler Group has posted an operating loss of $1.46bn (£770m) for the third quarter.
Despite the loss parent company DaimlerChrysler, the world’s fifth largest car maker, maintained that it would match its forecast operating profit for 2006 of $6.29bn.
DaimlerChrysler said it had no plans to sell the company.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
Despite the loss parent company DaimlerChrysler, the world’s fifth largest car maker, maintained that it would match its forecast operating profit for 2006 of $6.29bn.
DaimlerChrysler said it had no plans to sell the company.
DATED: 31.10.06
FEED: MT
New badge for Fiat
Fiat is to introduce a new logo which will make its debut on the forthcoming Fiat Bravo before being introduced across the range.
The new badge has been derived from the shield logo that adorned Fiat models from 1931 to 1968. Luca De Meo, president of Fiat, said the badge would represent a “tangible sign of the new impetus” driving the brand.
Meanwhile the Fiat Group predicted it would hit its profitability targets for 2006 following the turnaround in its car division.
DATED: 31.10.06
The new badge has been derived from the shield logo that adorned Fiat models from 1931 to 1968. Luca De Meo, president of Fiat, said the badge would represent a “tangible sign of the new impetus” driving the brand.
Meanwhile the Fiat Group predicted it would hit its profitability targets for 2006 following the turnaround in its car division.
DATED: 31.10.06
