Friday, December 22, 2006
GM pledges to keep Ellesmere Port until 2012
VAUXHALL'S Ellesmere Port plant received something of a morale booster today.
General Motors Europe has pledged not to outsource production of its Vauxhall, Opel or Saab brands from existing plants until the 2012 model year.
The news comes from the carmaker's European works council.
"This commitment from General Motors Europe means we have been able to counter the constant fear that jobs will be shifted from the West to the East," works council head, Klaus Franzt, said.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
General Motors Europe has pledged not to outsource production of its Vauxhall, Opel or Saab brands from existing plants until the 2012 model year.
The news comes from the carmaker's European works council.
"This commitment from General Motors Europe means we have been able to counter the constant fear that jobs will be shifted from the West to the East," works council head, Klaus Franzt, said.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
New adjournment in Automotive Skills case
THE CASE of theft and forgery against James Munroe, the dismissed director of corporate affairs at Automotive Skills, was again adjourned, yesterday.
It was the third time the case has been adjourned. It will now be heard on January 4 at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court.
The adjournment was at the request of the defence.
Mr Munroe originally faced four charges but these have now been increased to 22.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
It was the third time the case has been adjourned. It will now be heard on January 4 at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court.
The adjournment was at the request of the defence.
Mr Munroe originally faced four charges but these have now been increased to 22.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
Scottish dealer boarded-up as receivers called-in
STRACHANS of Ayr, which operates Chevrolet and Proton franchises, has been placed in receivership.
The showroom in Peebles Street has been boarded-up and all cars removed from the site.
Paisley-based Campbell & Dallas has been appointed to liquidate the assets of the firm and pay off creditors.
Earlier this year, the dealership sold its other Proton business in Stevenson.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
The showroom in Peebles Street has been boarded-up and all cars removed from the site.
Paisley-based Campbell & Dallas has been appointed to liquidate the assets of the firm and pay off creditors.
Earlier this year, the dealership sold its other Proton business in Stevenson.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
Hatfield takes-over Jaguar territory in Worcester
FAMILY-OWNED dealer Group, Hatfields, has taken over the Jaguar franchise in Worcester, previously operated by HA Fox, part of Inchcape.
The new showroom is due to open on 2 January at a site on Ombersley Road.
Trevor Wilcox, who previously ran the Inchcape Jaguar unit Fox in Worcester, has been appointed as general manager of the new Hatfields outlet.
This will be the sixth Jaguar dealership in the Hatfields group, joining existing sites in Shrewsbury, Liverpool, Wakefield, Sheffield and Hull. In total, Hatfields covers eight manufacturers across 16 locations.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
The new showroom is due to open on 2 January at a site on Ombersley Road.
Trevor Wilcox, who previously ran the Inchcape Jaguar unit Fox in Worcester, has been appointed as general manager of the new Hatfields outlet.
This will be the sixth Jaguar dealership in the Hatfields group, joining existing sites in Shrewsbury, Liverpool, Wakefield, Sheffield and Hull. In total, Hatfields covers eight manufacturers across 16 locations.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
Robins & Day stamps its name on all outlets
THE PEUGEOT-owned, Robins & Day Group, which trades under several different names, is rebranding all outlets under the Robins & Day name.
It is part of a national programme by the Coventry-based group to apply its branding to all 38 dealerships in the business.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
It is part of a national programme by the Coventry-based group to apply its branding to all 38 dealerships in the business.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
Desira brothers end family feud
THE DESIRA Group has bought DBS Desira, the Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealership in Bury St Edmunds.
The Desira Group and DBS Desira are separate businesses run by the 'feuding' Desira brothers.
John Desira runs the larger Desira Group with Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Nissan dealerships throughout East Anglia and London.
His brothers, Joe and Sam, had the Fiat franchise in Bury St Edmunds, whilst Sam owns a Fiat and Citroen franchise in Hertford.
The family of brothers used to work together in the retail motor industry but split-up 14-years ago due to family disputes.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
The Desira Group and DBS Desira are separate businesses run by the 'feuding' Desira brothers.
John Desira runs the larger Desira Group with Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Citroen and Nissan dealerships throughout East Anglia and London.
His brothers, Joe and Sam, had the Fiat franchise in Bury St Edmunds, whilst Sam owns a Fiat and Citroen franchise in Hertford.
The family of brothers used to work together in the retail motor industry but split-up 14-years ago due to family disputes.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: AW
Inchcape's share price rises amid takeover talk
Inchcape’s share price has risen by over 15p to 510p amid speculation that the dealer group could be a takeover target.
Despite agreeing to buy European Motor Holdings for over £260m earlier this month, industry speculation is growing that the UK’s second largest dealer group could itself be subject to a takeover bid.
Pendragon could be viewed as a likely bidder for Inchcape after the company raised £239m in a recent sale and leaseback scheme of 81 dealerships.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
Despite agreeing to buy European Motor Holdings for over £260m earlier this month, industry speculation is growing that the UK’s second largest dealer group could itself be subject to a takeover bid.
Pendragon could be viewed as a likely bidder for Inchcape after the company raised £239m in a recent sale and leaseback scheme of 81 dealerships.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
Elliott to leave RMIF
Gary Elliott, director of sales and marketing at the RMIF, is leaving the federation at the end of December after nearly two years in the role.
Elliott had been brought in as part of the RMIF’s plans to modernise. “'I've had an exciting time at the RMIF, and hugely enjoyed the challenge of helping to develop the Federation's strategy and its new message to members,” Elliott said.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
Elliott had been brought in as part of the RMIF’s plans to modernise. “'I've had an exciting time at the RMIF, and hugely enjoyed the challenge of helping to develop the Federation's strategy and its new message to members,” Elliott said.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
Acquisitive Vertu raises £25m on AIM
Vertu Motors, the acquisitive new dealer group formed by former Reg Vardy managing director Robert Forrester, has successfully joined the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.
The new venture, which is a vehicle for acquiring dealer groups, raised £25m via an over-subscribed placing of 41,666,667 shares at a price of 60p per ordinary share, valuing the company at £28.0 million.
“The high level of demand for the issue and the resulting funds raised will enable us to work closely with our manufacturer partners on a number of exciting acquisition opportunities,” said Forrester.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
The new venture, which is a vehicle for acquiring dealer groups, raised £25m via an over-subscribed placing of 41,666,667 shares at a price of 60p per ordinary share, valuing the company at £28.0 million.
“The high level of demand for the issue and the resulting funds raised will enable us to work closely with our manufacturer partners on a number of exciting acquisition opportunities,” said Forrester.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
Dealer group rapped by FSA
Eastern Western Motor Group has landed in hot water with the Financial Services Authority over failures relating to its sale of payment protection insurance.
According to the financial services watchdog, the dealer group, which has a strong presence in Scotland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, "failed to organise and control its regulated business effectively".
The FSA said it did not keep an "adequate record of the PPI sale on customers' files or provide customers with a statement of the total price for the PPI policy". The group escaped a financial penalty and instead it was given a censure.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
According to the financial services watchdog, the dealer group, which has a strong presence in Scotland and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, "failed to organise and control its regulated business effectively".
The FSA said it did not keep an "adequate record of the PPI sale on customers' files or provide customers with a statement of the total price for the PPI policy". The group escaped a financial penalty and instead it was given a censure.
DATED: 22.12.06
FEED: MT
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
IM Group completes HQ switch
The IM Group, the UK importer of Subaru, Isuzu and Daihatsu vehicles, has completed the move to its new multi-million pound headquarters in the Midlands.
The company has been based at its Ryder Street premises in West Bromich for the past 25 years but has now switched to a new site on the Coleshill Manor Business Campus.
Meanwhile, the IM Group has also announced that it is on track to appoint an additional 20 dealerships by the end of the year.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
The company has been based at its Ryder Street premises in West Bromich for the past 25 years but has now switched to a new site on the Coleshill Manor Business Campus.
Meanwhile, the IM Group has also announced that it is on track to appoint an additional 20 dealerships by the end of the year.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
New car sales rise in Europe
Sales increases in the European new car market outpaced those in the UK by more than double in November.
According to the latest Jato figures, new car sales on the continent rose by 4.7 per cent year-on-year compared to an increase of just 2 per cent in the UK.
A total of 1.26 million units were sold during the month, representing a rise of 56,000. Germany was the biggest market in the region with total new car registrations of just over 326,000 units.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
According to the latest Jato figures, new car sales on the continent rose by 4.7 per cent year-on-year compared to an increase of just 2 per cent in the UK.
A total of 1.26 million units were sold during the month, representing a rise of 56,000. Germany was the biggest market in the region with total new car registrations of just over 326,000 units.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
BMW and PSA extend engine agreement
The BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen have agreed to extend their cooperation in the development of four cylinder petrol engines.
The car makers will now develop a new family of engines designed to provide enhanced power and torque while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Should the study prove successful the companies confirmed they would enter into a joint development project.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
The car makers will now develop a new family of engines designed to provide enhanced power and torque while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Should the study prove successful the companies confirmed they would enter into a joint development project.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
VW rapped over low emissions claim
Volkswagen has been rapped by the Advertising Standards Authority for misleading claims in an advert that state its Golf TSI model has low emissions.
The car is in the fifth most polluting band of vehicles out of seven but VW claimed that the advert was meant to highlight that the car had low emissions in comparison to competitor cars with a similar power output.
The ASA ruled that consumers were likely to understand the claim "low emissions" to mean the car had low emissions when compared to all cars and stated that the advert should not appear again in its current form.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
The car is in the fifth most polluting band of vehicles out of seven but VW claimed that the advert was meant to highlight that the car had low emissions in comparison to competitor cars with a similar power output.
The ASA ruled that consumers were likely to understand the claim "low emissions" to mean the car had low emissions when compared to all cars and stated that the advert should not appear again in its current form.
DATED: 20.12.06
FEED: MT
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Dealers hit by showroom standards demands
Excessive demands on showroom standards are forcing a third of car dealers to consider breaking out of unprofitable partnerships with manufacturers.
The National Franchised Dealers Association’s Standards Survey found that one in four dealers had cut the size of their workforces due to high investment requirements while 8 per cent had terminated a franchise and a further 8 per cent sold a dealership.
“Dealers are required to spend phenomenal sums on implementing standards that do not deliver profit back,” said Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA.
DATED: 19.12.06
FEED: MT
The National Franchised Dealers Association’s Standards Survey found that one in four dealers had cut the size of their workforces due to high investment requirements while 8 per cent had terminated a franchise and a further 8 per cent sold a dealership.
“Dealers are required to spend phenomenal sums on implementing standards that do not deliver profit back,” said Sue Robinson, director of the NFDA.
DATED: 19.12.06
FEED: MT
MG Rover fund leaves £50m untouched
Up to £50m of government aid set aside to help MG Rover workers who lost their jobs following the collapse of the car maker has remained untouched.
Official estimates show that the impact of the collapse, one of the biggest corporate failures in British history, failed to affect workers and supply chains as much as was initially feared.
The government confirmed it had set aside £175.6m to deal with the crisis but the amount that is budgeted to be spent is just £126.5m.
DATED: 19.12.06
FEED: MT
Official estimates show that the impact of the collapse, one of the biggest corporate failures in British history, failed to affect workers and supply chains as much as was initially feared.
The government confirmed it had set aside £175.6m to deal with the crisis but the amount that is budgeted to be spent is just £126.5m.
DATED: 19.12.06
FEED: MT
Monday, December 18, 2006
BEN to adopt new look in New Year
THE MOTOR trade charity, BEN, will have a different appearance in the New Year.
It is introducing a new look to replace the current cartoon elephant logo and will also be known as the Automotive Industry Charity.
The new corporate image was unveiled at last week's BEN Ball at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
It is introducing a new look to replace the current cartoon elephant logo and will also be known as the Automotive Industry Charity.
The new corporate image was unveiled at last week's BEN Ball at the Grosvenor Hotel in London.
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
Trial date set for car importers
TWO former directors of a Carlisle car import firm are to go on trial, next June, accused of fraudulent trading.
Paul Carter and Karen Lister, directors of Euroswift IT Ltd, were charged with running the business with intent to defraud its creditors.
Carter had previously pleaded not guilty. Lister, who faces the same charge, was not in court because she is ill, but she is also expected to plead not guilty.
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
Paul Carter and Karen Lister, directors of Euroswift IT Ltd, were charged with running the business with intent to defraud its creditors.
Carter had previously pleaded not guilty. Lister, who faces the same charge, was not in court because she is ill, but she is also expected to plead not guilty.
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
Renault-Nissan change training providers
THE RENAULT Nissan group is switching its UK training provider.
Valley Forge (UK) Limited will be taking-over from Carter & Carter in the new year to deliver technical training to adult and apprentice learners from four of the car-makers' current training centre network.
Renault will operate regional technical training from its recently opened centre in Doncaster in addition to Glasgow, Wolsey Park (Hertfordshire) and a new facility in the South West, with apprentice training available at all centres except Wolsey Park.
Nissan will offer technical training alongside its Alliance partner from Wolsey Park near Watford and apprentice training at Doncaster.
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
Valley Forge (UK) Limited will be taking-over from Carter & Carter in the new year to deliver technical training to adult and apprentice learners from four of the car-makers' current training centre network.
Renault will operate regional technical training from its recently opened centre in Doncaster in addition to Glasgow, Wolsey Park (Hertfordshire) and a new facility in the South West, with apprentice training available at all centres except Wolsey Park.
Nissan will offer technical training alongside its Alliance partner from Wolsey Park near Watford and apprentice training at Doncaster.
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
Inchcape to weed-out EMH's unwanted brands
INCHCAPE, which offered £263m for smaller rival European Motor Holdings on Friday, will be looking for more acquisitions of the right brands in the right regions, said the company.
The group's main target is the luxury car market, the fastest growing sector in the industry, said Chief executive Andre Lacroix.
"The EMH deal increases our share of the UK premium market from 5.4% to 8.4% and there are plenty of future opportunities."
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
The group's main target is the luxury car market, the fastest growing sector in the industry, said Chief executive Andre Lacroix.
"The EMH deal increases our share of the UK premium market from 5.4% to 8.4% and there are plenty of future opportunities."
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
MOTORPOINT Supermarket
MOTORPOINT Supermarket says it is enjoying a significant increase in commercial vehicle sales due to the choice and value which it is able to offer to business customers, compared to that of the mainstream franchise dealer network
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
DATED: 18.12.06
FEED: AW
