Friday, January 12, 2007
Electric car production unit planned for Wales
CWMBRAN, Wales is to be the site of a new venture to make electric cars and vans.
Stevens Vehicles Ltd has been awarded a £170,000 from the Welsh Assembly and will set-up a production unit on Cwmbran's Forgehammer Industrial Estate.
Director, Peter Stevens, from London, (not the former design director of MG Rover) who has experience in vehicle manufacturing, says he will be developing the capacity of the plant to manufacture and market a range of small cars and vans.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Stevens Vehicles Ltd has been awarded a £170,000 from the Welsh Assembly and will set-up a production unit on Cwmbran's Forgehammer Industrial Estate.
Director, Peter Stevens, from London, (not the former design director of MG Rover) who has experience in vehicle manufacturing, says he will be developing the capacity of the plant to manufacture and market a range of small cars and vans.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Nissan appoints Douglas as fleet director
JAMES DOUGLAS (41) national corporate sales manager with Nissan UK, has been appointed fleet sales director.
He replaces the departing Dave Murfitt who has moved to Nissan Europe in France.
"Obviously I am delighted to be given this opportunity to head the team, especially at this exciting time with vehicles like the Navara, Note, X-Trail and soon-to-be launched Qashqai in February,"
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
He replaces the departing Dave Murfitt who has moved to Nissan Europe in France.
"Obviously I am delighted to be given this opportunity to head the team, especially at this exciting time with vehicles like the Navara, Note, X-Trail and soon-to-be launched Qashqai in February,"
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Kerridge
THE KERRIDGE name has been dropped from ADP Kerridge, 1-year after ADP acquired Kerridge Commercial Systems.
It is now known as ADP Commercial Systems . New website address is adpdsi.com
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
It is now known as ADP Commercial Systems . New website address is adpdsi.com
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Interest Rate Announcements
Interest Rate Announcements
11 January 2007
Bank of England Raises Bank Rate by 0.25 Percentage Points to 5.25%
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: BoE
11 January 2007
Bank of England Raises Bank Rate by 0.25 Percentage Points to 5.25%
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: BoE
More new car competition online from finance group
AIM-LISTED Private & Commercial Finance Group Plc ('PCFG'), has joined with the Car Corporation to launch an online showroom.
With new cars sourced from UK dealers by the Car Corporation, the site claims to offer UK spec cars at prices lower than franchised dealers.
Tony Nelson, PCFG's chief executive, said the reason the car prices are so attractive is that we have developed the site in order to build our portfolio of finance customers rather than to make a mark-up on the metal.
Part-exchanges are accepted and the site aims to deliver the new cars within 7-days.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
With new cars sourced from UK dealers by the Car Corporation, the site claims to offer UK spec cars at prices lower than franchised dealers.
Tony Nelson, PCFG's chief executive, said the reason the car prices are so attractive is that we have developed the site in order to build our portfolio of finance customers rather than to make a mark-up on the metal.
Part-exchanges are accepted and the site aims to deliver the new cars within 7-days.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Toyota plans big launch for new Auris
TEMPORARY STORES in shopping centres, large interactive posters and info pods will all feature in Toyota's launch programme for the new Auris.
The model goes on UK sale on February 1 with prices starting from £11,995.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
The model goes on UK sale on February 1 with prices starting from £11,995.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
The end of Bernhard at VW
HEAD OF the VW brand, Dr Wolfgang Bernhard, will leave the German car-maker by the end of this month.
He is leaving by mutual agreement following a management reshuffle, the company said today.
New VW chief executive, Martin Winterkorn, will take over the management of the Volkswagen brand group in addition to his present duties.
Mr Winterkorn emphasised that Dr. Bernhard had 'furthered the process of restructuring of the company and hence increased the productivity of the Volkswagen brand'.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
He is leaving by mutual agreement following a management reshuffle, the company said today.
New VW chief executive, Martin Winterkorn, will take over the management of the Volkswagen brand group in addition to his present duties.
Mr Winterkorn emphasised that Dr. Bernhard had 'furthered the process of restructuring of the company and hence increased the productivity of the Volkswagen brand'.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Warrant issued for Munroe arrest
FORMER DIRECTOR of Automotive Skills, James Munroe, failed to report to Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court this week and a warrant for his arrest was issued immediately.
He was due to attend the court for a management hearing of his case of 22 counts of theft and fraud against Automotive Skills.
Mr Munroe denies all charges.
The case had previously been adjourned.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
He was due to attend the court for a management hearing of his case of 22 counts of theft and fraud against Automotive Skills.
Mr Munroe denies all charges.
The case had previously been adjourned.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Audi joins Motability
AUDI HAS joined the Motability scheme bringing the total number of manufacturers represented on the scheme to 33.
"The introduction of Audi means that the scheme now offers all car choices from all of the mainstream car manufacturers and gives our customers the best ever selection," said Mike Betts, chief executive of Motability Operations.
Two models mark the introduction of Audi to the Motability Scheme, the A3 and the A4. Advance payments start from £3,104 for the A3.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
"The introduction of Audi means that the scheme now offers all car choices from all of the mainstream car manufacturers and gives our customers the best ever selection," said Mike Betts, chief executive of Motability Operations.
Two models mark the introduction of Audi to the Motability Scheme, the A3 and the A4. Advance payments start from £3,104 for the A3.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Benfield signs up Kia
Benfield Motor Group, the north eastern-based car retailer, has added the Kia franchise to its portfolio.
A six-car showroom has been built in the east of Newcastle, which will sit alongside the group’s Nissan and Skoda dealerships.
Ian Jarvis, brand manager for the new Kia dealership said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the Kia range to the north of the Tyne.”
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: MT
A six-car showroom has been built in the east of Newcastle, which will sit alongside the group’s Nissan and Skoda dealerships.
Ian Jarvis, brand manager for the new Kia dealership said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the Kia range to the north of the Tyne.”
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: MT
Consumer debt presents finance opportunity for dealers
The UK’s rising consumer debt problem could present dealers with a major opportunity to boost finance sales.
According to Carlyle Finance chief executive Mark Standish, increased over indebtedness should make secured lending in the showroom look far more appealing to car buyers.
“Dealer finance is not immune to the wider rise in bad debt levels but because most point of sale funding is secured on the car, acceptance levels will remain high,” he said.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: MT
According to Carlyle Finance chief executive Mark Standish, increased over indebtedness should make secured lending in the showroom look far more appealing to car buyers.
“Dealer finance is not immune to the wider rise in bad debt levels but because most point of sale funding is secured on the car, acceptance levels will remain high,” he said.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: MT
Sportscar retailer found hanged CAR RACING enthusiast.
Adrian Rush (32), co-founder of Legends Sportscars in Bourton-on-the-Water, Glos, has been found hanged.
He was discovered at the business on New Year's Day
The business was created 6-years ago by Mr rush and Melvin Glanz.
The company prepares and sells sports, competition and collectors' cars.
The funeral will take place on January 17 at The Parish Church of St. Lawrence, Bourton on the Water, (2pm).
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
He was discovered at the business on New Year's Day
The business was created 6-years ago by Mr rush and Melvin Glanz.
The company prepares and sells sports, competition and collectors' cars.
The funeral will take place on January 17 at The Parish Church of St. Lawrence, Bourton on the Water, (2pm).
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Union launches new petition against Peugeot
THE FINAL curtain came down at Peugeot's Ryton plant in Coventry, yesterday, although a skeleton staff remains on site.
They will spend the next 3-months removing machinery and making the site safe.
The Amicus Union immediately launched a petition accusing the car-maker of betraying the workforce.
The last cars at Ryton were produced on December 12.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
They will spend the next 3-months removing machinery and making the site safe.
The Amicus Union immediately launched a petition accusing the car-maker of betraying the workforce.
The last cars at Ryton were produced on December 12.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
No major cost reduction plans for Jaguar
No major cost reduction plans for Jaguar HEAD OF Ford Europe, Lewis Booth, says there are no major cost-reduction plans for Jaguar.
But he warned that currency concerns and rising commodity costs will continue to cloud profit hopes for the British car-maker.
"Currency remains a major concern. That's not going to go away easily," Booth said.
The British pound - which is valued significantly higher than the U.S. dollar - makes the company's heavy reliance on exports to the US, a business challenge.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
But he warned that currency concerns and rising commodity costs will continue to cloud profit hopes for the British car-maker.
"Currency remains a major concern. That's not going to go away easily," Booth said.
The British pound - which is valued significantly higher than the U.S. dollar - makes the company's heavy reliance on exports to the US, a business challenge.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Hanif Automotive buys 'Dan, Dan the Nissan man'
WEST LONDON Nissan, part of Hanif Automotive, has acquired the Eastcote/Ruislip, Slough and High Wycombe businesses of Dan Perkins.
The amount paid is not being disclosed.
The three outlets will continue to operate under the Dan Perkins name.
Dan Perkins' senior management team has resigned as part of the acquisition, but there are to be no staff redundancies.
Hanif Automotive said it will be making significant investments in staff training and development in the short to medium term.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
The amount paid is not being disclosed.
The three outlets will continue to operate under the Dan Perkins name.
Dan Perkins' senior management team has resigned as part of the acquisition, but there are to be no staff redundancies.
Hanif Automotive said it will be making significant investments in staff training and development in the short to medium term.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: AW
Largest Lexus site set to open doors
The UK’s largest Lexus dealership is due to open this month at Hedge End, near Southampton.
The site also features a new Toyota dealership – Kings Toyota.Once the project is complete, more than £8m will have been spent on the 3.5-acre site which will feature what Lexus claims is the largest Lexus pre-owned indoor car showroom in Europe, displaying more than £500,000 worth of pre-owned Lexus cars together with comprehensive sales and service facilities.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: MT
The site also features a new Toyota dealership – Kings Toyota.Once the project is complete, more than £8m will have been spent on the 3.5-acre site which will feature what Lexus claims is the largest Lexus pre-owned indoor car showroom in Europe, displaying more than £500,000 worth of pre-owned Lexus cars together with comprehensive sales and service facilities.
DATED: 12.01.07
FEED: MT
