Thursday, April 05, 2007
Interest Rate Announcements
Interest Rate Announcements
Bank of England Maintains Bank Rate at 5.25%
To see the latest interest rate decision News Release, please follow the link below:
Bank of England Maintains Bank Rate at 5.25%
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Bank of England Maintains Bank Rate at 5.25%
To see the latest interest rate decision News Release, please follow the link below:
Bank of England Maintains Bank Rate at 5.25%
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Nissan, Perodua and Kia roll-out the offers
NISSAN HAS reduced the price of its entire Micra range by up to £1,500.
This is not a temporary offer, says the company as the entry level Initia comes down from £8,995 to £7,495.
Spirita is reduced by £1,200 and now starts from £8,795 OTR (3 door, 1.2 engine, manual)
Sport is reduced by £750 and now starts from £9,895 OTR (3 door, 1.2 engine, manual)
Sport SR is reduced by £300 and now starts from £10,695 OTR (3 door, 1.6 engine, manual)
Active Luxury is reduced by £300 and now starts from £10,695 OTR (3 door 1.4 engine, manual)
All equipment levels on all grades remain untouched.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
This is not a temporary offer, says the company as the entry level Initia comes down from £8,995 to £7,495.
Spirita is reduced by £1,200 and now starts from £8,795 OTR (3 door, 1.2 engine, manual)
Sport is reduced by £750 and now starts from £9,895 OTR (3 door, 1.2 engine, manual)
Sport SR is reduced by £300 and now starts from £10,695 OTR (3 door, 1.6 engine, manual)
Active Luxury is reduced by £300 and now starts from £10,695 OTR (3 door 1.4 engine, manual)
All equipment levels on all grades remain untouched.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Friday 13th set for Aston Martin walk-out
MEMBERS OF the Transport & General Workers Union at Aston Martin factories in Gaydon and Newport Pagnell will stage a 1-hr walk-out on April 13.
From that date a ban will be placed on all overtime working.
The protest is over pay.
Ford, owner of Aston Martin, is finalising the sale of the luxury car-maker to a consortium which is made-up of two investment firms in Kuwait and David Richards, boss of Prodrive.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
From that date a ban will be placed on all overtime working.
The protest is over pay.
Ford, owner of Aston Martin, is finalising the sale of the luxury car-maker to a consortium which is made-up of two investment firms in Kuwait and David Richards, boss of Prodrive.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Fraudulent trading case adjourned
THE CASE of fraudulent trading against two former directors of Carlisle car import firm, Euroswift, has been adjourned until May 4.
Karen Lister (35) entered a not guilty plea last week to a charge of fraudulently trading between February 28, 2003, and Sept 28 of the same year, with intent to defraud the company's creditors or any other persons.
She is jointly charged with Paul Carter (43) who entered a not guilty plea during an earlier court hearing.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Karen Lister (35) entered a not guilty plea last week to a charge of fraudulently trading between February 28, 2003, and Sept 28 of the same year, with intent to defraud the company's creditors or any other persons.
She is jointly charged with Paul Carter (43) who entered a not guilty plea during an earlier court hearing.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
March registrations rise 3.1%
MARCH saw a 3.1% rise in new car registrations in the UK.
A total of 449,287 units were registered.
"Growth in diesel and supermini cars shows that fuel efficiency and greener motoring are now critical concerns for buyers," said SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
A total of 449,287 units were registered.
"Growth in diesel and supermini cars shows that fuel efficiency and greener motoring are now critical concerns for buyers," said SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
York car trader ordered to quit site
THE OWNERS of a used car site in York, called Red Pyramid, have been ordered to stop trading.
Lorna and Mario Marchi who run the car lot, as well as a car wash business called Completely Lathered, on the site of their York Riding School, did not acquire change of use of the land.
An inspector has dismissed an appeal by the couple and upheld a local council enforcement action taken against them in 2005.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Lorna and Mario Marchi who run the car lot, as well as a car wash business called Completely Lathered, on the site of their York Riding School, did not acquire change of use of the land.
An inspector has dismissed an appeal by the couple and upheld a local council enforcement action taken against them in 2005.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Budget Logan gets closer to UK introduction
RIGHT-HAND drive versions of Renault's budget car, the Logan, are now in production in India, fuelling speculation that the UK could soon be importing the brand.
"We're looking at the UK and studying the business case," said Renault product chief Patrick Pélata, as the first RHD versions rolled-out of the Mahindra Renault plant in Mumbai, India, this week.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
"We're looking at the UK and studying the business case," said Renault product chief Patrick Pélata, as the first RHD versions rolled-out of the Mahindra Renault plant in Mumbai, India, this week.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Details expected on Chrysler sell-off
DAIMLER CHRYSLER is holding discussions on a potential sale of its Chrysler company.
"We are talking with some of the potential partners who have shown a clear interest," said chief executive, Dieter Zetsche.
When Daimler Chrysler holds its annual general meeting Mr Zetsche is expected to reveal more detail.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
"We are talking with some of the potential partners who have shown a clear interest," said chief executive, Dieter Zetsche.
When Daimler Chrysler holds its annual general meeting Mr Zetsche is expected to reveal more detail.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
March Mini sales reach a record
MINI SALES in the UK in March reached the highest number since it went on sale in July 2001.
Preliminary figures indicate 7,854 sales in March. The previous record month was in March 2006 with 7,687 sales.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Preliminary figures indicate 7,854 sales in March. The previous record month was in March 2006 with 7,687 sales.
DATED: 05.04.07
FEED: AW
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Peoples' profits soar by 137%
FORD DEALER Group, Peoples, saw profits soar 137% from £507,000 to £1.2million in the year to July 2006.
Turnover fell to £143m as it scaled-back on sales of high value but low margin vehicles.
The group own three dealerships in Scotland - at Livingston, Edinburgh and Falkirk as well as other outlets in Bootle, Prescott and Speke on Merseyside.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Turnover fell to £143m as it scaled-back on sales of high value but low margin vehicles.
The group own three dealerships in Scotland - at Livingston, Edinburgh and Falkirk as well as other outlets in Bootle, Prescott and Speke on Merseyside.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Honda UK to lose second marketing chief
HONDA UK is to lose its second marketing director in less than a year.
Jeff Dodds, who replaced Simon Thompson, last year, is now leaving to join golf retailer, Callaway as European marketing director.
Simon Thompson left Honda last year to become European marketing director for Motorola. He is now leaving Motorola to join lastminute.com as group head of marketing.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Jeff Dodds, who replaced Simon Thompson, last year, is now leaving to join golf retailer, Callaway as European marketing director.
Simon Thompson left Honda last year to become European marketing director for Motorola. He is now leaving Motorola to join lastminute.com as group head of marketing.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
DTI to investigate Smolenski's TVR re-purchase
THE DTI has referred Nikolai Smolenski's re-purchase of the TVR business out of administration to the department's Companies Investigation Branch.
The decision, by the DTI minister Jim Fitzpatrick, was welcomed by the Transport and General Workers Union. The union has pressed for an inquiry into what happened at the Blackpool firm especially after Mr. Smolenski seemed to have divested responsibility to Blackpool Automotive which was then very quickly placed into administration.
"This is a good decision by the DTI," said Peter Booth, T&G national organiser for manufacturing. "It is the first step in delivering justice for our members but there is a long way to go in the process."
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
The decision, by the DTI minister Jim Fitzpatrick, was welcomed by the Transport and General Workers Union. The union has pressed for an inquiry into what happened at the Blackpool firm especially after Mr. Smolenski seemed to have divested responsibility to Blackpool Automotive which was then very quickly placed into administration.
"This is a good decision by the DTI," said Peter Booth, T&G national organiser for manufacturing. "It is the first step in delivering justice for our members but there is a long way to go in the process."
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Doors locked at Welsh supermarket group
The Cars4U supermarket group is believed to be in trouble.
Branches in Treforest, Caerphilly (Autosave) and Cardiff were on Friday. A simple notice announcing 'Closed until further notice' had been placed on the outlets.
Doors were locked and staff claimed they had been told nothing.
Managing director, Franco Gallo, was a director of Ken Thorne Car Sales which went into receivership nearly five years ago. Cars4U is believed to have employed 50 people since opening in 2002.
It failed to file accounts with Companies House on March 7.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Branches in Treforest, Caerphilly (Autosave) and Cardiff were on Friday. A simple notice announcing 'Closed until further notice' had been placed on the outlets.
Doors were locked and staff claimed they had been told nothing.
Managing director, Franco Gallo, was a director of Ken Thorne Car Sales which went into receivership nearly five years ago. Cars4U is believed to have employed 50 people since opening in 2002.
It failed to file accounts with Companies House on March 7.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Aston Martin union members vote to strike
THE NEW owners of Aston Martin have a possible strike on their hands.
Members of the Transport and General Workers Union at the Gaydon, UK plant, voted in favour of strike action on Friday. They rejected a 2-year pay deal worth up to 6.75%.
A total of 70% voted in favour of strike action and 76% voted in favour of action short of a strike. A total of 518 of the union's 656 voted.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Members of the Transport and General Workers Union at the Gaydon, UK plant, voted in favour of strike action on Friday. They rejected a 2-year pay deal worth up to 6.75%.
A total of 70% voted in favour of strike action and 76% voted in favour of action short of a strike. A total of 518 of the union's 656 voted.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
71% of new car retailing now in hands of Groups
DEALER GROUPS now control over 71% of the UK's new car sales points.
According to Sewell's Franchised Networks report, there has also been a further fall in the number of franchise outlets to 5,490. This is the lowest since the first annual study in 1976.
And nearly one-quarter of the country's franchise outlets are in the hands of the 'top twenty' groups.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
According to Sewell's Franchised Networks report, there has also been a further fall in the number of franchise outlets to 5,490. This is the lowest since the first annual study in 1976.
And nearly one-quarter of the country's franchise outlets are in the hands of the 'top twenty' groups.
DATED: 03.04.07
FEED: AW
Monday, April 02, 2007
Inchcape Launches Training Scheme
Inchcape has launched its own training scheme for staff as part of its focus to improve aftersales and customer service.
The new programme aims to arm staff with new skills and strategies to enhance its aftersales customer care levels.
A pilot course has already been trialled across five of Inchcape Retail's dealerships with workshops for managers and service advisors.
Workshop topics included using internal and external communications more effectively, improving personal effectiveness and connecting with all types of personalities.
DATED: 02.04.07
FEED: MT
The new programme aims to arm staff with new skills and strategies to enhance its aftersales customer care levels.
A pilot course has already been trialled across five of Inchcape Retail's dealerships with workshops for managers and service advisors.
Workshop topics included using internal and external communications more effectively, improving personal effectiveness and connecting with all types of personalities.
DATED: 02.04.07
FEED: MT
FSA Regulations Being Ignored
Nearly three-quarters of customers are not told about the Financial Services Authority regulations governing finance sales when they buy a new car.
Buyers are not fully informed
A study by FSA Automotive claimed 72 per cent of customers had no recollection of sales staff mentioning FSA procedures when they bought a car from the group – which did not wish to be named.
FSA Automotive’s technical director Tony Hodder said: “More surprising was that only customers who had signed demands and needs statements were contacted.
“I am sure the dealers in question thought they could prove compliance but this practice is not treating customers fairly, which is one of the FSA's biggest priorities for motor retailers.”
DATED: 02.04.07
FEED: MT
Buyers are not fully informed
A study by FSA Automotive claimed 72 per cent of customers had no recollection of sales staff mentioning FSA procedures when they bought a car from the group – which did not wish to be named.
FSA Automotive’s technical director Tony Hodder said: “More surprising was that only customers who had signed demands and needs statements were contacted.
“I am sure the dealers in question thought they could prove compliance but this practice is not treating customers fairly, which is one of the FSA's biggest priorities for motor retailers.”
DATED: 02.04.07
FEED: MT
AA Warranty Targets Dealers
AA Warranty, the new joint venture between the organisation’s insurance division and Motorway Direct, is targeting a number of dealer groups as it looks to expand its UK coverage.
The company launched last December after Motorway Direct ended its long term agreement to run the RAC's warranty business.
DATED: 02.04.07
FEED: MT
The company launched last December after Motorway Direct ended its long term agreement to run the RAC's warranty business.
DATED: 02.04.07
FEED: MT
Sunday, April 01, 2007
GM Europe boss fears strength of euro
GM EUROPE president, Carl-Peter Forster, yesterday called for political action to tackle the damage being done to the car industry by the overvalued euro.
He said the disadvantage which European car manufacturers were suffering, because of the high value of the euro against Far East currencies such as the yen and the Korean won, had been underestimated by governments within the eurozone.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
He said the disadvantage which European car manufacturers were suffering, because of the high value of the euro against Far East currencies such as the yen and the Korean won, had been underestimated by governments within the eurozone.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
LDV carries-off Ssangyong man for fleet position
STEVE WALKER (44), regional sales manager at Ssangyong UK, has been appointed fleet sales manager at LDV vans.
The US native had previously worked at Kia, Mazda and Honda.
"The challenge for the sales team is to build the LDV brand across the UK," said Walker. "My aim is to maintain the current fleet customer base, re-establish old customers and search out new ones. The addition of so many new products will only add to the good news I can share with customers.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
The US native had previously worked at Kia, Mazda and Honda.
"The challenge for the sales team is to build the LDV brand across the UK," said Walker. "My aim is to maintain the current fleet customer base, re-establish old customers and search out new ones. The addition of so many new products will only add to the good news I can share with customers.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
VW man joins Citroen UK as aftersales director
STUART HODGE, head of aftersales at Volkswagen UK, is joining Citroen UK.
He is appointed as aftersales director and is replacing José Antonio Lopez who is re-joining Citroen, Spain.
Hodge takes-up the new position with Citroen on Monday.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
He is appointed as aftersales director and is replacing José Antonio Lopez who is re-joining Citroen, Spain.
Hodge takes-up the new position with Citroen on Monday.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
Volvo names its 19 Business Centres
VOLVO CARS is pushing further ahead with its assault on the corporate market and says it now has 19 selected Volvo Business Centres.
With a dedicated business sales manager and administrator at each Centre, fleet customers will be given expert advice and support, including guidance on the various available finance options available and tailoring product choices to best suit their business needs. In addition to supporting national operators, it is expected that the Volvo Business Centres will also focus on developing local relations with SMEs.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
With a dedicated business sales manager and administrator at each Centre, fleet customers will be given expert advice and support, including guidance on the various available finance options available and tailoring product choices to best suit their business needs. In addition to supporting national operators, it is expected that the Volvo Business Centres will also focus on developing local relations with SMEs.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
Oz developer buys Browns' Lane from Jaguar
An Australian developer has bought luxury car maker Jaguar's AUSTRALIAN DEVELOPER, Macquarie Goodman, has bought 100 -acres of Jaguar's Browns Lane site in Coventry, for an undisclosed sum.
It will turn the site into an office and warehouse park.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
It will turn the site into an office and warehouse park.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
Sytner moving Bentley from Manchester to Knutsford
THE SYTNER Group is re-locating its Manchester Bentley dealership from Old Trafford to the affluent Cheshire town of Knutsford.
But the new outlet, being built on the Parkgate Business Park on Mobberley Road, Knutsford, at a cost of £5m will retain its Manchester name when it opens in December.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
But the new outlet, being built on the Parkgate Business Park on Mobberley Road, Knutsford, at a cost of £5m will retain its Manchester name when it opens in December.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
Peter Vardy buys Vauxhall outlet from Pendragon
PETER VARDY Ltd has acquired its second dealership.
Ironically, the company created by Sir Peter Vardy's son, last June, has bought the Reg Vardy Vauxhall operation in Motherwell from Pendragon.
Chief executive, Peter Vardy said that Vauxhall had approached him to take-over the outlet, based on his success with his first dealership, Perth Vauxhall, which he acquired 10-months ago.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
Ironically, the company created by Sir Peter Vardy's son, last June, has bought the Reg Vardy Vauxhall operation in Motherwell from Pendragon.
Chief executive, Peter Vardy said that Vauxhall had approached him to take-over the outlet, based on his success with his first dealership, Perth Vauxhall, which he acquired 10-months ago.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
Subaru voted UK's best franchise opportunity
SUBARU UK has been voted the 'Best Automotive Franchise Opportunity 2007' by the Institute of Transport Management.
The Coleshill-based importer has been singled out as the leader in helping dealers raise their profiles and further enhance service standards.
The awards committee spent 18-months studying the performance of nominated franchises and concluded that Subaru was Number One for customer service, vehicle range, aftersales solutions and overall professionalism. .
Patrick Sheedy of the Institute, said it believed Subaru to be the best franchise opportunity.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
The Coleshill-based importer has been singled out as the leader in helping dealers raise their profiles and further enhance service standards.
The awards committee spent 18-months studying the performance of nominated franchises and concluded that Subaru was Number One for customer service, vehicle range, aftersales solutions and overall professionalism. .
Patrick Sheedy of the Institute, said it believed Subaru to be the best franchise opportunity.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
More un-destroyed V5C documents turn up
THE MARCH plate change has led to the detection of more fraudulent registration documents used on stolen vehicles sold to innocent motorists.
Hundreds of blank V5C registration documents, stolen from the DVLA Swansea, have been turning-up on cars bought during the March change-over.
The DVLA issued a warning in February when an initial batch went missing after they had been sent from the centre for destruction.
Now, the warning has been repeated as more turned up in March, often for luxury and prestige models.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
Hundreds of blank V5C registration documents, stolen from the DVLA Swansea, have been turning-up on cars bought during the March change-over.
The DVLA issued a warning in February when an initial batch went missing after they had been sent from the centre for destruction.
Now, the warning has been repeated as more turned up in March, often for luxury and prestige models.
DATED: 01.04.07
FEED: AW
