Friday, May 25, 2007
Sir Peter Vardy pleads hardship in speeding case
SIR PETER Vardy pleaded 'exceptional hardship' in Tynedale Magistrate's Court this week.
He was appearing on a speeding charge to which he pleaded guilty. But since he already had 12 points on his licence from previous speeding offences, a driving ban would cause hardship as he travels the country supporting his new investment company and his education activities.
Vardy could afford to hire a driver, but the timing of his journeys would make this difficult, the court was told by Sir Peter's solicitor, Philip Robson.
The former motor retailer was charged with travelling at 45 mph in a 30 limit on the A69 at Haydon Bridge.
Magistrates were not convinced, and Vardy - not for the first time -was banned from driving for a year. He was fined £300, and ordered to pay £30 costs.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
He was appearing on a speeding charge to which he pleaded guilty. But since he already had 12 points on his licence from previous speeding offences, a driving ban would cause hardship as he travels the country supporting his new investment company and his education activities.
Vardy could afford to hire a driver, but the timing of his journeys would make this difficult, the court was told by Sir Peter's solicitor, Philip Robson.
The former motor retailer was charged with travelling at 45 mph in a 30 limit on the A69 at Haydon Bridge.
Magistrates were not convinced, and Vardy - not for the first time -was banned from driving for a year. He was fined £300, and ordered to pay £30 costs.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
Citroen chooses Experian
CITROEN UK has chosen Experian's Car Data Check and Vehicle Mileage Check as its preferred supplier of vehicle provenance services to dealers.
Citroën sells over 60,000 used cars a year.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
Citroën sells over 60,000 used cars a year.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
Honda - euro is a decision for the British people
KEN KIER, managing director of Honda UK Manufacturing, has sought to diffuse remarks by his president , Takeo Fukuri.
Yesterday, the Japanese president seemed to threaten no more investment in Swindon until Britain joins the euro.
Mr Kier, who is also senior vice president of Honda Motor Europe, said Honda's fundamental strategy has been to manufacture products where the demand is. "This very practice has been carried out for our operations here in Europe.
"In terms of business efficiency, we think a single currency would allow us to run our business in a more efficient way".
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
Yesterday, the Japanese president seemed to threaten no more investment in Swindon until Britain joins the euro.
Mr Kier, who is also senior vice president of Honda Motor Europe, said Honda's fundamental strategy has been to manufacture products where the demand is. "This very practice has been carried out for our operations here in Europe.
"In terms of business efficiency, we think a single currency would allow us to run our business in a more efficient way".
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
Profitable Caffyns still battles MG Rover collapse
SOUTH COAST retailer, Caffyns, which suffered greatly with the MG Rover collapse, is still battling back.
This morning it reported pre-tax profits of £1.44m for the year to the end of March against £1.03m in 2006.
It said it had now completed the first stage of its recovery plan following the collapse of MG Rover in 2005.
"We are now making good progress along our recovery path as we enter the second year of our programme to return to historic profitability," said chief executive, Simon Caffyn.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
This morning it reported pre-tax profits of £1.44m for the year to the end of March against £1.03m in 2006.
It said it had now completed the first stage of its recovery plan following the collapse of MG Rover in 2005.
"We are now making good progress along our recovery path as we enter the second year of our programme to return to historic profitability," said chief executive, Simon Caffyn.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
RAA agrees massive Manheim deal
The Retail Automotive Alliance has announced a new-two year deal with Manheim to remarket nearly 60,000 cars in the period to the end of 2008, which will see in excess of 10 bespoke sales held each week around the country.
Part-exchanges from retail activity generated by the RAA's 165 dealerships will be offered at Manheim centres nationwide.
In addition, a new initiative of “ready to retail” sales, including over-age stock and higher value part-exchanges, will be staged at Manheim Coventry and Rotherham.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
Part-exchanges from retail activity generated by the RAA's 165 dealerships will be offered at Manheim centres nationwide.
In addition, a new initiative of “ready to retail” sales, including over-age stock and higher value part-exchanges, will be staged at Manheim Coventry and Rotherham.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
HR Owen in double birthday celebration
Attendees at the recent HR Owen annual general meeting were treated to a double birthday celebration, with the group turning 75 and its Jack Barclay subsidiary reaching is eightieth anniversary.
No detailed financial performance figures were publicly released, but in a chairman's statement its first quarter trading was said to have gone 'very well'.
Performance was helped by last year's disposals of a tranche of mainstream marque dealers, and the business concentrating on specialising in luxury and exotic brands.
However, the AGM coincided with the departure of David Jaggar, HR Owen's finance director, who leaves after fifteen years and is replaced by Mike Warren, currently the group's financial controller.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
No detailed financial performance figures were publicly released, but in a chairman's statement its first quarter trading was said to have gone 'very well'.
Performance was helped by last year's disposals of a tranche of mainstream marque dealers, and the business concentrating on specialising in luxury and exotic brands.
However, the AGM coincided with the departure of David Jaggar, HR Owen's finance director, who leaves after fifteen years and is replaced by Mike Warren, currently the group's financial controller.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
Nissan Qashqai gets best ever safety rating
Euro NCAP has rated the Nissan Qashqai as the highest ever scoring car for adult occupant protection.
The C-segment crossover model received almost maximum points in Euro NCAP's front, side impact and pole crash tests as well as a high score in the child occupant protection rating.
Euro NCAP's secretary general Adrian Hobbs said: “This is a particularly impressive result for this manufacturer since the Qashqai is a new vehicle in this category. Nissan's last entry into the small family class was in 2001.”
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
The C-segment crossover model received almost maximum points in Euro NCAP's front, side impact and pole crash tests as well as a high score in the child occupant protection rating.
Euro NCAP's secretary general Adrian Hobbs said: “This is a particularly impressive result for this manufacturer since the Qashqai is a new vehicle in this category. Nissan's last entry into the small family class was in 2001.”
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
RMIF in accidental £1.3m pay out
The RMIF could by out of pocket to the tune of £1.3m after accidentally paying two months wages into the account of almost 400 ex-employees.
According to vehicle assessor Mike Mansell, he is one of 390 ex-ReMIT staff the RMI mistakenly paid eight weeks salary in April, despite selling its training operation to Carter and Carter in August 2006.
According to Mansell, it has since asked for the money back within seven days and some former employees have received letters from a debt collection agency.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
According to vehicle assessor Mike Mansell, he is one of 390 ex-ReMIT staff the RMI mistakenly paid eight weeks salary in April, despite selling its training operation to Carter and Carter in August 2006.
According to Mansell, it has since asked for the money back within seven days and some former employees have received letters from a debt collection agency.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: MT
2-year old dealer wins Skoda award
SIMPSONS SKODA, Yarmouth, has won the car-maker's Retailer of the Year 2006 Silver Award for outstanding performance.
The dealership has held the franchise for only two years.
"To take the award in such a short time is beyond our highest expectations," said managing director, Andrew Aldis.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
The dealership has held the franchise for only two years.
"To take the award in such a short time is beyond our highest expectations," said managing director, Andrew Aldis.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
Fiat putting 50m euros into customer care
FIAT IS planning to buy its way into Europe's top three car-makers for customer care.
It is investing 50m euros in the distribution network, training new staff for its Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands.
The Lancia brand, in particular, is to introduce VIP service, providing free cover for 2-years including returning cars to owner's homes.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
It is investing 50m euros in the distribution network, training new staff for its Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands.
The Lancia brand, in particular, is to introduce VIP service, providing free cover for 2-years including returning cars to owner's homes.
DATED: 25.05.07
FEED: AW
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
PSA to cut jobs and costs and boost sales
PSA PEUGEOT Citroen is to cut 4,800 jobs, voluntarily, in France this year and is looking for a 30% reduction in overheads by 2010.
Shareholders attending the group's AGM today, were told that product and service quality must be upgraded to the standard of the best-ranked competitors. Among the action plans being implemented are a new design process; working with suppliers; sharing best practices between Peugeot and Citroën; and reorganising and pooling customer service processes. The objective is to cut incident count and warranty costs in half by 2010.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
Shareholders attending the group's AGM today, were told that product and service quality must be upgraded to the standard of the best-ranked competitors. Among the action plans being implemented are a new design process; working with suppliers; sharing best practices between Peugeot and Citroën; and reorganising and pooling customer service processes. The objective is to cut incident count and warranty costs in half by 2010.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
Qashqai earns 5 NCAP stars
THE BRITISH-built Qashqai has been awarded the maximum 5-star rating for adult occupant protection from the European New Car Assessment Programme.
It was awarded 36.83 points out of a maximum 37 points by the independent crash test organisation.
It also received 45-stars for child protection. Currently no vehicle in the small family category has received the maximum five.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
It was awarded 36.83 points out of a maximum 37 points by the independent crash test organisation.
It also received 45-stars for child protection. Currently no vehicle in the small family category has received the maximum five.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
'Zero Guilt' ad leaves Lexus guilty
LEXUS' PRESS advert for the RX400h hybrid SUV claiming that it had 'low emissions' broke advertising rules says the Advertising Standards Authority.
The headline stated: "High Performance. Low Emissions. Zero Guilt."
But ten complainants believed the 'low emissions' claims misleadingly implied the car caused little or no harm to the environment and gave a misleading impression of the car's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in comparison with other vehicles. They argued that the "192g/km" emissions figure was high when compared to the emissions of all cars.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
The headline stated: "High Performance. Low Emissions. Zero Guilt."
But ten complainants believed the 'low emissions' claims misleadingly implied the car caused little or no harm to the environment and gave a misleading impression of the car's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in comparison with other vehicles. They argued that the "192g/km" emissions figure was high when compared to the emissions of all cars.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
No check on profits for Experian
EXPERIAN recorded a 16% rise in operating profit on Wednesday in its first full-year results since it was spun out of conglomerate GUS and listed last October,.
It said earnings before interest and tax for continuing activities - which excludes businesses sold, closed or identified for closure - and excluding the effects of exchange rate fluctuations, came in at $808m.
The group reported growth in its core U.S. and UK consumer credit checking and risk analysis activities, and its Interactive division, which includes online credit reports and monitoring services.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
It said earnings before interest and tax for continuing activities - which excludes businesses sold, closed or identified for closure - and excluding the effects of exchange rate fluctuations, came in at $808m.
The group reported growth in its core U.S. and UK consumer credit checking and risk analysis activities, and its Interactive division, which includes online credit reports and monitoring services.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
Clarkson rapped for 'ginger beer' remark on Copen
TOP GEAR presenter, Jeremy Clarkson, has got Ofcom, the media watchdog, in a fizz for describing the 2-seater Daihatsu Copen as 'ginger beer'.
The use of the cockney rhyming slang for 'queer' could offend homosexuals and should not have been used, said Ofcom.
The phrase was used during a discussion with the studio audience in a programme last July.
An audience member described the car as "gay" and Clarkson replied: "A bit gay, yes. Very ginger beer".
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
The use of the cockney rhyming slang for 'queer' could offend homosexuals and should not have been used, said Ofcom.
The phrase was used during a discussion with the studio audience in a programme last July.
An audience member described the car as "gay" and Clarkson replied: "A bit gay, yes. Very ginger beer".
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
Inchcape divesting to avoid Competition Commission
INCHCAPE AND the OFT have done a deal over competition issues surrounding Inchcape's acquisition of European Motor holdings last December.
The OFT was concerned about competition concerns in relation to the provision of servicing and repairs for new and nearly new Volkswagen cars in the area around Wrexham and Oswestry.
Inchcape has agreed to divest itself in these areas in return for which the OFT will not refer the take-over to the Competition Commission.
"The loss of EMH as a competitor could have led to higher repair and servicing charges for the owners of new and nearly-new VWs in the area," said Simon Pritchard, director of mergers. "We are content that the divestment offered by Inchcape will, when implemented, address our competition concerns.'"
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
The OFT was concerned about competition concerns in relation to the provision of servicing and repairs for new and nearly new Volkswagen cars in the area around Wrexham and Oswestry.
Inchcape has agreed to divest itself in these areas in return for which the OFT will not refer the take-over to the Competition Commission.
"The loss of EMH as a competitor could have led to higher repair and servicing charges for the owners of new and nearly-new VWs in the area," said Simon Pritchard, director of mergers. "We are content that the divestment offered by Inchcape will, when implemented, address our competition concerns.'"
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
NIGEL STEAD of Lloyds TSB Autolease
NIGEL STEAD of Lloyds TSB Autolease, has been appointed chairman of the BVRLA succeeding John Leigh at the end of the normal 2-year period of office. Peter Cakebread of Marshall Leasing, has been appointed chairman of the leasing committee, Brice Adamson of Enterprise Rent a Car becomes chairman of the daily rental committee and David Farbon of Fraikin was appointed chairman of the commercial vehicle rental and leasing committee.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
Inchcape buys into Lithuanian retailer
INCHCAPE is buying 67% stake in its third-party Mazda retailer in Lithuania.
It is paying up to £13m cash for the stake in UAB Vitvela, saying it is in line with its strategy to expand into the emerging markets, especially the Baltic states.
The acquisition will give Inchcape close to 20% market share in the Lithuanian car market.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
It is paying up to £13m cash for the stake in UAB Vitvela, saying it is in line with its strategy to expand into the emerging markets, especially the Baltic states.
The acquisition will give Inchcape close to 20% market share in the Lithuanian car market.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
No plant closures at PSA Peugeot Citroen
NEW PSA Peugeot Citroen boss, Christian Streiff, faces the car-maker's AGM tomorrow and is likely to reveal details of the firm's turnaround plan.
Streiff, the former Airbus chief took over at the car-making group last November and shortly afterwards gave executives 100-days to hatch plans for a profit-revival.
That deadline expired at the weekend.
DATED: 2305.07
FEED: AW
Streiff, the former Airbus chief took over at the car-making group last November and shortly afterwards gave executives 100-days to hatch plans for a profit-revival.
That deadline expired at the weekend.
DATED: 2305.07
FEED: AW
Macgowan to leave the SMMT
AFTER 9-years leading the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, Christopher Macgowan is leaving the Society at the end of the year.
His decision to step down on 31 December was announced at an SMMT board meeting this morning.
"It will be business as usual for the next seven months and I intend to leave at the top of my game," commented Macgowan.
"It has been a privilege working for the industry in this crucial role and I have enjoyed every moment of my nine years with the Society.
"However, the fact is I have reached a point in my life where I want to do a number of different things, not just one full-on job. Being chief executive of the SMMT is arguably the best job in the industry, but it is also all-consuming. So come 1 January 2008, I am going plural."
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
His decision to step down on 31 December was announced at an SMMT board meeting this morning.
"It will be business as usual for the next seven months and I intend to leave at the top of my game," commented Macgowan.
"It has been a privilege working for the industry in this crucial role and I have enjoyed every moment of my nine years with the Society.
"However, the fact is I have reached a point in my life where I want to do a number of different things, not just one full-on job. Being chief executive of the SMMT is arguably the best job in the industry, but it is also all-consuming. So come 1 January 2008, I am going plural."
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
MG-saviour receives extended bank loan
STATE-RUN China Exim Bank, has extended a $260m loan to MG-saviour, Nanjing Auto.
Nanjing will use the funds to shore-up foreign investment, import key technology and export its cars.
Recent press reports in China have speculated that Shanghai Automotive Industries Group - which bought the rights to MG Rover Group's 75 and Rover 25 in 2005 - could possibly buy-out Nanjing.
DATED: 2305.07
FEED: AW
Nanjing will use the funds to shore-up foreign investment, import key technology and export its cars.
Recent press reports in China have speculated that Shanghai Automotive Industries Group - which bought the rights to MG Rover Group's 75 and Rover 25 in 2005 - could possibly buy-out Nanjing.
DATED: 2305.07
FEED: AW
Vauxhall on tack for VXR fans
VAUXHALL HAS arranged a series of track days for fans of the VXR8 and the Corsa VXR.
For a one-off payment of £95, enthusiasts can book a place at one of four tracks, where they'll get the chance to participate in 90-minutes of on-track action with fully qualified instructors.
Drivers will also learn a few tricks of the trade from a stunt driver, including how to 'park' a car much faster than normal using the handbrake.
If they decide to buy a Vauxhall, the £95 will be refunded against the purchase price of their new car, providing they order it before the end of this year.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
For a one-off payment of £95, enthusiasts can book a place at one of four tracks, where they'll get the chance to participate in 90-minutes of on-track action with fully qualified instructors.
Drivers will also learn a few tricks of the trade from a stunt driver, including how to 'park' a car much faster than normal using the handbrake.
If they decide to buy a Vauxhall, the £95 will be refunded against the purchase price of their new car, providing they order it before the end of this year.
DATED: 23.05.07
FEED: AW
