Friday, November 16, 2007

European sales rise


AN UPTURN in the major markets drove a 5.5 per cent rise in new car sales across Europe last month.

Acea, the European carmakers’ association, said an extra working day in October in the whole region compared to the same month in 2006 also contributed to the increase to 1.32 million units.

DATED: 16.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:19 pm

Citroen launches new green scheme


Citroen has launched a new programme through its dealer network offering customers a ‘Stay Green’ health check.
The check aims to minimise the environmental impact of Citroen cars through a series of tests which ensure emissions levels and fuel consumption are kept to minimum.

Owners of all types of Citroen cars and vans, regardless of their vehicle’s age, are also offered advice on how to reduce the carbon footprint of their Citroens.

DATED: 16.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:18 pm

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Penalty points set to double for speeding drivers

MOTORISTS face being banned from driving for only two speeding offences under a Government plan to double the fixed penalty for exceeding the limit by a wide margin.The idea of graduated speeding penalties, which was first promoted in the draft Road Safety Bill in 2004, has been under discussion ever since.Initially, the Government plan was that motorists caught speeding fractionally above a speed limit would receive two points on their licence and a £40 fine; while those signficantly above a speed limit would be penalised with six points and a £100 fine - meaning a potential ban after two offences.Now, with the Government planning to launch a public consultation before Christmas, it appears that the two-point proposal has been dropped with ministers focusing on excessive speeding.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:31 pm

Speeding has become an acceptable offence

SPEEDING causes three times as many accidents as drink-driving but has become socially acceptable, according to the RAC, with 51% of the UK’s drivers admitting to driving above speed limits.With just one sixth (16%) of motorists having been convicted of speeding in the last five years, the figures from the RAC’s 2007 Report on Motoring highlight a gap between the high numbers of drivers speeding and the low numbers of motorists convicted.Consequently a fifth of the nation’s drivers believe they won’t get caught if they commit motoring offences. One in seven even say that the benefits of breaking minor driving laws far outweigh the risks of getting caught. But nearly a quarter (23%) of motorists say they would bend driving laws less frequently if there was more chance of getting caught.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:31 pm

Drivers face £60 fine for smoking behind the wheel

MOTORISTS who smoke while at the wheel are to be targeted for the first time by police as a potential threat to safety on the roads.Bernard Lawson, acting deputy chief constable of Merseyside Police, has told his officers that they will be expected ‘to be on the look-out’ for smoking motorists.Those caught could face an on-the-spot £60 penalty or prosecution either for driving without due care and attention or for failing to control their vehicles.The announcement comes after the inclusion of smoking in the recently published updated edition of the Highway Code as a potential hazard to safe driving.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:30 pm

Uninsured drivers could have cars seized

DRIVERS who let their car insurance lapse could face having their vehicles seized from outside their homes under plans being drawn up by ministers.Powers due to come into force from April 2009 will make it possible for vehicles to be confiscated as soon as their insurance lapses unless their owners take them off the road.This could lead to several hundred thousand cars being confiscated.It is intended that the Motor Insurers’ Database will be cross-checked with information held by the DVLA to identify motorists who may have let their insurance lapse and not taken their cars off the road. Drivers could face a £100 fine, which, if not paid, will result in their car being seized.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:30 pm

UK MG franchise network expands

MORE than 100 dealers throughout the UK have expressed interest to become an MG franchise dealer, with more than 40 having signed letters of intent, according to NAC MG (UK).The company says it has continued to see a high level of demand by retailers wishing to sell the new MG TF LE 500 sportscar. Many of the dealers are said to already boast extensive knowledge of the brand, gained over many years as part of the former MG Rover network, whilst applications have also been received from dealers currently retailing a broad portfolio of brands.

DATED: 15.11.07

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:29 pm

Company car tax-busting prices for all-new Mazda6

COMPANY car drivers will get a Christmas and New Year present with the promise of huge cuts in benefit-in-kind tax bills with the December 26 launch of the all-new Mazda6. Massively reduced carbon dioxide emissions and significantly improved specification are among the highlights of the new 16-model Mazda6 saloon, hatchback and estate range. Coupled with the fact that the new Mazda6 is larger than the model that put the brand on the fleet map, the company expects the new car to spearhead an increased focus on Mazda from fleet buyers.Company car drivers could cut their benefit-in-kind tax bills by around £20 a month, depending on the model they choose.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:28 pm

Volkswagen sells out of Polo Bluemotion

VOLKSWAGEN UK has sold out of its Polo Bluemotion allocation for 2007, according to Rod Mcleod, the company’s marketing chief.He said that since going on sale in October, all 300 Polo Bluemotions assigned to the UK for the final three months of the year had been sold. The Polo Bluemotion is the cleanest ‘conventional’ car on sale in Britain, and emitting 99 g/km of CO2, it’s exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty. Bluemotion is the name given by Volkswagen to denote the cleanest and most efficient cars in its range.

DATED: 15.11.07

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:27 pm

Car boss slams petty politicians over green taxes

THE Government is in danger of taxing Jaguar and Land Rover out of existence, according to one car industry chief.Jim O’Donnell, managing director of BMW UK, says that plans to tax expensive cars would seriously threaten the future of the British car industry and ignored the technology that such vehicles introduce.He said: ‘Such cars are not just large, they are often technology leaders. Expensive new safety and efficiency measures tend to find their way first on the larger, luxury vehicles. ’ABS, catalytic converters, air bags, navigation systems and many more all started on high end models. We welcome the approach to a well thought out and balanced approach free from political dogma and I believe our political leaders need to give more than a nano-second’s consideration to the positive characteristics of top end cars.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:26 pm

New bidder joins battle for Jaguar and Land Rover

AMERICAN private equity company Apollo is said to have joined the race to buy up-for-sale Ford Motor Company brands Jaguar and Land Rover.It is believed that the group has teamed up with Indian manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra. They join a race, which includes rival Indian manufacturer Tata and two other US private equity groups, One Equity and TPG.Bidders will this week make presentations to John Hutton, Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise, and to union leaders.City sources say the race for the two iconic brands is too close to call, although some believe the final tussle will be between the two Indian manufacturers.

DATED: 15.11.07

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:26 pm

Volkswagen Commercials sets sales record

INTERNATIONALLY, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles set a new sales record of 356,000 vehicles in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 11.4% compared to 319,650 vehicles sold in the same period in 2006. This has increased total turnover by 12.1% to €6.6 billion. Stephan Schaller, chief executive of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles said: ‘Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is on the fast track to a record year. The strong demand in the summer months delivered additional volume rather than purchases that have been brought forward. We stay optimistic for the rest of the year.’

DATED: 15.11.07

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# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:25 pm

Road safety experts call for driver training

AUTOMOTIVE engineering specialists MIRA have launched a new initiative to provide expert training to professional drivers of modern and often powerful cars. The proliferation of the latest electronic driver aids has left a growing number of drivers unfamiliar with their car’s dynamic characteristics when taken to the limit, says the organisation.As a result, tell tale signs of a vehicle transitioning to ‘limit handling’ can be missed by drivers. Once the electronic control systems cut in and act to restore directional control, vehicles can also exhibit behaviour that is uncharacteristic to untrained drivers.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:24 pm

IAM Fleet helps BT to cut fleet costs by 40%

BT has slashed its fleet costs and vehicle collision rates by 40% following a five-year partnership with IAM Fleet.Since 2002, IAM Fleet has been assisting BT with its company-wide scheme to reduce occupational road risk. BT runs the largest single vehicle fleet in Europe and has been employing Virtual Fleet Risk Manager (VFRM) in order to assess its drivers at the rate of 10,000 per annum. To date 50,000 BT drivers have completed the online programme.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:23 pm

Lexus supplies 300 cars to Helphire

MORE than 300 Lexus cars have been added to the 19,000-strong vehicle fleet of Bath-based Helphire, which works with leading insurers to provide replacement vehicles for blameless victims of accidents until their own cars can be repaired or, in the case of a write-off, a cheque is received. The company says its purchase of 338 Lexus IS 250 and a number of GS saloons reflects the popularity of the marque in the UK. Rupert Llewellyn, managing director, Helphire Fleet Services, said: ‘The decision was customer-driven, because we always provide like-for-like replacement and, wherever possible, will also replace cars on a marque-for-marque basis. We also have confidence in the quality of the product and in Lexus’ residual values and wholelife costs relative to market segment.’

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:23 pm

Renault launches new small business initiative

RENAULT is changing the way it approaches sub-100 vehile fleets by merging its small business and Renault Credit teams to form a new 20-person outfit.The new set-up, known internally as the area manager business sales team, will be responsible for developing and managing the company’s business centre network at its dealerships. Every 10 or so dealers will have a dedicated HQ-based team member. Renault fleet chief Keith Hawes explained: ‘We’ve merged the two teams to support the dealer network so every dealer will have the resources and tools in place to approach small businesses. The area manager, business sales will have the skills to talk about finance, contract hire and HP, as well as databasing

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: HC

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:22 pm

UK roads the worst in Europe


THE government must plough money into improving the road network rather than investing in public transport and congestion charge schemes to ease the gridlock on the UK’s roads.
The UK motorway network was branded the worst in Europe last week.

Road File 2007/08, published by the Road Users’ Alliance, revealed that Britain has more cars per motorway mile than any other in the 25-strong European Union.
Britain’s roads are listed in the report as being on par with those in Lithuania, Slovakia and Hungary.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:21 pm

Chevrolet to launch new models


GM has confirmed that the Chevrolet Beat concept, as endorsed by 1.9 million online voters, is to be the basis of the next Chevrolet city car.
The new model is due for launch in 2010.

Speaking at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper said: “The people have spoken.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:20 pm

Kia moves to fill 30 open points


Kia is planning to fill 30 open points within the next three years as it moves to significantly increase its UK retail volumes.
“Based on customer travel times of 30-35 minutes we have 30 points in the UK where we don't have any dealers,” said Kia's sales director Yaser Shabsogh.

“Most of them are in key urban areas. We started the year with just one dealer within the M25 but should finish with three and we're looking for another three next year,” he said.

DATED: 15.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 2:19 pm

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Porsche profits raise eyebrows


Porsche earns three times as much money from its investments as it does from selling cars, according to the Financial Times.
The report prompted accusations that the company is conducting business more as a hedge fund than a carmaker.

Porsche said that €3.6bn (£2.5bn) of its €5.8bn pre-tax profit in the year to July was from share options.
Without the profit made from revaluing its stake in Volkswagen and its share in VW's profits, the German luxury carmaker made €1.05bn from the car manufacturing section of its business.
It appears this trend may continue, if speculation that Porsche plans to increase its stake in VW is correct.
Porsche denied it was acting as a hedge fund.

DATED: 14.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:38 pm

Chase for Land Rover and Jaguar hots up


Mahindra & Mahindra has teamed up with American buyout firm Apollo in its battle to win the bidding war for Ford marques Land Rover and Jaguar.
Mahindra & Mahindra is thought to be one of three remaining bidders, along with fellow Indian carmaker Tata Motors and OneEquity Partners, a buyout firm funded by U.S. investment bank JP Morgan.

This week, bidders will make presentations to Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise John Hutton and to union leaders.
While reports have said the race for the two marques is currently too close to call, there is speculation that it will come down to the two Indian companies.

DATED: 14.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:37 pm

Ford to hang on to Volvo


Ford has said it will not be selling Volvo, at least for the time being.
Despite putting its Land Rover and Jaguar marques on the market, Ford seems to want to hang onto the Swedish brand in order to keep a foot in the premium sector.

The carmaker has reported an unspecified financial loss for Volvo, and has said it hopes to improve its productivity and cost structure.

DATED: 14.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:36 pm

Uninsured vehicle crack-down


Record numbers of uninsured vehicles are being seized and crushed, according to statistics released at the Association of British Insurers’ annual motor conference today.
Automatic plate recognition technology used by police has led to the seizure of over 100,000 uninsured vehicles so far this year.

This figure is up from 2006, when 78,000 uninsured drivers were caught.

DATED: 14.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:36 pm

Kia mini SUV due for UK in 2009


The new model, which has not yet been officially named, is based on the Soul concept car which was first seen at last year's Detroit Motor Show. The production car will make its European debut at the Paris Motor Show next September and will reach UK dealerships by February 2009.
The B-segment car was designed at the brand's Californian design studio but will not feature the concept model's rear suicide doors.
The brand has also announced the launch of a new mid-size Borrego SUV which will debut at the Detroit Motor Show in January. The seven-seater will go on sale in mid-2008 in left hand drive markets but the brand has yet to decide whether it will receive a UK launch.

DATED: 14.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:35 pm

Dealer groups enjoy October shares revival


Pendragon was among the big UK dealer groups to see its share values bounce back last month.
According to market commentary from Philip Wylie, of Houlihan Lokey Corporate Finance, Pendragon's shares rose in value by 17 per cent in October, in sharp contrast to the heavy falls they suffered earlier in the year.
Pendragon, the leading dealer group in Motor Trader's Top 200, has endured a tough period since taking over the Reg Vardy operation in February 2006.

Lookers posted October's biggest share gains, up 35 per cent, after paying £53m for Dutton Foreshaw, some £8m less than the expected asking price.

DATED: 14.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:34 pm

Ford Focus gets a face-lift


Ford will charge from £11,945 for its heavily revised Focus models. Like-for-like replacements will cost £250 more.
On sale from next January, the face-lifted Focus hatches, saloons and estates take over from a model which has consistently been the UK’s top seller since 1999.

The Focus has been given a re-styled front end to bring it into line with the look of the latest Mondeo and forthcoming Fiesta replacement, due next year, but the model has also been given a round of sub-structure and specification upgrades to keep it attractive in a highly competitive market segment.
An all-new Focus is likely in 2010, and it will appear in a similar time frame to the next VW Golf and Vauxhall Astra.

DATED: 14.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 1:32 pm

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Midlands cheapest for used superminis


Sales of used superminis are rocketing across the UK but prices vary considerably across regions.
Prices in the Midlands are the cheapest, according to new research by EurotaxGlass’s.
Average asking prices for B-segment models, which are becoming more popular as buyers seek more economical cars, vary by as much as 10 per cent across the UK.
EurotaxGlass’s determined that asking prices for small three year old cars in the Midlands averaged £5,500.
This was £350 less than in the south west, where asking prices were the highest.

DATED: 13.11.07

FEED: MT

# posted by Profit Training Ltd : 8:26 am

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