Friday, January 04, 2008
New C-Class gets top safety rating
The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class has been named as one of the safest cars on the market.
The new saloon has been awarded five stars in the latest Euro NCAP crash tests and includes several innovative safety features.
Mercedes-Benz said it had designed the C-Class to ensure that, in the event of a frontal collision, the impact would be distributed over a wide area and on four independently acting impact levels, meaning that the passenger cell remained largely unscathed.
It also features ESP, an anticipatory occupant protection system called Pre-Safe, and a brake assist system.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: MT
Car buyers baffled by industry jargon
Motorists today are increasingly baffled by the technical jargon and terminology used to describe modern day vehicles, according to a new survey.
The study conducted with over 2,500 drivers by used car website motors.co.uk showed that many car owners are ignorant of technical terms, despite frequent usage of them by car salesmen and motoring magazines.
Almost half of those polled said they were unsure what ESP (electronic stability programme) stood for; a third drew a blank when presented with ABS (anti-lock braking system); and a quarter were clueless when it came to BHP (brake horse power).
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: MT
BMW predicts robust 2008 car market
Almost a fifth of the UK’s population plans on acquiring a new or used car this year despite ongoing fears over the impact of the global credit crunch.
Of that figure, 44 per cent of people are confident that the potential financial squeeze will not affect their choice of car or level of spending.
According to research by BMW Financial Services, women anticipate that the credit crunch will have the biggest bearing on them – 42 per cent expect a knock-on effect on their car purchase compared to just 31 per cent of men.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: MT
Strong start for Vertu
Vertu Motors praised its workforce for delivering a strong set of initial results.
Founded in November 2006, the group, which floated on the Alternative Investment Market in December, began trading under the Bristol Street name when it bought its 35 outlets for £40m in March 2007.
In its debut interim results – covering the period from 27 March to 31 August – Vertu reported like-for-like growth in new volumes in the Bristol Street dealerships of 8.4 per cent and used sales growth of 12.4 per cent.
Chief executive Robert Forrester, who formerly headed up Reg Vardy before Pendragon bought it in 2006, said: “The staff are crucial. We could not achieve our objectives without a first class team.”
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: MT
Pendragon sells sites for £10m
Pendragon sold three sites for £10 million at the end of last month.
The sites are located in Preston, Mansfield and Stockport and represent the Ford, Fiat and Saab franchises.
The Nottingham-based firm announced its latest sale-and leaseback deal after warning last month of a £12m profits shortfall for 2007 due to falling prices in the new car market.
Pendragon, which operates the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone brands, also lowered profits forecasts for 2008 by £18m in the "uncertain economic outlook" and added that its view of the market was unchanged.
The latest move in the dealership's programme of disposals will see it gain £6m on the sale - bringing profits on property sales to £15.3m this year. Pendragon also expects to gain proceeds of around £34m from other sites currently under offer.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
The sites are located in Preston, Mansfield and Stockport and represent the Ford, Fiat and Saab franchises.
The Nottingham-based firm announced its latest sale-and leaseback deal after warning last month of a £12m profits shortfall for 2007 due to falling prices in the new car market.
Pendragon, which operates the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone brands, also lowered profits forecasts for 2008 by £18m in the "uncertain economic outlook" and added that its view of the market was unchanged.
The latest move in the dealership's programme of disposals will see it gain £6m on the sale - bringing profits on property sales to £15.3m this year. Pendragon also expects to gain proceeds of around £34m from other sites currently under offer.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
Five-year Daihatsu warranty
Daihatsu has launched a five-year unlimited mileage warranty for its Terios mini-SUV and Sirion five-door supermini.
The deal includes five years’ UK roadside recovery.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
The deal includes five years’ UK roadside recovery.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
Fiat Professional raising van profile
Author: Tim Rose
This year’s relaunch of Fiat’s light commercial vehicle operations as Fiat Professional has been a key step to building its UK business.
Gerry Clarke, director of Fiat Professional UK, said the new emphasis on the brand’s vans and service provision is bringing it within reach of more customers.
“Historically we’ve been seen as an add-on to the car business. But as we get to 500,000 sales worldwide we’re becoming a proposition in our own right. We want Fiat Professional status to focus sales within a brand dedicated to people who use commercial vehicles.”
Standards have been revised to make dealers more competitive, and the Fiat Academy has relaunched a dedicated Fiat Professional training programme. Clarke wants to ensure the network provides the professional service which business customers require, such as keeping some workshops open until midnight.
In the UK there are 175 Fiat dealers selling vans. These include 76 with Fiat Professional status, focused on the light commercial market and with a large stock holding of Fiat vans. They work to strict standards regarding the display of new and used vehicles, with workshops specialised in maintenance and repairs, and qualified sales personnel with specific training. Of those, 29 are also truck dealers with Iveco, part of Fiat Group.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
This year’s relaunch of Fiat’s light commercial vehicle operations as Fiat Professional has been a key step to building its UK business.
Gerry Clarke, director of Fiat Professional UK, said the new emphasis on the brand’s vans and service provision is bringing it within reach of more customers.
“Historically we’ve been seen as an add-on to the car business. But as we get to 500,000 sales worldwide we’re becoming a proposition in our own right. We want Fiat Professional status to focus sales within a brand dedicated to people who use commercial vehicles.”
Standards have been revised to make dealers more competitive, and the Fiat Academy has relaunched a dedicated Fiat Professional training programme. Clarke wants to ensure the network provides the professional service which business customers require, such as keeping some workshops open until midnight.
In the UK there are 175 Fiat dealers selling vans. These include 76 with Fiat Professional status, focused on the light commercial market and with a large stock holding of Fiat vans. They work to strict standards regarding the display of new and used vehicles, with workshops specialised in maintenance and repairs, and qualified sales personnel with specific training. Of those, 29 are also truck dealers with Iveco, part of Fiat Group.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
NAC and SAIC officially merge
Nanging Automobile Corporation (NAC) has been successfully merged into SAIC, bringing Rover under one ownership.
SAIC owns the design rights to the Rover 25 and 75 models and NAC owns Longbridge and MG. However the Rover name still belongs to Ford.
The two Chinese state owned companies announced their intentions to join forces five months ago. Hu Maoyuan, chairman of SAIC and Wang Haoliang, chairman of Yuejin signed a cooperation agreement in Beijing.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
SAIC owns the design rights to the Rover 25 and 75 models and NAC owns Longbridge and MG. However the Rover name still belongs to Ford.
The two Chinese state owned companies announced their intentions to join forces five months ago. Hu Maoyuan, chairman of SAIC and Wang Haoliang, chairman of Yuejin signed a cooperation agreement in Beijing.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
SsangYong UK goes into administration
Koelliker UK has been appointed UK importer and distributor for SsangYong. The company has acquired certain assets from SsangYong UK Ltd which went into administration in December.
Paul Williams has been appointed managing director of Koelliker UK Ltd. He joins the Italian-owned company from Landwind Europe where, for the past year, he has been establishing the infrastructure and operations ready for the launch of the Chinese make in Europe.
Koelliker UK (KUK) is part of Gruppo Koelliker SpA, Italy the private automotive business which also handles the importation and distribution of SsangYong in Italy, Austria and Hungary.
Williams will have the task of re-vitalising and re-launching SsangYong which has seen registrations fall by almost 32% last year. In 2006 2,017 SsangYongs were registered, but only 1,299 have been sold to the end of November, 2007 according to the SMMT.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
Paul Williams has been appointed managing director of Koelliker UK Ltd. He joins the Italian-owned company from Landwind Europe where, for the past year, he has been establishing the infrastructure and operations ready for the launch of the Chinese make in Europe.
Koelliker UK (KUK) is part of Gruppo Koelliker SpA, Italy the private automotive business which also handles the importation and distribution of SsangYong in Italy, Austria and Hungary.
Williams will have the task of re-vitalising and re-launching SsangYong which has seen registrations fall by almost 32% last year. In 2006 2,017 SsangYongs were registered, but only 1,299 have been sold to the end of November, 2007 according to the SMMT.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
South African dealer buys UK sites
The head of a South African Mercedes-Benz dealer group has bought his first cluster of UK dealerships and is on the lookout for more business opportunities.
Roy McAllister, chief executive of Sandown Motors, a 19-dealership group based in Johannesburg, has personally bought three Mercedes dealerships and one Smart dealership from Jacksons Bournemouth Limited. The sites are in Poole, Salisbury and Dorchester.
As a personal venture for McAllister, the Jacksons business will not be linked to Sandown Motors.
AM understands that Tom Scott, previously head of Jacksons, has broken up the business as he plans to retire. The group’s Jersey and Guernsey operation is now under the ownership of Paul Collier.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
Roy McAllister, chief executive of Sandown Motors, a 19-dealership group based in Johannesburg, has personally bought three Mercedes dealerships and one Smart dealership from Jacksons Bournemouth Limited. The sites are in Poole, Salisbury and Dorchester.
As a personal venture for McAllister, the Jacksons business will not be linked to Sandown Motors.
AM understands that Tom Scott, previously head of Jacksons, has broken up the business as he plans to retire. The group’s Jersey and Guernsey operation is now under the ownership of Paul Collier.
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
LDV chief exec resigns
Steve Young has resigned as chief executive and director of LDV, which is owned by Russian manufacturer GAZ.
Young will now 'pursue other opportunities' in the automotive industry. Eugeny Vereschagin, the chief financial officer of GAZ Power Train Division will take over as director of LDV.
Martin Leach, executive chairman of LDV, will act as interim chief executive while GAZ looks for a replacement.
Leach said: "The business has gone through enormous change over the last 18 months, with new products, new markets and significant improvements across the board in all aspects of performance. Steve provided invaluable leadership in these changes, while building confidence in LDV and the Maxus product as a real alternative to the major players in the light commercial vehicle market."
Young said: "This was not an easy choice for me. I am confident that LDV will continue to develop and satisfy an increasing number of informed customers around the world. I wish both GAZ and LDV well for the future."
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
Young will now 'pursue other opportunities' in the automotive industry. Eugeny Vereschagin, the chief financial officer of GAZ Power Train Division will take over as director of LDV.
Martin Leach, executive chairman of LDV, will act as interim chief executive while GAZ looks for a replacement.
Leach said: "The business has gone through enormous change over the last 18 months, with new products, new markets and significant improvements across the board in all aspects of performance. Steve provided invaluable leadership in these changes, while building confidence in LDV and the Maxus product as a real alternative to the major players in the light commercial vehicle market."
Young said: "This was not an easy choice for me. I am confident that LDV will continue to develop and satisfy an increasing number of informed customers around the world. I wish both GAZ and LDV well for the future."
DATED: 04.01.08
FEED: AM
