Friday, February 01, 2008
Rolls-Royce recruits new marketing chief
Rolls-Royce has appointed a new head of marketing.
Graham Lenden replaces Paul Ferraiolo, who was recently appointed president of the luxury carmaker’s North American operation.
Lenden’s previous position was as head of operations at Aston Martin, where he managed the sales, marketing and aftersales functions for the UK and Asia Pacific regions.
DATED: 01.02.08
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Chrysler and Nissan form small car alliance
Chrysler has dropped any possible alliance with Chinese carmaker Chery, favouring a partnership with more experienced manufacturer Nissan instead.
The US giant and Japanese manufacturer are collaborating on the development of a new supermini based on Nissan’s Versa, which will be sold in South America.
The companies have said the subcompact will be sold under limited distribution in 2009.
DATED: 01.02.08
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Vauxhall Astra dominates fleet car sales
Vauxhall and Ford have dominated the business car sales in one of the UK’s largest fleets.
Lex has revealed that among its fleet of 273,503 vehicles last year, cars from Vauxhall, Ford and VW featured seven times in the top ten.
The Vauxhall Astra was the most popular car, closely followed by the Ford Focus and the Vauxhall Vectra in third.
DATED: 01.02.08
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Women want equality in the motor trade
The vast majority of women believe they are treated differently to men when it comes to researching and buying a car.
According to research by Auto Trader, three quarters of female motorists believe they are treated differently when buying a vehicle and 70 per cent want to be treated the same as men.
The same percentage of women disagree with the stereotype that they don’t know anything about cars and 70 per cent said they did not want to be treated differently to a man when buying a car.
DATED: 01.02.08
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Whytock in charge as Woolley leaves
Mike Whytock, director of Black Horse’s north region, is running the company until a replacement is found for John Woolley who has stepped down after less than two years as managing director, motor and leisure finance.
Woolley, 51 last November, took charge on March 1, 2006, as the latest phase of a long career with Black Horse. He declined to comment on the reasons for his departure, described as “by mutual agreement”. He begins gardening leave on February 1, and leaves at the end of March.
Black Horse, launched in 2000, is the consumer brand of the Lloyds TSB asset finance division, and part of the Lloyds TSB Group. Industry sources understand Lloyds TSB decided a new boss was needed to lead Black Horse at an important time.
Independent finance firms are fighting hard to win back showroom point-of-sale business from supermarkets and other internet lenders.
DATED: 01.02.08
FEED: AM
Woolley, 51 last November, took charge on March 1, 2006, as the latest phase of a long career with Black Horse. He declined to comment on the reasons for his departure, described as “by mutual agreement”. He begins gardening leave on February 1, and leaves at the end of March.
Black Horse, launched in 2000, is the consumer brand of the Lloyds TSB asset finance division, and part of the Lloyds TSB Group. Industry sources understand Lloyds TSB decided a new boss was needed to lead Black Horse at an important time.
Independent finance firms are fighting hard to win back showroom point-of-sale business from supermarkets and other internet lenders.
DATED: 01.02.08
FEED: AM
New car sparks 800 jobs at plant
Almost 800 new jobs are being created at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland, thanks to the success of the firm's new Qashqai model. More than 130,000 of the small 4X4 vehicles have been sold in Europe since their launch in March 2007. By December 2008, the firm wants to make 400 staff permanent, with the remainder on temporary contracts. About 850 Qashqai's roll off the production line every day. An extra night-shift is now being introduced. Trevor Mann, senior vice president for manufacturing and supply chain management, Nissan Europe, said: "Currently on two shifts, we can produce 200,000 Qashqais per year.
DATED: 01.02.08
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DATED: 01.02.08
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'Theft-proof' police car stolen
A high tech, theft-proof £75,000 police car was stolen in Berlin - after officers left it unlocked with the key in the ignition. The special BMW, which features high-tech surveillance equipment and sophisticated electronic locks and immobilisers to make it theft proof, was the pride of the Berlin police force. But it was stolen in the city's Wedding district when two officers jumped out to chase a joy-rider on foot after he had abandoned a stolen car. The criminal got away and when the officers went back they found the expensive BMW gone. The pair are facing disciplinary action. Police chiefs say they have no leads on who may have stolen the car and are still looking for it.
DATED: 01.02.08
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DATED: 01.02.08
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Audi boss calls for emissions review
Jeremy Hicks, director of Audi in the UK, has called for the European Commission’s emissions taxes to be based on fuel use rather than vehicle type.
He said a potential option was for motorists to be taxed “per passenger mile”.
“People should pay for what they emit rather than for what their car can potentially emit,” he said.
DATED: 01.02.08
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Thursday, January 31, 2008
Willis is named as COO for Europe
Kia Motors has made two senior appointments to its top management team in Europe.
Paul Willis, director of Volkswagen UK, has left the brand to become chief operating officer at Kia Motors Europe.
Willis had held his position at Volkswagen since 2000 and prior to joining the brand worked as a senior manager with Ford and Toyota, followed by director level positions with Mazda UK and BMW GB.
DATED: 31.01.08
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Paul Willis, director of Volkswagen UK, has left the brand to become chief operating officer at Kia Motors Europe.
Willis had held his position at Volkswagen since 2000 and prior to joining the brand worked as a senior manager with Ford and Toyota, followed by director level positions with Mazda UK and BMW GB.
DATED: 31.01.08
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Is GM the bestselling car brand in 2007?
Doubt has been cast over General Motor’s position as the world’s largest selling carmaker.
While GM reported a narrow majority of 3,000 units over nearest rival Toyota, Automotive News said GM should not have included sales from subsidiaries in which it holds a minority stake.
GM owns about one third of the SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co, and included sales from this arm, despite Shanghai Automotive Corp’s majority stake in the business.
DATED: 31.01.08
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Carter & Carter seeks to avoid administration
In the face of mounting debts Carter & Carter is holding an extraordinary general meeting next month to ask shareholders to allow it to exceed its current borrowing limits and avoid administration.
The training company, which has an automotive division running apprenticeships for numerous car brands, said its “indebtedness going forward was likely to be higher than the performance of the business was able to support”.
Its debts have increased by £43m in the last 12 months, and now total £129m. The directors forecast this to increase further as extra working capital is needed, and predict it to peak at £175m by the end of July.
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
The training company, which has an automotive division running apprenticeships for numerous car brands, said its “indebtedness going forward was likely to be higher than the performance of the business was able to support”.
Its debts have increased by £43m in the last 12 months, and now total £129m. The directors forecast this to increase further as extra working capital is needed, and predict it to peak at £175m by the end of July.
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
Thomas Hardie adds seven LDV sites
Thomas Hardie Commercials the North West Volvo Truck and Bus franchise has added seven LDV van centres to its portfolio of truck depots.
The new LDV sites are located in Trafford, Stockport, Liverpool, Desside, Preston, Wigan and Middlewich. All of the sites will provide new and used sales.
Around £2.2 million has been invested in the refurbishment of the seven depots as well as the recruitment of specialist LDV technicians, parts specialists and sales managers to ensure the requirements of the regions van users are met.
Thomas Hardie provides customers with a 24 hour seven day a week servicing and repair facility.
Steve Kenyon, Thomas Hardie managing director, said: "Our partnership with LDV is part of our expansion programme positioning Thomas Hardie Commercials as the commercial vehicle experts within the area.
"We feel that LDV's principals match our own high standards of service. We are excited by the manufacturer's ambitions as they expand their product range into new markets. We are looking forward to offering our customers a wider range of vehicle options to meet their business needs."
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
The new LDV sites are located in Trafford, Stockport, Liverpool, Desside, Preston, Wigan and Middlewich. All of the sites will provide new and used sales.
Around £2.2 million has been invested in the refurbishment of the seven depots as well as the recruitment of specialist LDV technicians, parts specialists and sales managers to ensure the requirements of the regions van users are met.
Thomas Hardie provides customers with a 24 hour seven day a week servicing and repair facility.
Steve Kenyon, Thomas Hardie managing director, said: "Our partnership with LDV is part of our expansion programme positioning Thomas Hardie Commercials as the commercial vehicle experts within the area.
"We feel that LDV's principals match our own high standards of service. We are excited by the manufacturer's ambitions as they expand their product range into new markets. We are looking forward to offering our customers a wider range of vehicle options to meet their business needs."
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
Ex-Dutton Forshaw man joins John Grose
Alister Leith will be appointed group managing director of East Anglia group John Grose on April 7. He will replace Mike Kiff who retires on April 25 after six years as MD.
Leith was previously main board director at Dutton Forshaw with responsibility for the group’s seven Dovercourt Ford outlets and the four Mercedes-Benz outlets in Kent.
He already lives in Suffolk, so is ideally placed to take control of the John Grose business. John Grose chairman Ian Twinley, also regional vice- president, Europe, at Group 1 Automotive, described Leith’s appointment as “a terrific find for us”.
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
Leith was previously main board director at Dutton Forshaw with responsibility for the group’s seven Dovercourt Ford outlets and the four Mercedes-Benz outlets in Kent.
He already lives in Suffolk, so is ideally placed to take control of the John Grose business. John Grose chairman Ian Twinley, also regional vice- president, Europe, at Group 1 Automotive, described Leith’s appointment as “a terrific find for us”.
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
Suppliers queue up for Chinese business
IM Group, UK importer of Subaru, Isuzu and Daihatsu, and Koelliker, the Italian company in charge of SsangYong’s UK business, are vying for UK distributorship of Chinese carmakers looking towards Europe.
IM Group has been talking to a number of Chinese manufacturers, thought to include Changfeng Motors and Great Wall, for some time.
Changfeng has already announced plans to enter Europe by setting up a semi-knock-down production facility to become a “global player”.
Li Jianxian, Changfeng Motors chairman, said the company needed to step out of its comfort zone into global competition. He confirmed that Changfeng was looking at launching in Europe as well as North America, perhaps as early as late 2009.
Changfeng has worked with Mitsubishi since 2002 on a version of the Pajero/Shogun for the Chinese market, but is seeking European manufacturers to assemble its cars in Europe.
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
IM Group has been talking to a number of Chinese manufacturers, thought to include Changfeng Motors and Great Wall, for some time.
Changfeng has already announced plans to enter Europe by setting up a semi-knock-down production facility to become a “global player”.
Li Jianxian, Changfeng Motors chairman, said the company needed to step out of its comfort zone into global competition. He confirmed that Changfeng was looking at launching in Europe as well as North America, perhaps as early as late 2009.
Changfeng has worked with Mitsubishi since 2002 on a version of the Pajero/Shogun for the Chinese market, but is seeking European manufacturers to assemble its cars in Europe.
DATED: 31.01.08
FEED: AM
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Car production reaches record export levels
The number of vehicles built in the UK for export reached record levels last year.
Of the 1.54 million cars built in Britain in 2007, 1.19 million were exported.
According to the latest SMMT figures, over 131,000 of the 216,000 commercial vehicles produce in the UK in 2007 were also sold abroad.
Meanwhile, year-on-year vehicle production rose 6.1 per cent to a total of 1.75 million units in 2007.
Commercial vehicle output reached its highest level in a decade as volumes rose by 3.8 per cent.
DATED: 29.01.08
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Of the 1.54 million cars built in Britain in 2007, 1.19 million were exported.
According to the latest SMMT figures, over 131,000 of the 216,000 commercial vehicles produce in the UK in 2007 were also sold abroad.
Meanwhile, year-on-year vehicle production rose 6.1 per cent to a total of 1.75 million units in 2007.
Commercial vehicle output reached its highest level in a decade as volumes rose by 3.8 per cent.
DATED: 29.01.08
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Toyota names its best car dealers
Toyota has announced the winner of its 2007 car dealer awards.
Jemca Toyota has been named as the overall Business Centre of the Year of the carmaker’s 102-strong retail network.
Dealers were judged throughout the year on criteria including customer service, product knowledge, and marketing activities.
Other winners included Benfield Toyota, which took the title of Best Commercial Vehicle Dealer, Pentagon Doncaster, which was presented with the Business Centre Knowledge Award and Pentagon Barnsley, which won the Excellence in Customer Care award.
DATED: 29.01.08
FEED: MT
Green car sales to outstrip guzzlers this year
Green cars will out-sell gas guzzlers for the first time this year, according to industry figures reported in The Times.
Sales of new cars within the highest road tax band fell by 15 per cent in 2007 - the lowest total on record.
In contrast, sales of low-emission cars placed in the lowest tax band jumped by 17 per cent.
DATED: 29.01.08
FEED: MT
Train staff to improve retention, says RMIF
'With staff preferring to grow with their existing company, motor retailers will benefit if they offer training to help staff develop their careers,' said Alec Murray, chairman of the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), commenting on a recent survey into training. According to a new survey from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), 54 per cent of employees would rather improve a current job role, compared to 16 per cent who would rather change jobs to develop their career. 46 per cent said training would make them more motivated, and more likely to stay with the company. Murray continues: 'By offering training, motor sector businesses get a double-win. They will increase the loyalty of their staff, and those staff will gain new abilities which will help the business to grow.' A Government report, published in 2006, found that less than 1per cent of employers would increase training to encourage staff retention or morale, however 68% of employers found that training increased staff retention.
DATED: 29.01.08
FEED: AW
DATED: 29.01.08
FEED: AW
Porsche overjoyed with results
Porsche CEO, Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking has said it will be “difficult to suppress tears of joy” following an expected 14.2% rise in revenue for the first half of the year.
Sales are expected to have generated €3.5 billion (£2.6bn) of revenue and Porsche expects the second-half of the year to increase year-on-year by 18.7% to 46,000 units.
Porsche’s first-half profits will not be announced until March, due to Volkswagen’s figures for the fourth quarter of 2007 not being yet being announced.
Sales of the Porsche Cayenne 4x4 are expected to double in the first half of the year to 20,340 units, though the previous year’s figure of 9,940 units sold was affected by the discontinuation of the first generation Cayenne in November 2006.
Porsche currently holds a 31.5% stake in VW and is expected to increase its shareholding to a majority stake this year.
DATED: 29.01.08
FEED: AM
Sales are expected to have generated €3.5 billion (£2.6bn) of revenue and Porsche expects the second-half of the year to increase year-on-year by 18.7% to 46,000 units.
Porsche’s first-half profits will not be announced until March, due to Volkswagen’s figures for the fourth quarter of 2007 not being yet being announced.
Sales of the Porsche Cayenne 4x4 are expected to double in the first half of the year to 20,340 units, though the previous year’s figure of 9,940 units sold was affected by the discontinuation of the first generation Cayenne in November 2006.
Porsche currently holds a 31.5% stake in VW and is expected to increase its shareholding to a majority stake this year.
DATED: 29.01.08
FEED: AM
Monday, January 28, 2008
Ford remains in the red
Ford remained in the red last year despite cutting its losses compared to 2006.
The Detroit carmaker reported a loss of $2.7bn (£1.3bn) – down from $12.6bn 12 months previously.
The sharp drop in deficit prompted Ford to claim its turnaround plan was on track.
Its global revenue increased $14bn year-on-year to almost $174bn. Ford continued its cost cutting measures last year – particularly in its domestic market of North America where it is set to close 10 plants and cut 40,000 jobs.
Ford posted a pre-tax loss of $1.1bn from its automotive operations for the full-year, down from $5.1bn in 2006.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: MT
Jaguar bosses relaxed about Tata takeover
Jaguar chiefs are “entirely relaxed” about a potential takeover by Indian motor group Tata.
The manufacturer told the Financial Times it believed Tata would not limit Jaguar and Land Rover in their development, should an acquisition of the two brands take place.
Jaguar director of design Ian Callum said the company had shown Tata some of its new model lines and planned product cycle.
Callum said Tata appeared “very respectful” of Jaguar's plans for a return to profitability but stopped short of confirming the Indian carmaker's purchase of the two marques, which has been estimated at $2bn (£1bn).
Ford's chief executive Alan Mulally has indicated an acquisition could be completed by the end of February.
DATED: 21.01.08
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Used car dealers bullish about 2008 market
Used car dealers are positive about their retail prospects in 2008 despite fears of an economic downturn.
Research by CAP found that only around 18 per cent of dealers expect to sell “significantly fewer” used cars this year compared with 2007.
Nearly a quarter of dealers said this year's retail used car market will be little different from last year. Just over a third acknowledged there would be a reduction in sales but said they were not seriously concerned about their retail prospects.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: MT
Group 1 sets sights on 50 UK outlets
American retail business Group 1, which entered the UK last year with the purchase of Chandlers BMW/Mini, considers 50 dealerships to be “a nice size business”.
The company, headed by former Ford of Europe sales and marketing director Earl Hesterberg, is talking to manufacturers in preparation for future acquisitions.
“We have no pre-determined thought on size in the UK but we need to leverage purchasing, best practice and spread management talent,” Hesterberg said.
When pressed, he added: “Fifty dealerships is a nice size business.”
Although Chandlers’ three BMW/Mini dealer-ships are based on the south coast, Hesterberg said growth could come from anywhere in the UK.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: AM
The company, headed by former Ford of Europe sales and marketing director Earl Hesterberg, is talking to manufacturers in preparation for future acquisitions.
“We have no pre-determined thought on size in the UK but we need to leverage purchasing, best practice and spread management talent,” Hesterberg said.
When pressed, he added: “Fifty dealerships is a nice size business.”
Although Chandlers’ three BMW/Mini dealer-ships are based on the south coast, Hesterberg said growth could come from anywhere in the UK.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: AM
Potts and Vauxhall team up in Eden
Graeme Potts, who held senior executive positions at Reg Vardy, the RAC and Inchcape Group, proposes to set up a “better world of motoring” with his new dealer group.
Potts has formed a joint venture with Vauxhall Motors Holding to create Eden GM. It has bought five Vauxhall dealerships from Inchcape Retail for £14.3 million. They have a combined turnover of £75 million.
“Eden is a brand name for a retail group with a focus on creating a better world for my work colleagues and for our customers,” says Potts, a devote Christian.
“I have 238 colleagues at Eden, and have said at staff meetings that I want to get to know all of them well. I said I will expect them all to be obsessive about caring for our customers.”
Vauxhall Motors Holding usually advances money to talented young entrepreneurs. Potts contributed money from his investment company to create Eden GM.
In Potts, 50, Vauxhall has an experienced retail operator who built his reputation as chief executive of the group Sir Peter Vardy sold to Pendragon.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: AM
Potts has formed a joint venture with Vauxhall Motors Holding to create Eden GM. It has bought five Vauxhall dealerships from Inchcape Retail for £14.3 million. They have a combined turnover of £75 million.
“Eden is a brand name for a retail group with a focus on creating a better world for my work colleagues and for our customers,” says Potts, a devote Christian.
“I have 238 colleagues at Eden, and have said at staff meetings that I want to get to know all of them well. I said I will expect them all to be obsessive about caring for our customers.”
Vauxhall Motors Holding usually advances money to talented young entrepreneurs. Potts contributed money from his investment company to create Eden GM.
In Potts, 50, Vauxhall has an experienced retail operator who built his reputation as chief executive of the group Sir Peter Vardy sold to Pendragon.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: AM
Subaru used car dealers of the year
Subaru has awarded four dealers with its regional used car dealer of the year award.
Holdcroft Subaru of Brunswick Street in Newcastle, S&S Services in Ayr, Cross Roads Garage of Tredington in Shipston on Stour and Slip End Garage in Luton have been named Subaru’s regional winners for its used car dealer of the year.
The competition is held annually within Subaru’s network of over 90 'approved' dealers which are marked on the quality of their used car display and professionalism of service given to the used car customer.
Dave Brennan, dealer principal at Holdcroft, John Spicer, dealer principal at S&S Services, Ben Shimmin of Cross Roads Garage and Paul Flitton, dealer principal at Slip End Garage have each been awarded a weekend in New York for their hard work.
DATED: 28.01.087
FEED: AM
Holdcroft Subaru of Brunswick Street in Newcastle, S&S Services in Ayr, Cross Roads Garage of Tredington in Shipston on Stour and Slip End Garage in Luton have been named Subaru’s regional winners for its used car dealer of the year.
The competition is held annually within Subaru’s network of over 90 'approved' dealers which are marked on the quality of their used car display and professionalism of service given to the used car customer.
Dave Brennan, dealer principal at Holdcroft, John Spicer, dealer principal at S&S Services, Ben Shimmin of Cross Roads Garage and Paul Flitton, dealer principal at Slip End Garage have each been awarded a weekend in New York for their hard work.
DATED: 28.01.087
FEED: AM
Importance of dealer councils
Twenty-seven of the 33 main carmakers in the UK have a dealer council. According to the NFDA dealer attitude survey, they range from the effective – Jaguar, Toyota – to the ineffective – Volvo, Saab. Most are ranked between 2.5 and 3.0 out of five; in other words 50-60%, a ‘C’ grade at best.
Of the six carmakers without a dealer council, Mercedes-Benz has a European council with UK representation, Skoda has a regional business development group and Suzuki is planning to introduce one. Mazda and Seat have a less formal Dealer Forum, while Daihatsu has no official body.
Dealer councils have an important role to play in the interface between manufacturer and retailer. They gather views from the network to put to senior management and they develop ideas to improve the performance of both network and carmaker.
Good examples come from Ford, with its attention to the Project 50 cost savings/profits programme, Honda with its focus groups and Citroen with its three working groups. Each is listening to what the dealers are saying.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: AM
Of the six carmakers without a dealer council, Mercedes-Benz has a European council with UK representation, Skoda has a regional business development group and Suzuki is planning to introduce one. Mazda and Seat have a less formal Dealer Forum, while Daihatsu has no official body.
Dealer councils have an important role to play in the interface between manufacturer and retailer. They gather views from the network to put to senior management and they develop ideas to improve the performance of both network and carmaker.
Good examples come from Ford, with its attention to the Project 50 cost savings/profits programme, Honda with its focus groups and Citroen with its three working groups. Each is listening to what the dealers are saying.
DATED: 28.01.08
FEED: AM
