Friday, September 12, 2008
Used Project for Bentley Dealers
"It’s more a reassurance to customers who come into the brand on why they should choose between an official Bentley dealer and a non-official used car dealer. " - Stuart McCullough, Bentley’s board member for sales and marketing
Bentley is preparing a used car programme for its dealer network.
It is being put together after more than three years of significantly increased registrations through its first volume product, Continental GT and Flying Spur.
Encompassing warranty provision, forecourt preparation standards and provenance checks, the programme will include marketing and stocking support for dealers.
Stuart McCullough, Bentley’s board member for sales and marketing, said: “It’s more a reassurance to customers who come into the brand on why they should choose between an official Bentley dealer and a non-official used car dealer.”
Volume reduction
Subtle revisions to the Flying Spur for the 2009 model year, and the offering of a Speed variant, are expected to support dealers’ new car sales.
“We’ll always be concerned about an economic downturn but there’s a balance to be struck between the short term and the long term,” said McCullough.
“We had planned for a reduction in volume this year. One part of that is from seeing what’s happening in our markets and the other part is product lifecycle.”
Production at Crewe will still be 8,000-10,000 units annually. “That’s what our business model was based on,” added McCullough.
The UK represents 18% of Bentley’s global sales – its largest market outside the USA – but the Crewe-based manufacturer is enjoying growth in export markets such as China, Russia, India and the Middle East.
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
Bentley is preparing a used car programme for its dealer network.
It is being put together after more than three years of significantly increased registrations through its first volume product, Continental GT and Flying Spur.
Encompassing warranty provision, forecourt preparation standards and provenance checks, the programme will include marketing and stocking support for dealers.
Stuart McCullough, Bentley’s board member for sales and marketing, said: “It’s more a reassurance to customers who come into the brand on why they should choose between an official Bentley dealer and a non-official used car dealer.”
Volume reduction
Subtle revisions to the Flying Spur for the 2009 model year, and the offering of a Speed variant, are expected to support dealers’ new car sales.
“We’ll always be concerned about an economic downturn but there’s a balance to be struck between the short term and the long term,” said McCullough.
“We had planned for a reduction in volume this year. One part of that is from seeing what’s happening in our markets and the other part is product lifecycle.”
Production at Crewe will still be 8,000-10,000 units annually. “That’s what our business model was based on,” added McCullough.
The UK represents 18% of Bentley’s global sales – its largest market outside the USA – but the Crewe-based manufacturer is enjoying growth in export markets such as China, Russia, India and the Middle East.
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
Audi Probing Test Drive Abuse Claims
Audi is investigating claims by a customer that staff at a franchised dealership took 'joyrides' in his RS4.
Mark Reece alleges his RS4 estate was driven 27 times while it was left for servicing at his local Audi dealership in Bexley.
The car stayed with the dealership for 11 days while Reece was on a business trip.
He said logs from a Tracker Response monitoring system fitted to the car subsequently showed that the car was moved occasionally during the first few two days, but on the third day it was driven around the local area at up to 60mph.
It recorded further drives, and altogether logged 16 miles of use.
Audi UK said its initial inspection of the Tracker's data has been inconclusive, but it is looking into the issue and will not comment further until the data can be fully interrogated and checked.
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
Mark Reece alleges his RS4 estate was driven 27 times while it was left for servicing at his local Audi dealership in Bexley.
The car stayed with the dealership for 11 days while Reece was on a business trip.
He said logs from a Tracker Response monitoring system fitted to the car subsequently showed that the car was moved occasionally during the first few two days, but on the third day it was driven around the local area at up to 60mph.
It recorded further drives, and altogether logged 16 miles of use.
Audi UK said its initial inspection of the Tracker's data has been inconclusive, but it is looking into the issue and will not comment further until the data can be fully interrogated and checked.
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
Volvo aims for network of Big City Supersites
"We will take the initial financial start-up cost worries away from dealers by way of head-up lease assistance." - Kevin Meeks, Volvo UK’s network and business development director
Volvo plans to create 12 ‘super-sites’ for the UK at a cost of more than £30m over the next four to five years.
Costing £2m-£3m each, they will be in locations such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
Kevin Meeks, Volvo UK’s network and business development director, told AM that he wanted more stand-out dealers to handle higher volumes.
The average annual new car sales for Volvo dealers is 270 units, but he wants the super-sites to achieve 500 units per year or more, plus the same again in used cars.
“The super-sites will involve very large sums of money and we want to make it easier for private and public dealer concerns plus family operators to get up and running in major metropolitan areas” he said.
“We will take the initial financial start-up cost worries away from them by way of head-up lease assistance.”
Meeks insisted that Volvo would not reduce its present network of 109 dealers and 15 authorised repairers to get more throughput from each dealership.
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
Volvo plans to create 12 ‘super-sites’ for the UK at a cost of more than £30m over the next four to five years.
Costing £2m-£3m each, they will be in locations such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.
Kevin Meeks, Volvo UK’s network and business development director, told AM that he wanted more stand-out dealers to handle higher volumes.
The average annual new car sales for Volvo dealers is 270 units, but he wants the super-sites to achieve 500 units per year or more, plus the same again in used cars.
“The super-sites will involve very large sums of money and we want to make it easier for private and public dealer concerns plus family operators to get up and running in major metropolitan areas” he said.
“We will take the initial financial start-up cost worries away from them by way of head-up lease assistance.”
Meeks insisted that Volvo would not reduce its present network of 109 dealers and 15 authorised repairers to get more throughput from each dealership.
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
Honda Acts on Dissatisfaction
Honda has promised to look closely at the latest NFDA and Sewells dealer attitude surveys and act on any areas of dissatisfaction.
The carmaker finished in mid-table in the NFDA survey when ranked on overall value of the franchise, but was scored second worst in three areas: new car bonuses, pressure to self-register and impact on the business of self registering.
“We are going through a complete review based on the surveys and what can be learnt,” said Bernard Bradley, Honda UK general manager – cars.
“We expect our score to improve in the next one.”
Cutting dealers' targets
He has already taken action to address the new car bonus issue by cutting dealers’ bonus targets by 10% for the first half of the year.
“We took that action in June because we recognised the challenges that dealers were facing in a tough market,” he said.
“And we took a step that was over and above the market conditions – at that point the UK market was down only around 2% but we cut targets by 10%.”
The majority of Honda’s growth was weighted towards the first half of the year, with a flat second six months.
It now expects to end the year down from 102,000 unit sales to the “mid to high 90s”.
Extending dealer incentives
But self-registering will not be part of the strategy to hit the numbers.
Honda accepts that dealers went beyond a natural level of pre-registering in March to release bonus and it has taken steps to ensure the situation isn’t repeated this month.
“We have extended our incentives until the end of December with the sole purpose of encouraging dealers not to self-register at the end of this month,” said Bradley.
He is now out on the road visiting dealers on a one-to-one basis.
“We need to stay close to our dealers and speak to them regularly, especially now with the tough market conditions,” Bradley added.
“It enables us to understand and tackle the issues.”
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
The carmaker finished in mid-table in the NFDA survey when ranked on overall value of the franchise, but was scored second worst in three areas: new car bonuses, pressure to self-register and impact on the business of self registering.
“We are going through a complete review based on the surveys and what can be learnt,” said Bernard Bradley, Honda UK general manager – cars.
“We expect our score to improve in the next one.”
Cutting dealers' targets
He has already taken action to address the new car bonus issue by cutting dealers’ bonus targets by 10% for the first half of the year.
“We took that action in June because we recognised the challenges that dealers were facing in a tough market,” he said.
“And we took a step that was over and above the market conditions – at that point the UK market was down only around 2% but we cut targets by 10%.”
The majority of Honda’s growth was weighted towards the first half of the year, with a flat second six months.
It now expects to end the year down from 102,000 unit sales to the “mid to high 90s”.
Extending dealer incentives
But self-registering will not be part of the strategy to hit the numbers.
Honda accepts that dealers went beyond a natural level of pre-registering in March to release bonus and it has taken steps to ensure the situation isn’t repeated this month.
“We have extended our incentives until the end of December with the sole purpose of encouraging dealers not to self-register at the end of this month,” said Bradley.
He is now out on the road visiting dealers on a one-to-one basis.
“We need to stay close to our dealers and speak to them regularly, especially now with the tough market conditions,” Bradley added.
“It enables us to understand and tackle the issues.”
DATED: 12.09.08
FEED: AM
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
The Big Picture: FSA accepts no excuses
The Financial Services Authority has finally bared its teeth in the motor industry.
The £175,000 fine meted out to five dealerships for mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI) shows a clear intention to make an example of any company not meeting the FSA’s high expectations – even if, in its own admission, those companies did not deliberately try to mislead customers.
This point is key. The FSA believes dealers have had plenty of time to get their house in order and, as such, it is unwilling to embark on conversations when it unearths poor practice or slack processes. No warnings, yellow cards or three-strike rule – it’s hitting dealers straight in the pocket.
The fines were issued because the FSA’s investigations found out that the correct processes were not adhered to. The FSA wasn’t following up complaints – indeed, the dealers say they didn’t receive any – and it may well be that every customer who purchased PPI needed it. We – and the FSA – do not know.
All we do know is that there was an inherent risk because the dealers didn’t operate the correct methods and safeguards.
How were the fines – from £28,000 to £61,600 – worked out? The FSA doesn’t say, but it’s unlikely those dealers made anywhere near that level of profit from PPI policies.
Should consumers start to take more responsibility for their purchases? A topic as potentially confusing as PPI needs to be fully explained. But everyone has the paperwork and is told to read the small print and question anything they do not understand; yet their failure to do this makes the dealer culpable.
However, when a dealer signs a contract and doesn’t read the small print, they have very little recourse, as one recently found out when it discovered a maintenance contract for a finance system had a three-year deal instead of a one-year. He couldn’t get out of it.
As another dealer commented on the AM Forum: “If I sign for a new mobile contract thinking it is 12 months and it turns out to be 18 months, then I only have myself to blame.”
Many dealers have stopped selling PPI; many more could soon follow suit.
DATED: 10.09.08
FEED: AM
The £175,000 fine meted out to five dealerships for mis-selling of payment protection insurance (PPI) shows a clear intention to make an example of any company not meeting the FSA’s high expectations – even if, in its own admission, those companies did not deliberately try to mislead customers.
This point is key. The FSA believes dealers have had plenty of time to get their house in order and, as such, it is unwilling to embark on conversations when it unearths poor practice or slack processes. No warnings, yellow cards or three-strike rule – it’s hitting dealers straight in the pocket.
The fines were issued because the FSA’s investigations found out that the correct processes were not adhered to. The FSA wasn’t following up complaints – indeed, the dealers say they didn’t receive any – and it may well be that every customer who purchased PPI needed it. We – and the FSA – do not know.
All we do know is that there was an inherent risk because the dealers didn’t operate the correct methods and safeguards.
How were the fines – from £28,000 to £61,600 – worked out? The FSA doesn’t say, but it’s unlikely those dealers made anywhere near that level of profit from PPI policies.
Should consumers start to take more responsibility for their purchases? A topic as potentially confusing as PPI needs to be fully explained. But everyone has the paperwork and is told to read the small print and question anything they do not understand; yet their failure to do this makes the dealer culpable.
However, when a dealer signs a contract and doesn’t read the small print, they have very little recourse, as one recently found out when it discovered a maintenance contract for a finance system had a three-year deal instead of a one-year. He couldn’t get out of it.
As another dealer commented on the AM Forum: “If I sign for a new mobile contract thinking it is 12 months and it turns out to be 18 months, then I only have myself to blame.”
Many dealers have stopped selling PPI; many more could soon follow suit.
DATED: 10.09.08
FEED: AM
HR Owen counts on ongoing support
HR Owen chief executive Nick Lancaster is confident that the world’s wealthy will continue to support his specialist franchises during the economic downturn.
Lancaster spoke to AM after HR Owen announced a 22% rise in first-half operating profits to £2.2m from its dealerships, which represent supercar brands such as Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.
Turnover grew to £95.9m from £94.9m.
“Nobody anywhere is ever unscathed by the economic conditions at the moment, but our whole raison d’être of getting out of marginal situations caused by the cost base of London and getting into niche products was well thought out for survival,” he said.
Lancaster believes the second half of the year will be tough, particularly among domestic customers. Nevertheless, he expects continued business from HR Owen’s exceptionally wealthy non-UK customers with homes in London.
"Money is not as difficult to find providing we have the product that the customers want," he said.
“There’s a lot of product coming from manufacturers that we represent and we expect to do exceptionally well.
“These are new products that will be more efficient and will undoubtedly expand the range.”
Sales of its Volvo dealerships to management is expected to be completed this year.
DATED: 10.09.08
FEED: AM
Lancaster spoke to AM after HR Owen announced a 22% rise in first-half operating profits to £2.2m from its dealerships, which represent supercar brands such as Lamborghini, Bentley, Bugatti, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.
Turnover grew to £95.9m from £94.9m.
“Nobody anywhere is ever unscathed by the economic conditions at the moment, but our whole raison d’être of getting out of marginal situations caused by the cost base of London and getting into niche products was well thought out for survival,” he said.
Lancaster believes the second half of the year will be tough, particularly among domestic customers. Nevertheless, he expects continued business from HR Owen’s exceptionally wealthy non-UK customers with homes in London.
"Money is not as difficult to find providing we have the product that the customers want," he said.
“There’s a lot of product coming from manufacturers that we represent and we expect to do exceptionally well.
“These are new products that will be more efficient and will undoubtedly expand the range.”
Sales of its Volvo dealerships to management is expected to be completed this year.
DATED: 10.09.08
FEED: AM
Chorley closes used car site
Chorley Motor Group has closed the used car forecourt where the business began 19 years ago.
The dealer group, which has five sites representing Nissan and one with a Fiat franchise in the north west of England, said the Bugle Inn Motor Company-branded site in Euxton no longer fitted with its business profile.
It is not yet known whether the group, founded by managing director Andrew Turner in 1989, will continue operating its second used car site in Parbold, which also trades as Bugle Inn Motor Company.
DATED: 10.09.08
FEED: AM
The dealer group, which has five sites representing Nissan and one with a Fiat franchise in the north west of England, said the Bugle Inn Motor Company-branded site in Euxton no longer fitted with its business profile.
It is not yet known whether the group, founded by managing director Andrew Turner in 1989, will continue operating its second used car site in Parbold, which also trades as Bugle Inn Motor Company.
DATED: 10.09.08
FEED: AM
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Jaguar Land Rover back government plan
Jaguar Land Rover has backed a government initiative that aims to promote manufacturing in Britain, following a fact finding tour of its Castle Bromwich plant by Gordon Brown and Alastair Darling.The government plans include the development of trade opportunities with low cost supply chains and actions to support economic growth and reduce input and financing costs.
The strategy, called New Challenges, New Opportunities, brings nearly £150m of medium-term support to manufacturing and sets government objectives for manufacturing in the future - these include seizing the opportunities of the low carbon economy, realising overseas opportunities, supporting skills and improving perceptions of manufacturing.
David Smith, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, said: "We believe the manufacturing sector is central to the future prosperity of the UK economy.
"Jaguar Land Rover is striving to sustain and grow its manufacturing and R&D operations in the UK, but clearly global competition continues to intensify and we have faced considerable pressures from rising energy and commodity prices, combined with reduced consumer demand.
"We therefore support actions that underpin UK manufacturing investment and productivity during this difficult period."
During their visit to the prime minister and chancellor met with 54 of Jaguar Land Rover's new apprentices, who started their careers with the company last week.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
The strategy, called New Challenges, New Opportunities, brings nearly £150m of medium-term support to manufacturing and sets government objectives for manufacturing in the future - these include seizing the opportunities of the low carbon economy, realising overseas opportunities, supporting skills and improving perceptions of manufacturing.
David Smith, CEO of Jaguar Land Rover, said: "We believe the manufacturing sector is central to the future prosperity of the UK economy.
"Jaguar Land Rover is striving to sustain and grow its manufacturing and R&D operations in the UK, but clearly global competition continues to intensify and we have faced considerable pressures from rising energy and commodity prices, combined with reduced consumer demand.
"We therefore support actions that underpin UK manufacturing investment and productivity during this difficult period."
During their visit to the prime minister and chancellor met with 54 of Jaguar Land Rover's new apprentices, who started their careers with the company last week.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
Kia and Citroen launch service plans
Kia and Citroen dealers will be selling new service plans to coincide with the September plate-change.Kia's new servicing package allows customers to choose a time frame and monthly payment amount according to their needs.
While exact costs will vary between dealers nationally, the manufacturer has said a typical customer could set up a direct debit for 36 months paying a fixed fee of around £15 a month.
The plan can be used for both new and used vehicles and existing customers can take up the plan at any time.
Meanwhile, Citroen has introduced a three year servicing contract on all new vehicles registered in September.
The plan covers vehicles for three years or 20,000 miles for £200, or three years or 35,000 miles for £300.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
While exact costs will vary between dealers nationally, the manufacturer has said a typical customer could set up a direct debit for 36 months paying a fixed fee of around £15 a month.
The plan can be used for both new and used vehicles and existing customers can take up the plan at any time.
Meanwhile, Citroen has introduced a three year servicing contract on all new vehicles registered in September.
The plan covers vehicles for three years or 20,000 miles for £200, or three years or 35,000 miles for £300.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
Dealers should target new areas
Dealers focusing too closely on retail sales are missing out on lucrative revenue opportunities as the economy tightens, according to Network Automotive.The motor industry consultancy said dealers should target Motability sales, public sector fleets, blue light services, driving schools and diplomatic and tax free sales during the downturn in the new car market.
Network Automotive director Tim McGing said: "Dealers and manufacturers that have centred their efforts on retail sales are the ones that are really suffering the most at the moment because demand has fallen so much there.
"But there are sectors that offer continuing opportunities during poor economic conditions and, if success can be found there, can potentially bring ongoing sales because they are not so closely linked to the general economy."
McGing advised dealers to carefully plan moving into new sales areas.
"Because they're specialist sectors, you have to look at where the car sales would go and where it would make a difference," he said.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
Network Automotive director Tim McGing said: "Dealers and manufacturers that have centred their efforts on retail sales are the ones that are really suffering the most at the moment because demand has fallen so much there.
"But there are sectors that offer continuing opportunities during poor economic conditions and, if success can be found there, can potentially bring ongoing sales because they are not so closely linked to the general economy."
McGing advised dealers to carefully plan moving into new sales areas.
"Because they're specialist sectors, you have to look at where the car sales would go and where it would make a difference," he said.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
Cars continue to sell despite crunch
Car owners are still planning to go ahead with their vehicle purchases despite the slowdown of the economy, according to new research from Experian.The survey shows that while nearly nine out of ten British car owners have admitted to worries about the rising costs of living, only four in ten said they would delay buying a car as a result.
Kirk Fletcher, managing director of Experian's Automotive division, which conducted the research, said: "People are clearly worried about the current economic climate. However, it is interesting to find that the influence of these concerns is not as overwhelming as expected.
"People are certainly thinking about these issues when they are considering a car purchase, but not as many people as expected are actually delaying their purchase. People are still buying cars."
The survey revealed that of the third of British car owners who change their cars regularly, 83 per cent have said they are worried about the current costs of running a car.
Despite this high percentage, only 20 per cent would actually considering delaying a car purchase at the moment.
"The focus for dealers now is to make the most of opportunities that are already present in their businesses," said Fletcher.
"For example, the most effective revenue-building asset in a dealership is the customer database."
Fletcher emphasised the importance of keeping this database up to date.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
Kirk Fletcher, managing director of Experian's Automotive division, which conducted the research, said: "People are clearly worried about the current economic climate. However, it is interesting to find that the influence of these concerns is not as overwhelming as expected.
"People are certainly thinking about these issues when they are considering a car purchase, but not as many people as expected are actually delaying their purchase. People are still buying cars."
The survey revealed that of the third of British car owners who change their cars regularly, 83 per cent have said they are worried about the current costs of running a car.
Despite this high percentage, only 20 per cent would actually considering delaying a car purchase at the moment.
"The focus for dealers now is to make the most of opportunities that are already present in their businesses," said Fletcher.
"For example, the most effective revenue-building asset in a dealership is the customer database."
Fletcher emphasised the importance of keeping this database up to date.
DATED: 09.09.08
FEED: MT
Monday, September 08, 2008
New director at Peugeot
Phil Robson has been appointed director of fleet and used vehicle operations at Peugeot UK.
Robson makes the move from Peugeot's own dealer group, Robins & Day, where he managed its Bristol, Newcastle and Gateshead sites.
Previously, he ran the used vehicle operations at Peugeot UK's headquarters.
Peugeot's previous fleet director, David Peel, is now managing director of Robins & Day.
Managing director Pierre Louis Colin said: "We’re looking for sales growth of our market share within all fleet sectors and understand how important it is to have products that appeal to business customers, especially with its strong green credentials.
"Phil’s appointment in this area will ensure we have strong leadership for our fleet team to achieve these objectives."
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AM
Robson makes the move from Peugeot's own dealer group, Robins & Day, where he managed its Bristol, Newcastle and Gateshead sites.
Previously, he ran the used vehicle operations at Peugeot UK's headquarters.
Peugeot's previous fleet director, David Peel, is now managing director of Robins & Day.
Managing director Pierre Louis Colin said: "We’re looking for sales growth of our market share within all fleet sectors and understand how important it is to have products that appeal to business customers, especially with its strong green credentials.
"Phil’s appointment in this area will ensure we have strong leadership for our fleet team to achieve these objectives."
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AM
Thieves targeting Land Rovers
Owners of a certain type of Land Rover vehicle in Derbyshire are being warned to keep them secure after a spate of thefts. Police say since January, there have been 45 reports of Land Rover Defenders stolen from people in the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales areas of the county. Pc John Riley said Defenders were vulnerable because they did not have the most up-to-date security systems. He added simple steps could be taken to make the vehicles more secure. "The Derbyshire Dales is a very low crime area but it's important we keep it that way and Land Rovers can be popular with thieves from outside the area because of their high re-sale value," said Pc Riley. He also advised owners to keep the cars in garages overnight if possible and put keys in a safe place away from doors and windows.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
Vauxhall to launch electric car
Vauxhall will launch an Astra-based version of parent company General Motors' Volt electric car. In the United States, the car is known as the Chevrolet Volt and has been exhibited at a number of motor shows. GM says the plug-in Volt will make history when it goes on sale in 2010 as the world's first electric vehicle with a long range. It will be capable of travelling 50 miles on electric power alone but will have an extended range of 400 miles thanks to a 1.4 litre engine. This will run at an optimum constant speed and will only charge the batteries when they are near to empty, thus allowing the cars to keep running to around the 400-mile mark between recharging or filling up. GM estimates that the Volt could save the average motorist 500 gallons of fuel a year and emit 4.4 tons less CO2. Initially expected to cost around £20,000 - batteries costing about £6,000 are expected to be included in the price. In the UK a Vauxhall version could be built at the company's Ellesmere Port plant on the same body platform and chassis as the next generation Astra, which is due in spring 2010. The Astra Volt will have similar performance as a current petrol or diesel car, with a 0-60 mph time of nine seconds and a top speed of 100 mpg, but will be considerably 'greener'.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
Honda unveils world's cheapest hybrid
The world's cheapest hybrid car has been unveiled by Honda in an attempt to win over motorists facing high fuel costs. Expected to sell at between £12,000 and £15,000, the car, which revives the Insight name, will undercut the best-selling Toyota Prius by at least £3,000, thus bringing hybrid vehicles into the price range of many more motorists. The five-door hatchback, which will be officially unveiled at October's Paris Motor Show, will be powered by a 1.4 litre petrol engine twinned with an electric motor. It will deliver around 60 mpg and is expected to have CO2 emissions of just over 100 g/km. The model will go on sale in spring 2009 and Honda hopes to sell 200,000 Insights a year worldwide. Honda plans to become the first manufacturer to offer a full range of hybrid models from supermini to executive car with at least four vehicles in total scheduled to be launched within the next few years. Currently the Civic IMA is the manufacturer's only hybrid and the Insight is smaller than that model. Future hybrid models are expected to include a sports coupe and a supermini based on the soon-to-be launched new Jazz. Honda predicts that hybrids will account for 10% of its global sales by 2010. In reviving the Insight name, Honda is returning to the name of its pioneering model launch in 1999, which was soon outsold by the Prius.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
Nano car plant protest suspended
Opposition groups in the Indian state of West Bengal who have been blocking construction work at a Tata Motors plant have suspended their protests. The move came after the state government promised to return some seized land at the plant site. Tata Motors stopped work last week on the plant where it plans to build the Nano, the world's cheapest car. However the firm said that it was still reviewing the deal and work at the site was still suspended. A Tata spokesperson said the company is "distressed at the limited clarity on the outcome of the discussions between the State Government of West Bengal and the representatives of the agitators in Singur". The company said it was obliged to continue the suspension of construction and commissioning work at the Nano Plant. "The government has taken the decision to respond to the demand of those farmers who have not received compensation," said Gopalkrishna Gandhi, the governor of West Bengal. 'Big victory' Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the main opposition Trinamul Congress party leading the protests, described the agreement as a big victory. A committee is to decide the details of the land return next week.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: AW
VW workers to protest against Porsche
Thousands of Volkswagen Group employees are due to protest against Porsche's move to take a majority stake in the company at a supervisory board meeting on Friday.
Three months ago the sportscar manufacturer took an 18 per cent stake in VW and has recently raised this stake to 31 per cent.
As a result Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche chief executive, has taken a seat on the VW board.
VW head of works council Bernd Osterloh has spoken out against Porsche's management as its grip has tightened, while Porsche has reportedly criticised some of VW's management decisions.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: MT
Three months ago the sportscar manufacturer took an 18 per cent stake in VW and has recently raised this stake to 31 per cent.
As a result Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche chief executive, has taken a seat on the VW board.
VW head of works council Bernd Osterloh has spoken out against Porsche's management as its grip has tightened, while Porsche has reportedly criticised some of VW's management decisions.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: MT
Audi Tops Dealer Attitude Survey
Audi remains the most highly rated brand among UK dealers according to the latest RMIF's National Franchised Dealers' Association Summer 2008 Dealer Attitude Survey.
The twice yearly research also shows that most dealers are satisfied with the level of control exerted by their manufacturer partners. Sixty per cent said they were content with manufacturer influence, while 70 per cent said they were satisfied with the value, price and image of the product they represented.
Audi dealers were most satisfied with their franchise, giving the brand an overall rating of 8.5 out of 10.
Fellow prestige brand Jaguar came in second on 8.2 and the top three was completed by 4x4 and small car specialist Suzuki, which scored 7.5 overall.
At the other end of the scale, dealers were particularly unhappy with Peugeot, with a score of just 3.6. Subaru came in second from the bottom with 3.7 just below Saab with 3.8.
Only 52 per cent of networks were satisfied with the profit return of their franchise and just 54 per cent said they were satisfied with future sales targets.
"Dealers are looking at all aspects of their operations in order to maximise efficiencies. This includes the manufacturer requirements they must meet, and the services provided to them as a result of this partnership," said NFDA director Sue Robinson.
"If there is a balance between what they must do and what they gain from the relationship, dealers will be satisfied. However if demands are too onerous, with scant benefits to show for it, dealers will question their current arrangements."
Robinson said for the most part, dealer gains appeared to be equitable with the requirements they had to meet and that many would be looking to preserve long-term relations with manufacturers to provide stability against the potential industry changes that may result from the block exemption renewal in 2010.
Unsurprisingly, Jaguar and Audi performed well in most categories. Jaguar dealers were happiest with the fairness of the manufacturer's policy for the supply and stocking of vehicles and also rated the brand highest for its ability to do business with dealers on a day-to-day basis.Audi dealers were by far the happiest with the frequency of the introduction of new models.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: MT
The twice yearly research also shows that most dealers are satisfied with the level of control exerted by their manufacturer partners. Sixty per cent said they were content with manufacturer influence, while 70 per cent said they were satisfied with the value, price and image of the product they represented.
Audi dealers were most satisfied with their franchise, giving the brand an overall rating of 8.5 out of 10.
Fellow prestige brand Jaguar came in second on 8.2 and the top three was completed by 4x4 and small car specialist Suzuki, which scored 7.5 overall.
At the other end of the scale, dealers were particularly unhappy with Peugeot, with a score of just 3.6. Subaru came in second from the bottom with 3.7 just below Saab with 3.8.
Only 52 per cent of networks were satisfied with the profit return of their franchise and just 54 per cent said they were satisfied with future sales targets.
"Dealers are looking at all aspects of their operations in order to maximise efficiencies. This includes the manufacturer requirements they must meet, and the services provided to them as a result of this partnership," said NFDA director Sue Robinson.
"If there is a balance between what they must do and what they gain from the relationship, dealers will be satisfied. However if demands are too onerous, with scant benefits to show for it, dealers will question their current arrangements."
Robinson said for the most part, dealer gains appeared to be equitable with the requirements they had to meet and that many would be looking to preserve long-term relations with manufacturers to provide stability against the potential industry changes that may result from the block exemption renewal in 2010.
Unsurprisingly, Jaguar and Audi performed well in most categories. Jaguar dealers were happiest with the fairness of the manufacturer's policy for the supply and stocking of vehicles and also rated the brand highest for its ability to do business with dealers on a day-to-day basis.Audi dealers were by far the happiest with the frequency of the introduction of new models.
DATED: 08.09.08
FEED: MT
