F&I Management & Training

Indication
The company, a subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland, said the move was a clear indication of its commitment to the UK motor finance market.

General manager James McGee said the investment is being made to comply with the new European rules which come into force on 31 January 2011.

Opportunity
"This should not be viewed simply as a significant change to current motor finance legislation but also an opportunity for all of us within the industry, to embrace the changes positively and increase the good levels of professionalism, which already exist," he said.

The company will be offering workshop training to its intermediaries on the new directive.

DATED: 23.06.10

FEED: MT

Nissan's Sunderland Plant has started production of an all-new engine that could create 200 new jobs over the next three years.

The contract to assemble the 2.0 litre petrol unit - codenamed MR - was secured in July 2009. It followed approval for the first £2 million of a proposed £15 million investment package to upgrade Sunderland's engine operation through to 2014.

This package has been supported by a £1.94 million grant from regional development agency One North East.

Around 60,000 MR engines will be produced in Sunderland each year, immediately safeguarding 130 jobs and creating up to 200 additional posts by 2013 depending on the market.

The engine, which is compliant with Euro 5 and 6 emissions regulations, will be available as an option on several models including the Qashqai and Qashqai +2, which are also produced in Sunderland.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, Vice President of Manufacturing in the UK, commented: "Today marks an important new stage in engine production in Sunderland.

"In recent years our employees have focused on improving the overall competitiveness of our engine operation so we are able to bring new business like this to the plant.

"The involvement of One North East has also been vital to the success of this project and I would like to thank them for their ongoing support.

"Winning the MR engine is good news in terms of jobs, both here and amongst our suppliers, and it also puts our plant in a strong position to bid for future engine derivatives."

One North East Chairman Margaret Fay said: "This fresh investment from Nissan is a real boost both for the staff at its Sunderland plant and for the wider automotive industry in our region.

"This is another example of North East England's ability to lead in global manufacturing in this extremely competitive sector."

Malaysian car maker Proton has said it is in talks with an Indian automotive firm about making cars there.

The company wants to make small cars in collaboration with its UK subsidiary Lotus, which is best known as a sports car maker and engineering firm.

"Hopefully we can produce the car in less than two years," said Proton boss Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamad Tahir.

"It will be hybrid and combustion models."

The small five-door car with either a 1.0 litre or a 1.5 litre engine would be produced for sale in Asia and the Middle East.

The move should help Proton gain sales in fast-growing markets, including India.

"India is a very important market," said Mr Syed Zainal.

"We are talking to one party. I can't tell you who they are."

Proton, which is based in Shah Alam, Selangor, currently makes cars in its Malaysian factory in Tanjung Malim, Perak.