F&I Management & Training

The new V5C will be issued for all newly registered vehicles and when there are changes to an existing registration, such as a change of keeper or address. The new documentation will then be rolled out in mid 2011 for all remaining vehicles when they are re-licensed or declared to be off the road.

Revamped
The existing blue V5C will remain valid for these vehicles until it is replaced and the DVLA will not be asking for the old V5C to be returned. The revamped V5C, which is now coloured red, makes it clear that a registration certificate is not proof of ownership and also details where consumers can get advice on buying a used vehicle.

The move comes after the theft of a number of V5C certificates in 2006, which have since been used to sell vehicles which have been cloned. The DVLA estimated that 2,000 of the stolen documents have surfaced so far but the police have advised that as a worst case, up to 400,000 of the documents cannot be accounted for and could have fallen into criminal hands.

Car crime
"The new V5C certificate is a real boost in the fight against car crime. However, car criminals may continue to use the old style V5Cs that were stolen in 2006, which will still be accepted until they are phased out . Therefore used car buyers need to be on their guard against cloned vehicles now more than ever," said Nicola Johnson, HPI's consumer services manager.

"Car cloning is a serious problem that all buyers should be concerned about. The steps that the DVLA have taken with the new V5C certificate will be a massive blow for criminals. Initiatives such as this, coupled with greater consumer awareness, will stop car criminals looking to make some quick money dead in their tracks."

DATED: 13.08.10

FEED: MT

Retail Motor Industry (RMI) MOT Chairman John Ball, is urging members, industry colleagues and consumers, to take the opportunity to make their voice heard by participating in an EU MOT survey, which runs from 30 July to 24 September.
"This survey is a chance to make clear your view on the importance of the MOT and highlight the potential issues with and reduction in the regularity of testing".

The research survey, which is internet based and completely anonymous, opens just a week after the RMI met with Transport Minister, Mike Penning, to discuss the forthcoming review of the MOT.

Ball continued, "It has received virtually no publicity but is aimed at all EU citizens and those organisations affected by vehicle testing, including test stations and their staff".

The RMI believes there are in the region of 100,000 jobs in the UK in front line testing alone and MOT Chairman, John Ball, says, "this is a great opportunity for the UK trade to make a positive impact - don't lets lose it."

Because of the time constraint of this consultation and holidays RMI urges quick action if it is to achieve a result.

Car sales in India have risen 38% over the past year, figures from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers have shown.

Sales for July were 158,764, the trade body said.

Commercial vehicle sales were also up 37% compared with the same month last year, with 51,481 vehicles sold.

Analysts said relatively low vehicle sales this time last year, plus India's continued economic growth, have helped the car industry.

Orders for vehicles are expected to surge later this year - especially when India's festive season peaks in early November.

There are concerns this could lead to bottle necks as suppliers struggle to meet demand.

Higher interest rates and the availability of finance could hold also back growth in the sector, some analysts have warned.

Domestic thrust

Meanwhile, India's leading carmaker Maruti has said it will try to bring forward its plans to increase the amount of vehicles it can make.

It has been focusing on the domestic market, meaning its export growth has been restricted, said Angel Broking analyst Vaishali Jajoo.

Chrysler has trimmed its second-quarter losses, but warned that an "extraordinary" amount of work is still needed to complete its turnaround.

The smallest of the main three US carmakers made a net loss of $172m (£108m) in the March to June period, down from $197m in January-March.

Chrysler has been helped by higher sales and continuing cost-cutting work.

Its revenues were up 8.2% from the first quarter to $10.5bn, as its sales jumped by 22%.

Chrysler has been run by Italy's Fiat since it exited US Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in June last year.

In recent months its sales have been lifted by the release of the latest version of its popular Jeep Grand Cherokee four-wheel-drive vehicle.

This is the first new model the company has launched since Fiat bought a 20% stake in the business, and last month President Barack Obama visited a Chrysler factory to see the new Cherokee being produced.

"The second quarter operating profit confirms that Chrysler Group is on track to achieve its goals, yet an extraordinary amount of work still lies ahead," said chief executive Sergio Marchionne.

Chrysler says it aims to break even, or make a small profit, for 2010 as a whole.