Friday, September 24, 2010
Jaguar Land Rover launches recruitment campaign for 1,000 new jobs
Jaguar Land Rover is seeking more than 1,000 talented engineers, supervisors and production operators to help launch the all new Range Rover Evoque at Halewood Operations, Liverpool in 2011.
Ralf Speth, CEO, Jaguar Land Rover, commented, "The Range Rover Evoque is a significant step in the company's plan to grow the JLR business. It is a truly global car and will be sold in over 160 markets around the world. Around 85% of the models built at Halewood will be exported making a significant contribution to the UK economy".
The Range Rover Evoque is the smallest, lightest, most fuel efficient Range Rover ever and it will make its global public debut at the Paris Motor Show on Thursday 30 September.
Michael Straughan, Operations Director at Halewood, added, "Halewood Operations has a reputation for excellent manufacturing quality and is recognised throughout the industry as a centre of excellence for Lean Manufacturing. The Range Rover Evoque has been eagerly anticipated since we first showed the LRX Concept in Detroit in 2008, so we are looking forward to welcoming some enthusiastic new recruits to the team to deliver the Range Rover Evoque to the marketplace".
Carmakers in migrant cap warning
The government's planned cap on migrant numbers could hurt the UK's car manufacturers, the industry's trade body has warned.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the cap would hurt global companies, like carmakers, that operate in the UK.
Meanwhile the society reported a 37.3% rise in car production in August compared with the same time last year.
A total of 77,882 cars were made in the UK last month.
'Significant challenges'
The SMMT's chief executive Paul Everitt said the figures showed that UK vehicle and engine production was leading "a strong manufacturing recovery".
But speaking to the BBC he admitted that the rise in production this year was being compared with significantly reduced production in 2009.
Last year, many car makers were forced make big cut-backs as the worldwide demand for cars collapsed.
"There are still significant challenges ahead and the government must do all it can to encourage continued international investment in UK-based [research and development], skills, plant and machinery," Mr Everitt said.
Earlier he called for the planned government cap on immigrants into the UK to exclude transfers of staff within companies.
Car makers including Nissan, Toyota and General Motors operate plants in the UK, and the SMMT is concerned that the cap could prevent them moving staff to the UK from their plants in other countries.
"Highly skilled employees transferred to work within the UK automotive industry are essential to maintaining and improving our global productivity and competitiveness," Mr Everitt said.
"[The] industry is concerned that the inclusion of intra-company transfers could impact on the attractiveness of the UK as a location for inward investment and undermine the UK's role in an increasingly global economy."
60 Plate Flop
There are few Manufacturers who would honestly dispute that the Retail buyer has allowed this latest plate to pass with little notice taken. We always said that the year plate identifier in March would be the big change time for for the market. Perhaps understandably the industry wants to cling to the hope that this can happen twice a year instead of just the one.
The question now has to be who is going to break ranks among Manufacturers to put out offers that the seemingly ever demanding retail customer wants to see, before they will commit to such a purchase in these uncertain times. The feeling seems to be that this will happen sooner rather than later as the last quarter could be too late to bring such an offering to the market.
The knock on effect to this lacklustre plate change month has been a positive one a least for used car trade demand. It seems that dealers can see the value in this sector and are stocking up with the view if they are not doing the business on new then used will have to provide them with the profit opportunity.
That said Retail used car demand is not reaching spectacular highs either, so the balance of stock has to be carefully managed, if not to find that those cars bought now will be a bitter pill in 60 days hence, for those who follow such or stricter stocking plans.
Mini could expand into scooter market
Mini could be expanding into the scooter market and has revealed the first pictures of the new product ahead of the Paris Motor Show next week.
The electric scooter, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery, is part of a concept study and also highlights Mini’s attention to extend the brand into new areas.
Part of the Scooter E concept features smartphone integration which acts as the key, display and central control element.
While the scooter is in motion, the smartphone can be used as a navigation system, music player or telephone as required. A wireless Bluetooth interface can be connected to a helmet from the Mini Collection.
The Scooter E comes with an integrated charging cable with a plug that will fit into a domestic socket.
Mini hasn’t revealed details on charging times, range or whether its something that will actually go on sale, but the Scooter E does look like something which would fit well with the Mini brand in dealerships.
DATED: 24.09.10
FEED: AM
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Car production rises 37 per cent in August
Car output rose 37.3 per cent for the month and year to date production was up 41.3 per cent.
Commercial vehicle output rose 22.1 per cent in August and 41.4 per cent in the first eight months and engine production was up 15.4 per cent for the month and 27.7 per cent for the year-to-date.
"UK vehicle and engine production continues to lead a strong manufacturing recovery," said SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt.
"The UK is an important part of the global automotive industry, exporting cars, commercial vehicles and engines to markets around the world.
There are still significant challenges ahead and government must do all it can to encourage continued international investment in UK based R&D, skills, plant and machinery."
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: MT
VAT rise will dent used car profits - GLASS'S
It warned there would be reduced profits on cars purchased this year and not sold until 2011.
A VAT qualifying car purchased in 2010 for £10,000 and retailed to a private retail customer before the end of the year attracted VAT at 17.5 per cent worth £1,750.
"If this car is not retailed until 2011 VAT will be payable at 20 per cent, amounting to £2,000. This means that the net profit is reduced by £250," said Glass Guide managing editor Adrian Rushmore.
"This may not seem a large sum at first glance, but if the net retained profit on the car was £750, to have this eroded by £250 represents a loss of 33 per cent.
"Moreover, the multiplier effect for several units of stock makes the sums look more sinister," he added.
As most dealers operated a stocking policy of between 30 and 60 days cars purchased for stock in late October will be sitting on forecourts on 1 January.
"As we approach the end of the year an increasing number of purchases will remain unsold by the beginning of next year," said Rushmore.
Rushmore said it was more pronounced with VAT qualifying cars because the tax is paid on the full amount of the purchase price.
For margin cars VAT is paid on the difference between the buying and selling price.
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: MT
Bentley issues recall for Flying B
The British luxury carmaker is recalling around 600 vehicles after it was found that rust could affect the mechanism which retracts the badge in a crash.
"This could increase the risk of injury to a pedestrian in the event of a crash," said the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
A Bentley UK spokesman said 298 cars are being recalled in the UK to deal with the problem.
The recall affects the Arnage, Azure and Brooklands models, from 2007-2009.
Bentley said it took the step to recall the cars after a dealer in Britain spotted the problem.
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: MT
Range Rover Evoque to debut in Paris
The new Range Rover Evoque will make its global public debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show on the September 30, 2010.
The Range Rover Evoque will be manufactured at Land Rover’s Halewood plant in Merseyside, UK.
The car will go on sale in more than 160 markets worldwide from summer 2011. Prices will start from £30,000 in the UK.
Dr Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover chief executive officer, said: “Not only will the Range Rover Evoque increase our worldwide market share, it helps to define a new segment for premium compact SUVs that are more sporting and stylish.”
The Range Rover Evoque comes with a stop-start engine, produces under 130g/km and Land Rover says it will return 58mpg.
Customers can choose between two 2.2-litre turbodiesel derivatives, with either 188bhp or 148bhp.
The front-wheel drive Range Rover Evoque with the 148bhp 2.2-litre engine achieves 58mpg and sub 130g/km CO2. The four-wheel-drive 2.2-litre 148bhp delivers 50mpg and sub 145g/km CO2. There will also be a 238bhp 2.0-litre Si4 petrol engine available.
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: AM
Dealers responding to end of scrappage scheme with more use of CRM
Dealers have responded to the end of the Government scrappage scheme with more and better use of the customer relationship management (CRM) tools available to them.
So reports dealer management systems specialist Pinewood, which says that dealers are using CRM in an effort to boost new and used car sales as well as aftersales.
Neville Briggs, managing director at Pinewood, said: “As the fall in sales for July illustrated, many dealers are unlikely to be able to sustain new car sales at the level seen in the first part of this year when the scrappage scheme was in full effect, at least in the short-medium term.
“So, what we are seeing instead is a concerted effort from them to maximise business on three fronts – new cars, used cars and aftersales – and we are gathering evidence of increased and more sophisticated use of CRM for all of these.”
Briggs said that this rise in the use of CRM could be attributed to the wider availability of technology that has made marketing easier, faster and cheaper to carry out.
He said: “For example, dealers have learned that, if their workshop is having a quiet week, they can use their DMS to quickly send out a general special offer on servicing by text or e-mail and see an immediate effect.
“On a more personal level, they are using the same CRM tools to sell individual cars. If they have a two year old used people carrier come into stock, for example, they can interrogate their database to see which past customers have two children and have owned their current 4-6 year old car for at least two years. Then they contact them directly with an attractive deal.
“These CRM trends have been developing for several years but post-scrappage scheme we are seeing more and more use of them. Dealers are recognising that they have to fight for business and are looking for the best way to do it
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: AM
Autologic acquires MCD from administrators
MCD, or Mainland Car Deliveries, had been trading since 1955 and was one of the major players in the UK' vehicle transportation sector. Autologic said the business had been hit by the declining number of new cars.
"The pressures created by diminishing volumes and reducing rates, has proved too much for the business to withstand," said Avril Palmer Baunack, Autologic's chief executive.
"This is no market for the faint-hearted. Fortunately, the journey that Autologic has embarked upon over the past three years, through our own re-structuring and strong focus on customer service, has enabled our business to come through these testing times both fitter and stronger, making us well equipped to deal with the new realities that we are all facing," she said
Palmer Baunack said its immediate focus was to stabilise the MCD business and ensure that customer service is unaffected and that its operational structure remains intact.
"We are more than aware that this has been a torrid time for the employees and we will be working closely with staff and their representatives, including our colleagues at Unite, to make the transition as smooth as possible", she said.
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: MT
Toyota signs up to FindYouCars.com
FindsYouCars.com matches buyers with dealers who have the exact car they are looking for.
Dealers create a profile on the site, outlining what cars they typically trade in.
The website matches their profile with buyers' specific car requirements and sends alerts with contact details included.
Iain McCall, vehicle remarketing and cost of ownership manager Toyota, said the site provided a "rapid, personal and totally secure service" and reduced dealers' marketing costs.
FindYouCars.com launched a £10 a month micro-subscription introductory offer last month.
"We have been heartened by the uptake of this introductory offer," said FindsYouCars chief executive officer Guy Walker.
"It's clear that vehicle manufacturers such as Toyota are seeing the genuine value of the site as a reliable and cost-effective sales channel."
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: MT
Cars Direct relaunches as CD Auction Group
Remarketing company Cars Direct has rebranded as CD Auction Group after 21 years.
It is to expand its remarketing IT system to incorporate sales channels for plant, machinery and office and other equipment.
The move also involves a redesign of the company’s website www.cdauctiongroup.com.
Roger Woodward, managing director of CD Auction Group, said: "After 21 years of growth and innovation, the company is about more than just remarketing cars direct from vendor to buyer.
"For starters, we now sell more than just cars with regular weekly auctions for commercial vehicles and some industrial plant and equipment."
CD Auction Group was formed as Cars Direct in 1989 and pioneered the sealed-bid auction system for the sale of ex-fleet and finance vehicles.
It moved to its present £1m facility in Corby in 2002.
The group now holds three online auctions a week with monthly branded sales for clients such as BMW, BT Fleet and Venson Automotive Solutions.
Other clients include TCH Leasing, Inchcape Fleet Solutions, Royal Mail, Legal and General, Sandicliffe Vehicle Contracts and Fleet Support Group.
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: AM
Sales controller to pay back cash stolen from dealer group
A sales controller stole more than £41,000 from dealer group Perrys because he was being threatened by loan sharks.
James Bergquist traded on 19 used cars which had been taken in part-exchange but did not hand over the cash to his dealership in Burnley.
Bergquist admitted 19 counts of theft, totalling just over £41,000, between January and May last year.
Burnley Crown Court gave Bergquist six months to make restitution after hearing he had a new job and could pay back the proceeds.
The prosecution accepted he had been subjected to serious threats from a moneylender, having borrowed £2,000 in 2005 in Liverpool and been unable to pay it back, and had gone to the police.
The court was told Bergquist has since repaid £12,400 to Perrys, leaving about £28,000 outstanding.
Sentence was deferred until March 4th, on condition he pays back at least £500 a month to Perrys, and does not commit any more offences.
In his defence, the court was told Bergquist had had the opportunity of going to the police but had no confidence because of things that happened in Merseyside.
He decided not to and was trying to get out of his problems in the best way he could, which in his twisted logic meant taking money both from his employer and family.
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: AM
Nissan increases China production target
Japanese carmaker Nissan has increased its vehicle production target for China over the next couple of years.
The company now says production will increase from the current 670,000 units per year to 1.2 million in 2012. It had previously targeted production of one million units in 2012.
Nissan has overtaken Toyota as the top-selling Japanese carmaker in China and is expanding its facilities there.
The firm is aiming for a 10% share in China - the world's biggest car market.
Nissan is targeting sales of 860,000 vehicles in China this year. It has already sold 660,000 in the eight months to August.
"Among the Japanese carmakers, which represent 20% of total sales in China, Nissan holds the number one position," chief executive Carlos Ghosn said, speaking at the opening ceremony of Nissan's new sports utility vehicle (SUV) plant in Zhengzhou.
But he believes Nissan still has the potential to increase its market share through its joint venture partnership with Dongfeng.
Arnold Clark is top UK dealer website
Sir Arnold Clark, chairman and chief executive of Arnold Clark Automobiles, attributed the site's success to its easy navigation.
It was closely followed by online car supermarket Autoquake with a 4 per cent stake and Carcraft with 3.7 per cent of web traffic, according to figures compiled by Experian Hitwise.
Also included in the Top 10 dealer listing were Evans Halshaw, Motorpoint, Auto Exposure, Perrys, Cargiant, Buyacar and Motorparks.
When it came to carmakers, BMW UK was the top site with 6.3 per cent of traffic for the sector followed by Ford United Kingdom and Audi UK on 5.3 per cent each.
Other carmaker websites in the Top 10 included Volkswagen UK, Peugeot UK, Seat UK, Honda UK, Vauxhall UK, Mercedes-Benz UK and Renault UK.
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: MT
Quality used stock remains in short supply
According to Epyx, the e-commerce specialist which runs the 1link disposal platform, values for standard mileage mainstream and prestige saloons, hatches and estates in good condition aged two-four years old remains strong.
"Despite the general fall in used car values seen in the last few months, good used stock remains in short supply," said Ken Trinder, head of business development.
"The prices we have seen for quality ex-fleet stock, that is the mainstay of many used car operations, have stayed fairly buoyant over the last month."
Trinder said there was also a wider spread of prices between the best and worst stock entering the used market.
"Pre-recession, most ex-fleet stock that came through the platform was sold at around three years/60,000 miles and the condition spread for that stock was fairly minimal.
"We now have seen a trend where buyers are being far more aggressive towards low mileage stock."
DATED: 23.09.10
FEED: MT
