The brave new world of the franchised car dealer is constantly evolving and although new improved sales standards and practices may appear to be positive for customers, there are those in the business who are … [Read more...]
Small cars big winners in the scrappage scheme
May 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Just days after the UK introduced a car scrappage scheme - where car buyers are given a £2,000 discount on a new car if they scrap one that is at least 10 years old - the motor industry has hosted its annual test driving day for journalists. … [Read more...]
Mandelson predicts “painful change” for Vauxhall
May 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
In an interview with the BBC Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said that there will be "painful change" resulting from the takeover of GM Europe. This, he said, would be inevitable whichever of the three bidders for the European arm of General Motors, which owns Vauxhall, takes over. … [Read more...]
Three bids submitted for Opel
May 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Three bids have been submitted to acquire or buy a stake in General Motors' Opel car unit. GM did not name the three companies but Italian carmaker Fiat and Canadian parts maker Magna have declared their interest in Opel. US investment firm RHJ International is also widely reported to be interested. … [Read more...]
Rolls-Royce creates 150 jobs
May 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment
BBC Business News reports Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has created 150 new manufacturing jobs at its factory in Goodwood, West Sussex, raising the total workforce to 900. Rolls-Royce is expanding because more workers are needed to produce the Ghost, its latest model. In contrast, luxury carmakers Bentley and Aston Martin have been scaling back … [Read more...]
Porsche push to restart VW merger talks
May 20, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The family owners of Porsche have pushed to restart stalled merger talks with Volkswagen. The move came as thousands of workers at the debt-ridden sports car manufacturer gathered to protest against Ferdinand Piech, the Volkswagen chairman. … [Read more...]
Ford and Honda end scrappage “dispute”
May 19, 2009 By 3 Comments
The dispute between carmakers and the government over the UK car scrappage scheme has now been resolved. Ford and Honda had delayed the start of their involvement on Monday. Both had expressed concerns about VAT arrangements and tax liabilities. … [Read more...]
New Toyota hybrid gets off to a flyer
May 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Toyota said on Monday its new Prius had received pre-sale orders for 80,000 vehicles in Japan, kicking off what promises to be a fierce battle against hybrid rival Honda. … [Read more...]
VW suspends merger talks with Porsche
May 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
BBC Business News reports that German car giant Volkswagen is suspending merger talks with luxury carmaker Porsche. VW said that constructive negotiations were not possible at the moment and urged Porsche to reduce its debt. … [Read more...]
Ford and Honda delay involvement in scrappage scheme
May 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Ford and Honda have delayed the start of their involvement in the UK car scrappage scheme, saying there are a number of matters still to be resolved. Ford has suspended deliveries of vehicles to dealers, while Honda has told its dealers not to register any cars under the scheme. … [Read more...]
Scrappage scheme day one
May 18, 2009 By Leave a Comment
BBC Business News - Drivers with cars that are more than 10 years old can now scrap them in return for a £2,000 discount on a new model, as the car scrappage scheme begins. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said the £300m scheme would "provide a boost to the industry and kick-start sales". … [Read more...]
MTI’s Drop Top Ten
May 17, 2009 By 7 Comments
With the summer set to be dry and warm according to our weather people (yeah right!) some of the insiders have come up with a theory this year. It won’t be re-inventing the wheel to predict that the drop top … [Read more...]
Scrappage scheme “chaos”
May 16, 2009 By Leave a Comment
The Daily Mail is reporting that the scrappage scheme designed to kick-start the ailing car industry has descended into chaos. Thousands of motorists may not receive the vehicles they were promised on time because of a Government 'blunder' over paperwork. … [Read more...]
Scrappage boosting prospects but let’s wait for the sales
May 15, 2009 By 3 Comments
We’re hearing from a lot of dealers who are saying that they are getting lots of enquiries regarding the scrappage scheme. Indeed Ford and Honda are talking up the scrappage incentive and Honda in particular are clearly in need of some sales bearing in mind their factory is only just re-opening again after 3 months. It is hoped that we the … [Read more...]
GM to close up to 1,100 dealers in the US
May 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
BBC Business News is reporting that General Motors has announced plans to close up to 1,100 of its dealerships in the US as it desperately tries to cut costs and stave off bankruptcy. In addition, it will sever ties with 450 Saturn, Hummer and Saab dealers. … [Read more...]
Honda Swindon plant staff to vote on pay cut
May 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Workers at Honda's Swindon plant are being asked to vote in favour of a plan to sacrifice pay to safeguard 490 jobs. Under the deal, employees will take a 3% cut in earnings and managers will suffer a bigger hit of 5%. … [Read more...]
Ford Europe talking up the scrappage scheme
May 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Ford Europe are talking up the UK scrappage incentive ahead of the start of the scheme on Monday. "I think the industry will be 150,000 to 200,000 up because of it," said Ingvar Sviggum, Ford of Europe head of sales and marketing. … [Read more...]
Scrappage scheme and V5 forgeries
May 15, 2009 By Leave a Comment
As if the scrappage scheme isn’t attracting enough lukewarm publicity for dealers, now according to HPI (Scrappage scheme scam warning) it could also be the target of fraudsters. Whilst there has in past years been evidence of V5 theft, recently there have been fewer reported cases, however it is feared that some opportunist criminals will try … [Read more...]
25 percent of Chrysler dealers to close
May 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
BBC News reports that US carmaker Chrysler has told a bankruptcy court that it plans to close about one quarter of its dealerships. Chrysler said it wants to shut down 789 out of its current 3,200 dealers. … [Read more...]
Inchcape profits down 69 percent but better than expected
May 14, 2009 By 1 Comment
Car dealer group Inchcape posted a 69 percent drop in first-quarter profit to 20 million pounds ($30.3 million), but said that was better than it had feared due to an improved performance in Singapore and the UK. … [Read more...]
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