News - Page 1642

Computer software supplier Arcs is heralding an end to the approved repairer concept and expensive estimating systems with the launch of three products, including an internet-based estimating programme.

The newly formed Association of Body Repairers (ABR) has been coolly received by rival trade bodies the Retail Motor Industry Federation and the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association

Online car sales are stripping manufacturers of their protective clothing, leaving them exposed to deal direct with customers.

The latest insurance industry merger proposal, confirmed last week by Norwich Union and CGU, has left repairers contemplating the potential business impact.

Peugeot intends to steer increasing volumes of accident repair work through its franchised bodyshops with its new online insurance service.

UK new car buyers are becoming increasingly attracted to the internet, but use it to window shop rather than to buy according to research by Fletcher Research.

Avis Europe is to launch an internet site in late summer to dispose of its ex-rental cars. The move could result in 12,000 nearly-new cars a year in the UK being offered direct to the public.

Manchester-based RRG, the Toyota/Lexus and Peugeot group, has returned pre-tax profits of £2.1m for 1999 on a turnover of £150m, despite tough trading conditions late in the year.

Pendragon, which tops the AM100, is to lead the motor retail group fightback against the growing wave of internet-linked cut-price car sellers.

East Anglian dealer group John Grose has promoted Tim Adjemian to new car sales manager for the Ford central marketing area.

New Stratstone of Mayfair managing director Keith Woods has ambitious plans to make the dealership the epitome for “everything Jaguar and Aston Martin”.

Toyota hopes to offset last year's slide in fleet registrations by spreading sales across its dealer network and intensifying support through a newly-appointed fleet team.

Geoffrey Long believes the enthusiasm he brings to his new director's position at Sanderson Bramall Motor Group will rub off on his staff.

Steven Landry has been appointed president of Chrysler Jeep Automotive - Europe, taking responsibility for sales, marketing and service of Chrysler and Jeep products.

The wealthy Thames Valley region spreading from Marlborough in the west to the Essex estuary covers the traditional stockbroker belts of Surrey, Berkshire and South Buckinghamshire. It is Ford's own country, the carmaker employs thousands in the region, so it's hardly surprising that Thames outperforms national sales. The surprise though is the appearance of BMW in the top 10.

In the second of the series looking at sales trends across the UK region by region, the spotlight falls on the Thames Valley. The analysis of the figures from DVLA has been carried out by automotive analysts Polk. It covers new car registrations, used car sales and vehicles in operation (the car parc) by manufacturer and model. All figures and tables relate to the period from July 1998 to June 1999.

Roger King is leaving the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders after eight years following his failure to be appointed chief executive.

Claims by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders that new car buyers are returning to the market have been dismissed as “rubbish” by franchised dealers.

Nobody should be surprised that the year began as strongly as it did - all the signs were there beforehand. Nor has the upturn been entirely trade-led, as some had feared. Re-stocking was always going to improve matters for a time but had there been no retail interest everyone would have been in big trouble.

When they are setting residual values many forecasters do a great deal of research on the car itself. They ask the right questions, such as what market will this car fit into as a used vehicle, how desirable will it seem to the people in that market, how suitable will the spec, trim, colour, fuel and insurance groups be for those people?

Ford hopes to attract more all-makes vehicles, including older models, into its 300-strong Rapid Fit fast-fit network after upgrading its servicing programme.

A leading industry expert has hit out at the insurance companies whose mergers have caused chaos in the bodyshop industry.

Dealers are unanimously reporting a distinct shortage of quality used cars available for stock, despite leading auction houses enjoying brisk trade to kick-start the new year. The period between Christmas and the first couple of weeks of January, traditionally a quiet time, has seen remarkable interest in the used car market.

Forecasters, by their very nature, tend to take the pessimistic view of future residuals - they are happier when things turn out better than expected than vice versa. Unfortunately, however, it is these forecasters who tend to make themselves heard best because doom and gloom makes better headlines.

New car registration figures for last year have been branded a “sham” by the Consumers' Association after the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders claimed 1999 was “a successful year”, reaching its sales target of 2.2m units.

Mitsubishi has followed up its new year price reductions with a series of customer-focused sales initiatives which begin this month.