NEWS

RENAULT has admitted axing a large chunk of its dealer network just days before Christmas wasn’t ‘ideal’. The French firm’s PR director visited Car Dealer’s offices yesterday, following the publication of the editor’s blog which hit out at the firm for its catastrophic timing when slashing its network. In the blog, the editor argued that [...]

ALL remaining Renault dealers will get the chance to sell the firm’s ballooning range of EVs from 2013. The French manufacturer is gearing up its EV launches this year which will see four electric models join its recently-decimated range – launches include the Twizy, Fluence, Kangoo ZE and Zoe. Just days before Christmas, Renault announced [...]

AUCTION firm BCA has confirmed it is transferring business from two of its sites to the Bridgewater supercentre. Business will now move from Newport and Tewkesbury to the 20 acre site at Bridgwater just off Junction 23 of the M5. The Bridgwater centre has two auction halls and undercover viewing for 600 vehicles, and offers [...]

BENTLEY bounced back to pre-recession levels of demand during 2011, with strong growth in all major markets. Globally, sales were up 37 per cent to 7003 for the calendar year with sales accelerating as the year progressed. December sales were 1059 (up 69 per cent on the same month in 2010), the best month since [...]

SSANGYONG has announced it has appointed Hares of Rustington and welcomed the dealer to its growing portfolio. The dealership will operate the franchise from its premises in Station Road, Rustington. Paul Williams, CEO of SsangYong Motor UK said: ‘We and our dealers are focused on giving customers great service, so whether buying a new or used [...]

NISSAN’s senior vice president for manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain management in Europe, has been awarded a CBE. Trevor Mann, 50, was awarded the honour in recognition of his services to business in north east England, and he said the award reflected the team effort that has underpinned the success of Nissan’s record-breaking Sunderland Plant. Mann [...]

MANAGING director of Toyota GB has high praise for his network of hard-working dealers… and says the new Yaris is a crucial car. How is Toyota coping with supply problems? It’s been and gone. We’ve had an amazing recovery. We’ve been at full capacity for Europe since June with every plant at 100 per cent, [...]

TO look back over the last 12 months at Car Dealer Magazine, we’ve summarised our year in just under three minutes. Enjoy!

VOLKSWAGEN has announced it intends to make production 25 per cent more environmentally ‘compatible’ by 2018. The German firm has made the announcement as part of its ‘Think Blue. Factory.’ initiative, and applies especially to energy consumption, waste volumes, air-borne emissions, water consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. ‘Sustainable, efficient production is a clear competitive advantage,’ [...]

AN Essex-based Honda technician has been given the keys to a new CR-Z in recognition of his achievement at WorldSkills. John Couldridge brought home a bronze medal for the UK at this WorldSkills competition held in London earlier this year. In recognition, a black CR-Z GT has been presented to him in a surprise ceremony [...]

NISSAN has opened order books for a limited edition version of its X-Trail model. Called ‘Platinum’ just 200 units are on offer, with each one boasting additional equipment and glitz over the X-Trail’s range-topping Tekna model. The front and rear of the car gets extra style with the fitment of additional protection plates located below the [...]

FRENCH marque Renault has revealed the dealers charged with the task of selling its electric vehicle range. Twenty one electric vehicle sites – branded ‘Z.E. Expert’ – are now live and ready to offer the full range of sales and after-sales services for Renault’s electric vehicle customers. And each dealer has benefited from a comprehensive [...]

SSANGYONG Motor UK has appointed a wave of new dealers taking its network total to 34 and 18 service centres. New appointments have been made at Hereford and Wolverhampton, and three dealerships that were previously service agents have also taken up the new car franchise to represent the marque in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, Larkfield, Kent and [...]

JAPANESE firm Mitsubishi has appointed a brand new dealer who will open their doors in Brighouse on January 3. The latest addition to Mitsubishi’s nationwide dealer network is Dews Mitsubishi, and will provide sales, service and parts for the Brighouse area. Dews Motor Group – who were established in 1910 – cover the Huddersfield and [...]

CAP has named Nissan’s Qashqai as ‘Used Car of the Year’ – the second successive year the crossover has won. A panel of judges comprising of used car market and vehicle valuation experts at CAP chose the British-built Qashqai from a shortlist of six models. Points were awarded by the judging panel based on CAP’s criteria of [...]

ONE of Britain’s leading car rental firms will soon be running a fleet of cars that mark the return of iconic British firm MG. Avis Rent a Car has taken delivery of 100 MG6 GT fastbacks and MG6 Magnette sports saloons. It is the first order of its kind for MG. The cars will be put [...]

MAZDA has launched anew accident repair scheme aimed at driving more parts business through its dealer network. Not only will the scheme drive more business through Mazda dealers, but the firm’s approved accident repair centres will also see additional revenue. Called ‘Save It’, the programme is designed to offer discounted repairs on cars that have been [...]

IAN Plummer has decided to leave Renault UK as commercial operations director with effect from December 31, 2011. A press release said Plumber had ’made a significant contribution to the Renault brand in the UK, formerly as managing director of Renault Retail Group, where he led a strong resurgence in the company’s results and, more recently, [...]

COMPARISON website Compare The Market gives advice to dealers on the best practices to bear in mind when their offspring are trying to purchase car insurance. Shopping around for car insurance is one of those tasks that, while being far from anyone’s favorite activity, is one that can save you substantial amounts of money. Searching [...]

SEVENTEEN jobs have been saved by the acquisition of Loders Motor Group by Heritage Automotive Group at the end of last month. Heritage Automotive Group was in a position to buy out the most profitable areas of the Loders business, and it was the continued success of the much-loved Loders Skoda dealership that helped secure [...]