NEWS

MCLAREN Automotive says its dealer network plans are almost in place with the first retailers announced soon. 35 dealers will open in 19 countries by next year – and McLaren will name the first 23 at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. There are going to be 12 in Europe, with the UK represented by [...]

MAZDA says its current car dealer network offers the strongest coverage in its 42-year UK history with 160 franchises. This means Mazda is believed to boast a record-low ‘unfilled territory’ score of just three open points. It comes following the opening of 20 new car dealers over the past year. This is despite the challenges [...]

PORSCHE specialist car dealer Dove House is looking for a Porsche service manager with big aspirations. The Rushden retailer is expanding into the aftersales arena, by building its own in-house workshop. This is being constructed right now – but the search for the right person to manage it continues. That’s because the final candidate will [...]

PROVEN Motor Company has taken up the Kia sales franchise after a decade of IM Group partnership. The Haslemere dealer is now to be boosted by ‘significant investment’ from both Kia and Proven. This will produce a new 12 car showroom and a modern service bay. Proof that the deal is the right one has [...]

CAR dealers are feeling far more confident about their profit margins reveals a survey by the RMIF. 4 in 5 car dealers say they are happier about the money they’re making on the cars they sell. This has been coupled with an improvement in the relationship with the franchise manufacturers, too. This has led the [...]

DAIHATSU dealers are being offered the Great Wall motors franchise from China, Car Dealer believes. Car Dealer Magazine has heard rumours the sweetener from IM Group has come after imports of Daihatsu cars were halted. Dealer insiders tell us the new franchise is one of several options open to Daihatsu dealers, who can also choose to [...]

SUZUKI is getting closer to the 150 UK car dealer landmark with the appointment of a new franchise in Newbury. Whitequay Suzuki opens on Monday 23 November, to boost its three-strong profile that’s been trading since 1991. Last year, the group sold 2000 new and used cars – and is hoping the addition of Suzuki [...]

VOLVO wants 110 UK car dealers by the end of 2010: with two more new openings, it’s well on track. The Swedish company is now represented in Chesterfield and Billericay. These new Volvo dealers will be joined by ‘a number of other dealers’ during 2010, says the firm: some existing, some new to the franchise. [...]

MITSUBISHI franchise has been busy during 2009, recruiting dealers to fill its key open points. And it’s been something of a flurry for the Japanese firm. Not only have there been 11 new car dealers joining the brand this year, but 6 of those opened their doors this quarter! Giving the franchising department a challenge [...]

PROTON has been officially recognised as a ‘top’ franchise in the latest and highly influential NFDA Survey. The firm came out best of all in SIX categories. These included: •    Fairness of manufacturers’ policy for supply/stocking of cars •    Quality of technical support •    Availability of parts The firm also shared top-ranking with Toyota in [...]

VERTU has taken on the Fiat franchise for the first time, to expand its 54-outlet UK footprint. Former Brooklyn sites in Cheltenham and Worcester have been earmarked for the Italian brand. ‘We have long wanted to add the Fiat car franchise to our portfolio,’ said group CEO Robert Forrester. ‘This is a very exciting development for [...]

RELATIONSHIPS between car dealers and their franchise manufacturer have improved this year – due to the recession. Even better, the vast majority of dealers are becoming happier over their profit return! It’s all because of tough times, says RMI NFDA director Sue Robinson. These are forging closer working bonds – which are being reflected in [...]

HYUNDAI has appointed no less than 10 new car dealer franchises, taking its UK-wide coverage to 141. The Korean brand is on a roll at the moment, following its smash-hit scrappage success… so the double-figure roll-call of appointments is much needed! Hyundai is now represented by: •    Whitehouse Maidstone Hyundai •    Chorley Hyundai in Blackpool [...]