NEWS

AUSTRALIAN car dealer John Grant Motors is right at the centre of a big political storm down under. An e-mail has apparently emerged, which claims that PM Kevin Rudd tried to help push through a government loan for a friend. The friend happens to be car dealer John Grant, says the BBC. What’s more, the [...]

OFFICIAL sales figures today show the big positive effect scrappage is having on new car sales. More than 60,000 orders have been placed so far – despite the scheme being ‘live’ for less than a month. ‘These figures speak for themselves,’ business secretary Lord Mandelson told the BBC. ‘Consumers know a good deal when they [...]

HPI has updated its CO2 Certificate information sheet for used cars, reflecting Government changes. Since 1 May, new cars have used an extended colour-coded CO2 information system. The number of bands has increased from 7 to 13. HPI has now reflected these in its info sheet for used cars. What’s more, it means car dealers [...]

GOVERNMENT ministers could give cash aid to Vauxhall, if it helps secure the car maker’s UK future. The BBC reports that Lord Mandelson has ‘not ruled out making a financial contribution’. Reports come as the German Government nears announcing a preferred bidder for Vauxhall’s partner, Opel. BBC sources report that four firms are in the [...]

NUMBER crunchers have been to work, and discovered that Government will profit big from the scrappage scheme! The Government, as we know, is ploughing £300 million into the scheme. This is half what car firms predicted. At the last minute, Ministers decided car makers would have to pick up half the tab. And how they’re [...]

CAR buying website Parkers has FOUND Government is actually going to MAKE money from the scrap scheme! The shock revelation proves that the Treasury will profit from every single car sold through the scheme. This is because of the VAT returns each sale brings. These far outweigh the cash incentive the Government is putting in [...]

CAR dealers have welcomed findings of an in-depth study into what the future holds for the UK car industry. The Government-supported New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team has just reported back, with a series of key findings for car dealers to assess. Recommendations include: •    Forming joint industry-Government council •    Focus UK R&D on low-carbon [...]

CAR owners can now be patriotic and fly their country’s flag – thanks to a change in the law. Car number plate suppliers are now allowed to produce registration plates with the Union flag, Cross of St George, Saltire or Red Dragon of Wales. Transport secretary Geoff Hoon has pressed through the change, which he’s [...]

GOVERNMENT risks the initial positive impetus of the scrap scheme being washed out, as doubts creep in. A lack of clarity over the details of the scheme has meant speculation over the weekend has been rampant – with many contradictory messages flooding the car market. Car dealers, manufacturers and buyers are currently in a state [...]

GOVERNMENT subsidies of up to £5000 are to make green electric cars more affordable and viable. The plans come as part of a £250 million plan to boost low-carbon transport – and are separate to the rumoured new car scrappage scheme. Reports by the BBC suggest the £5k subsidy will help promote electric cars, which [...]

CAR dealers have taken their call for a new vehicle scrappage scheme to the heart of Government. An online petition has been set up, imploring the PM to launch the new car sales incentive. Set up by digital marketing specialists iDealer, the petition calls for the Government to offer buyers £2000 towards the purchase of [...]

DEATHS on the road would be saved ‘in their hundreds’ says the AA, if a scrappage scheme is introduced. AA President Edmund King has written to Government ministers, to point out just how safe modern cars are. The scheme would take old cars off the road and replace them with safe new ones. In a [...]

SCRAPPAGE plans for new cars are gathering momentum – so we sought the views of an industry insider. Car Dealer Magazine contacted our source from Kia, who was ahead of the curve in predicting the importance of the scheme at the Geneva Motor Show. ‘It does seem to be growing large on the radar – [...]