NEWS

The NFDA has written to all dealer councils in the UK outlining their concerns about manufacturer contracts. The National Franchise Dealer Association is concerned that manufacturer contracts are currently being issued around new block exemption rules. The letter urges the councils to alert their network of the potential impact of these changes as well as [...]

IN response to April’s registrations figures, the RMI has said the April ‘market performed relatively well.’ April saw registration figures down by 7.4 per cent – the tenth successive decline in volumes. Sue Robinson, director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association  - which represents franchised car  and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK and [...]

THE latest research from the SMMT reveals that the average dealership could save £10k a year by cutting its energy use. The findings, published in the ‘Dealer Energy Efficiency Guide’, written by an independent energy efficiency expert on behalf of the SMMT in conjunction with the RMI and the Carbon Trust, shows ways dealers can [...]

GOVERNMENT spending cuts was the reason for October’s slump in new car sales says the RMI. Yesterday the SMMT released figures which revealed that new cars were down 22.2 per cent in October – the worst figures since May 2009. Concerns amongst buyers about Government spending cuts and the economy in gerneral were the reasons, [...]

THE SMMT and the RMI have joined forces with the Carbon Trust in an attempt to help dealers be more green. The project aims to help motor retailers reduce their carbon emissions by 50,000 tonnes each year and reduce their annual energy bills by more than £6m. The Carbon Trust will visit 30 dealers to [...]

RMI director Sue Robinson says boosting car buyer confidence will be key to avoiding a sales plunge. Latest figures for July show a decline of over 13 percent. Retail sales have been a big factor in this decline, she said – reflecting the worries people have because of job uncertainty. Government spending cuts are also [...]

SMMT and RMI experts have teamed up to help car dealers navigate the maze of new CO2 emissions red tape. The government Carbon Reduction Commitment initiative went live in April and is set to affect many UK car dealers. It applies to any business using more than £500k of electricity every year, and offers financial [...]

SMALLER independent car dealers are to see longer term business benefits from the scrappage scheme. The RMI’s Independent Garage Association division said the priority now should be on ensuring they are equipped to capitalise on this. Jonas Zambakides, IGA Chairman explained how. It’s all about ‘access to technical information. ‘The revitalisation of the new car [...]

RMI membership being more relevant to car dealers than ever was the headline message of the RMI Annual Dinner. Chairman Paul Williams said that once small business see this, they will realise ‘they genuinely cannot afford to be a member.’ Williams spoke at last night’s annual Dorchester Hotel Park Lane bash, with a list of [...]

SEPTEMBER’S big sales increase is ‘largely due to the vehicle scrappage scheme,’ says the RMI. Director Sue Robinson praised the Government for responding to calls from car dealers. ‘The Government’s response to RMI pressure to extend the scheme is stimulating the motor industry as a whole. ‘Car dealers are reporting that the scheme is continuing [...]

AUDI, Toyota and Kia are the best car franchises in the UK to hold, reveals the latest NFDA survey. The bi-annual car dealer satisfaction survey has just been published, with big gains for the Korean brand Kia. It’s leapt ahead of more established rivals, as dealers rate highly its advertising, sales incentives, new model introductions, [...]

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 [...]

SCRAPPAGE extensions have reportedly now been rejected by Lord Mandelson, reports the NFDA. This has ‘bitterly disappointed’ RMI NFDA chairman Paul Williams. Particularly as it came ‘without even the courtesy of a meeting with the industry to discuss the issue.’ Car dealers have been calling for a meeting with Government for some time now, to [...]

CAR dealers should appeal to their local MPs in order to win an extension to the scrappage scheme. The RMI NFDA is advising all car dealers get in touch with their MPs, as part of a concerted campaign. Just the job to really get Government thinking, reckons NFDA chairman Paul Williams. ‘With encouragement from dealers [...]

CAR dealers should make sure they set realistic reserve prices for car auction stock, says the SMA. This is because the market may soften in the next few weeks, says the RMI division. SMA head Louise Wallis thus warns car dealers not to become complacent. ‘Sellers at motor auctions have enjoyed the best possible conditions [...]

GOVERNMENT should agree to meet with car dealers as soon as possible, to discuss extending scrappage. The NFDA is pushing for the extension, following the enormous success enjoyed by the scheme since it was launched in May. ‘To say the scheme has been successful since its introduction would be a mass understatement,’ said Paul Williams, [...]

USED cars are hard to source – but car dealers should not think auctions have become a blind alley. The RMI’s Society of Motor Auctions admits the used car market is booming in 2009, and risks becoming a victim of its own success. Thus, said SMA head Louise Wallis, ‘dealers need to look at all [...]

SCRAPPAGE is still some way off revealing its true positive boost to new car sales, say car dealers. The RMI reports that the SMMT sales figures for June are positive – but car dealers can expect even more gains in coming months. ‘The true impact of the vehicle scrappage scheme will be felt over the [...]

EFFICIENT management of labour and time will be key to independent garages’ future growth. This, reports the RMI, will help independents to benefit from changing customer patters. The Independent Garage Association expects an increase in customer volumes to independents, as a result of the recession. But many smaller car dealers and car garages will not [...]