NEWS

FRANCHISED workshops have lost customers to independent and fast-fit outlets so far in 2011, new data shows. The findings come from the Castrol Professional Car Service and Repair Trend Tracker report, and find that franchised workshops have lost even more customers to independent and fast-fit outlets so far in 2011. The results indicate that independents and fast-fits [...]

THE RMI’s chairman Colin Parlett has called for a clarification of the MOT system ‘as soon as possible’. Speaking at the federation’s annual dinner at the Dorchester Hotel, London, last night, Parlett called on the Government to ‘reflect on the success of the existing scheme’ and ‘not necessarily follow the example of our European partners. [...]

NEW car registrations were 0.8 per cent down in September, the latest figures from the SMMT reveal. The registrations are ‘stable’ and are ‘in line with expectations’. The SMMT boss has even fronted a video talking about the September figures – see below. 332,476 new cars were registered, just 0.8 per cent down on last [...]

MAY saw new car sales fall by 1.7 per cent the latest figures by the SMMT published today reveal. 150,431 cars were registered in the month, with the market just 1.7 per cent or 2,664 units down on May 2010. Registrations over the first five months of 2011 were down just 7.3 per cent to [...]