NEWS

ENGLAND former cricket captain David Gower will head the RMIF’s line-up of speakers for its 2009 Annual Dinner. The second-highest runs scorer in England Test Match history, Gower is more famous nowadays for taking charge of a team on They Think It’s All Over. Nowadays, he takes charge of Sky’s cricket coverage, so will be [...]

POLICE traffic officers are hitting unsuspecting car dealers with £200 fines, for breaking traffic regulations. Car dealers towing vehicles with a low-load trailer are being stung at the roadside, because they are not fitted with a tachograph. The fines are being imposed because, while the vehicle itself does not weigh more than 3500kg, the weight [...]

USED car retailers can now access fuel economy and running cost info on stock dating back to 2001. This can be used to display new car-style fuel economy labels, to support a scheme being launched to car buyers in November this year. The scheme is to run alongside the well-recognised new car eco green label, [...]

SHOCK RMIF survey results have revealed that nearly half of large vans fail their MOT – deeming them unroadworthy. Stephen Latham from the RMIF said that ‘the MOT failure rate of 44.7 percent for class 7 commercials seems to indicate that owners of these vehicles do not spend on preventative maintenance.’ He suggests they prefer [...]

CAR dealers are being warned to ensure they have a swine flu action plan in place, to cope with any pandemic. The RMIF says that dealers with particular in-house specialisms could be severely hit if there is any outbreak. Sue Robinson, RMIF director, said: ‘Retail motor sector staff are highly skilled, and most dealers and [...]

OFFICIAL recognition of the industry’s struggles has been welcomed by under-pressure car dealers. RMIF chairman Paul Williams represented the industry to the House of Commons Business and Enterprise Committee back in May. Today, the final report has been published – which expresses clear concerns on the part of car dealers. Williams said it was refreshing [...]

INDEPENDENT car dealers are being quizzed on all the key issues affecting them at the moment. The RMIF has launched a big new survey, to get an independent’s eye view on everything that’s important. Issues up for discussion include: •    Business trends •    Customer relations •    Parts supply It’s the latest in the RMIF’s well-received [...]

RMIF chairman Paul Williams has written an open letter to business secretary Lord Mandelson. In it, he asks for assurances on the future of Vauxhall’s 500-strong UK car dealer network. Williams calls on Mandelson not to forget the network in ongoing discussions over the maker’s future. This is because Vauxhall car dealers directly employ a [...]

CAR buyers are returning to car dealer showrooms – and it’s all thanks to the impact of the scrappage scheme. Since the scheme was announced last month, car buyers have shown ‘great interest’ in the scheme, reports car dealer body the RMIF. Car dealers have been reporting ‘a marked increase in enquiries since the scheme [...]

CAR dealer representative the RMIF is calling on ALL car retailers to keep Wednesday 6 May free. At Warwick’s Hilton Hotel, it’s holding a briefing on the Governemtn’s scrap scheme, and how it will affect them. At the brioefing, car dealers will hear outline proposals on exactly how the scheme will work. They’ll also be [...]

CAR DEALERS are campaigning for DVLA commitment to a standard set of service obligations. These would cover expectations for DVLA data provision of: •    Vehicle change of ownership •    Registration •    Taxation •    Private number plates The RMIF is pushing hard for a service level agreement to be adopted, which would spell out just what [...]

CAR dealers have praised the long-awaited arrival of a new car scrap scheme, which will boost the new car market. ‘The introduction of a vehicle scrappage scheme… will boost the new car market, encourage consumers to get back into car showrooms, and reduce the likelihood of employee downsizing in this sector,’ said RMIF chairman Paul [...]

RMIF members have called for the adoption of a new car scrappage scheme in Wednesday’s crunch Budget. This would boost new car sales, remove polluting old cars from the road, and cut new car prices for buyers. The body is thus crossing its fingers that Chancellor Alistair Darling will announce such a scheme on Wednesday [...]

CAR dealers have welcomed the Government’s electric car incentives – but say short term aid is needed too. RMIF director Sue Robinson today demanded more immediate measures… such as, a vehicle scrappage scheme. ‘In the short term the industry needs more direct support,’ she said. ‘With consumer confidence low, the adoption of a car scrappage [...]

RMIF executives have warned vehicle body repairers to urgently review their contacts – or risk going unpaid for work they have carried out. The car dealer body says companies sourcing work from accident management companies should take a close look at contracts, to ensure payment is guaranteed. This is due to the risk of work [...]

CAR dealers will, within days, present a framework to the Government on a new car scrappage scheme. The RMIF reports that the paper will be delivered to the PM soon, on exactly how the scheme could work – and the benefits it would bring to the country. ‘Measures to help revive new car sales in [...]

DEALER representatives the RMIF have said the business rate deferment is not enough to help dealers. While it is welcomed, the body says putting the rate increase on hold would have been better. ‘Shelving the business rate increase until the economy recovers would have been preferable to the lower and deferred rate increase announced by [...]

RMIF training and business division ReMIT has launched a new specialist side – ReMIT Resourcing. This will provide special consultancy to car dealers who want to boost their strategic and operations side. There will also be an army of outsourced specialists who car dealers can call upon, for advice in numerous areas, including: •    People [...]