A CAR supermarket has been forced to write off more than 700 cars after a flood caused extensive damage to its premises. Motor Depot’s six-acre site on Livingstone Road, Hessle, was one of the biggest casualties of Thursday’s freak tidal surge, at one point becoming submerged in more than three feet of water. As a [...]
Ford wants to steal new SUV customers from rivals
THE Blue Oval is hoping its new SUV will appeal to a raft of conquest buyers. The new EcoSport is due to go on sale in the second quarter of 2014 and although Ford is new to the SUV market, the company expects to shift 4,000 units next year. ‘We are extremely new to this [...]
SsangYong tempts Chevrolet dealers
JUST days after the announcement that General Motors is axing the Chevrolet brand from Europe, SsangYong has signalled its interest to talk to any Chevrolet UK dealer considering its future. Despite offering a completely different product range Chevrolet dealers are used to, the Korean firm thinks it has a strong offering which would appeal. ‘SsangYong [...]
Meridian buys up two Citroen dealerships
MERIDIAN Motor Group has acquired its first two Citroen dealerships. The deal will see Meridian acquire two showrooms and an accident repair centre in Morecambe and Kendal from John Wilding Limited – the deal value is undisclosed. The business plans to retain all current staff at the dealerships which will initially trade as John Wilding [...]
Bristol Street Motors waves goodbye to stalwart
BRISTOL Street Motors Ford Gloucester is preparing to say an emotional goodbye to one of their longest serving colleagues. John Hinton, 63, from Gloucester, has retired from the site after 37 years of working for Bristol Street Motors. Hinton, previously a television salesman, progressed through the company after beginning his career as a commercial truck [...]
Peugeot dealer counts the cost of car crash
A CAR dealership in Devizes is counting the cost of repairs after a vehicle crashed into its forecourt. A man was arrested on suspicion of drink driving and later for dangerous driving after colliding with the vehicles at Fussell Wadman Peugeot in Wiltshire on November 30. According to The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald, a black [...]
Blog: GM rains on Ford’s parade
GENERAL Motors axeing the Chevrolet name came as a surprise this week. Not because the American brand is set to disappear, but more because of the timing of the announcement. On Wednesday night, I waved off Leon Poultney – part of the Blackball Media team – who was on his way to the Continent to [...]
Blog: Why YOU should be getting involved in next year’s Used Car Awards
MONDAY night’s Used Car Awards and Ewards certainly topped our leader board for this year’s ultimate event and that’s exactly why you should be entering next year. The Brewery was once again the perfect setting for this year’s awards and as the clock struck 6.30pm, our guests and nominees were soon arriving in fine style [...]
Autumn Statement delivers good news for dealers
YESTERDAY’S Autumn Statement delivered by Chancellor George Osborne contained a number of new measures that are likely to have a positive impact on the motor trade. The changes include a freeze in fuel duty, which is good news for dealers and the customers, abolition of the paper tax disc, which of course will simplify administration [...]
This week on the Car Dealer Forum
THIS week on the Car Dealer Forum, DPF removals on diesel vehicles will lead to MoT failures in February 2014 and dealers also ask: Should auctions be made to give private buyers a warranty? DPF removal will cause MoT failures from February 2014 Jamie Edmonds from HPI quoted Road Minister Robert Goodwil: ‘I am very [...]
Electric car market continues to move slowly
APPROXIMATELY 79 per cent of UK drivers believe the government should be doing more to make alternativelly- fuelled powered vehicles more affordable. Results from Auto Trader’s latest survey of 3,000 motorists for its latest Owners’ Guide revealed that 74 per cent think the government should be doing more to publicise the benefits of alternativelly-fuelled vehicles. [...]
Suzuki announces dealer award winners
SUZUKI has recognised a number of outstanding retailers in its annual national dealer conference. Hosted by Katie Derham, the television and radio presenter, dealerships were recognised for their achievements in the motor trade over the past 12 months. All dealers were assessed on seven criteria and scored to determine who would be the winner in [...]
New dealership opens at Kidlington Motor Park
HARTWELL Plc has announced the completion of its £1.5m refurbished multi-franchised dealership at Kidlington Motor Park near Oxford. The investment followed the group’s decision to accommodate Citroen, Renault, Dacia and Seat all underneath one roof. Seat is the latest addition to the dealership and the Motor Park is now home to a six-car showroom, along [...]
