HERE ARE the most interesting and talked-about stories over the past five days, collated and summarised by us.

Monday, January 28

Jaguar started building its XF model in India – following the start of the Land Rover Freelander 2’s production there in 2011. Read more.

GM and PSA announced further details of their development tie-ins – confirming that the next MPVs that Opel/Vauxhall, Peugeot and Citroen will produce will all share platforms. Read more.

Land Rover opened a brand new exclusive customer handover centre on the site of its factory in Solihull – offering buyers exclusive ways to be handed the keys to their new Range Rovers. Read more.

Car Dealer magazine reader and Wheeler Dealers presenter Mike Brewer opened his own dealership, based in Sheffield – located on Bramall Lane. Read more.

Tuesday, January 29

Kia unveiled a Golf GTI rival in the form of its pro_cee’d GT – with a 201bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine under the bonnet. Read more.

Mercedes-Benz, Ford and Renault-Nissan agreed to share core technology in the creation of fuel cell electric vehicles – meaning that each maker will produce FCEVs using the same tech. Read more.

Caterham Cars were forced to move from their original dealership – located in their namesake town of Caterham, Surrey – after plans to turn the building into retirement flats were revealed. Read more.

Southern dealership group Whitequay Ltd went into administration, after the business hit financial trouble. Read more.

 

Wednesday, January 30

Manheim had a top performing week – their best in 92 years, according to the firm – with over 9,000 vehicles changing hands across the firm’s 17 UK sites and online channel. Read more.

A DJ hung up his decks, leaving his beloved radio show to work in a Bedfordshire Nissan dealership. Read more.

Budget brand Dacia revealed that residual values for its models may be far better than expected – with CAP suggesting that the models may not depreciate at an adverse rate. Read more.

 

Thursday, January 31

Audi closed its Newton Abbot approved used dealership – sending a letter to previous customers that suggested its shut-down was to make way for other improvements within the South West group. Read more.

New tyres could change colour to demonstrate that they’re worn beyond legal levels, according to inventors Gao Fenglin and Zhou Buyi. Read more.

A Dorchester-based salesman is on his way to 7,000 sales before his 70th birthday, as his sales ledgers – dating back to 1977 – can ably confirm. Read more.

 

Friday, February 1

Renault UK announced its new managing director: Ken Ramirez, who replaces Thierry Sybord and transfers from Nissan’s Caribbean division. Read more.

Over a quarter of a million cars were traded on Autotrade-mail last year, the company revealed – with Ford, Audi and Land Rover the most searched for manufacturers on the site. Read more.

Troubled black cab maker Manganese Bronze finally had its fate sealed, as administrators PricewaterhouseCoopers successfully sell the company to Chinese car maker Geely. Read more.

Cambria Motors PLC acquired three new franchises, as it purchased Chelmsford-based County Motor Works – who have Vauxhall, Alfa Romeo and Chrysler-Jeep products in their portfolio. Read more.