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

Monday December 3

Service advisors have the fastest growing salaries across the automotive industry, a report said. Read more.

Peter Vardy have expanded in Scotland – buying up Porsche, Jaguar and Land Rover dealers in Aberdeen. Read more.

Auto Trader launched a live chat solution for dealers on their website – using technology from Contact At Once. Read more.

Our Wheeler Dealer Award winners were announced, as our event at the Brewery received a big thumbs up from dealers. Read more.

 

Tuesday December 4

France’s car industry reported the worst figures since 1997, according to a report by The Telegraph – with car sales in the country down 28 per cent.

The first ’13’ plate prefix number plates went on sale for the first time by the DVLA – in spite of superstition surrounding the figure.

Ford released pricing details for its new Kuga SUV – starting at £20,895, it undercuts the current model by as much as £1,000.

Citroen’s C3 Picasso mini-MPV received a facelift, hoping to boost the popularity of the French pint-sized people carrier.

 

Wednesday December 5

Essex Auto Group – a previous winner at our 2009 Ewards event – launched a brand new, refreshed website. Read more.

Our Wheeler Dealer Awards raised over £2,700 for cancer charity Macmillan, thanks entirely to the generosity of its attendees. Read more.

Harrogate-based dealer group Nidd Vale spoke of their anger at being placed into administration by their bank. Read more.

George Osbourne revealed the government’s autumn budget update, and announced that the impending 3p fuel tax hike would be scrapped. Read more.

 

Thursday December 6

Paul Everitt announced his departure of the SMMT – leaving the position of chief executive at the association for a position outside of the automotive industry. Read more.

SMMT figures revealed that registrations in the UK grew 11.3 per cent in November, with the Ford Focus knocking the Fiesta off the best sellers top-spot. Read more.

Mitsubishi’s Outlander PHEV will be their ‘most important model yet’, the company’s marketing director told Car Dealer. Read more.

 

Friday December 7

Italian firm Investindustrial won its bid for a stake in Aston Martin, beating Indian firm Mahindra to the 37.5 per cent stake. Read more.

Four dealers joined the Ssangyong network – based in Horsforth near Leeds, Lifton in Cornwall, Skipton in North Yorkshire and Coventry in the West Midlands. Read more.

Toyota’s new Rav4 will start from £23,000, the firm announced – around £1,000 cheaper than the current model.

A steering fault lead to 250,000 BMW X5 and X6 models being recalled worldwide – as the firm warns a steering rod may snap.