Author: Aimee Turner
UK-based motor retail software specialist Pinewood is poised to scale rapidly, propelled by a series of major contract wins and completion of the rollout of its dealer management system (DMS) across Lithia’s UK network of fifty dealerships. Lithia’s takeover of Pendragon dealerships and its cope with Pinewood led to some 2,500 Lithia staff within the UK joining Pinewood’s existing 30,000 user customer base, which incorporates former Pendragon staff. However it also positioned Pinewood on an ambitious deployment trajectory supplying to Lithia’s 17,500 users globally – mostly in the US. Success there will probably be critical to the business’ ambitious growth plans. The North…
Automotive fintech Bumper is deepening its partnership with Pinewood.AI by launching a brand new open banking integration that allows automobile retailers to process pay by bank and pay by card transactions directly from their dealer management systems (DMS). Now live across greater than 200 dealerships, the combination allows retailers to send payment requests via email or SMS, enabling customers to finish transactions using their bank accounts, debit/bank cards, or digital wallets akin to Apple Pay and Google Pay. Bumper is the only provider of open banking services inside the Pinewood.AI ecosystem within the UK and builds on its existing partnership…
A serious redevelopment by Lloyd Motor Group has led to the creation of as much as 20 latest jobs, following the merger of its Kia and Volvo operations at its Levens site. Over the past six months, the dealership group has relocated its Morecambe Kia branch to Levens, establishing a joint Kia and Volvo showroom and repair centre. The move is a component of a wider refurbishment project aimed toward enhancing facilities and boosting local employment in South Cumbria and North Lancashire. Mark Smith, head of business at Lloyd South Lakes, said: “This has been an incredible few months for…
Global economic uncertainty is intensifying, fuelled by political tensions, rising tariffs, while ongoing armed conflicts are rattling financial markets and disrupting industrial sectors. In his latest global economic outlook, Dylan Setterfield, head of forecast strategy at Cap HPI, warned of mounting volatility, with recession risks climbing internationally. Crucial to that’s China’s defiant stance within the face of escalating US trade measures. “China has made it clear they are not going to be bullied by US President Donald Trump,” said Setterfield, referencing Beijing’s dramatic response in the shape of 145% tariffs on US imports. This retaliation deepens an already strained trade…
Kia has expanded its EV6 line-up with the introduction of a brand new entry-level model, the EV6 Air standard range, priced from £39,235 on-the-road. Equipped with a 63kWh battery, the rear-wheel-drive EV6 ‘Air’ standard range offers as much as 265 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle with a 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 115mph. A reduced kerb weight (1,955kg) and insurance group rating (29E) further improve affordability. Despite the smaller battery, the brand new model retains the EV6’s high-voltage 800V charging system, enabling ultra-rapid charging from 10% to 80% in only 18 minutes…
Aston Martin is scaling back exports to the US following President Donald Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.While among the tariffs on parts, introduced last month, were eased on Tuesday, the luxurious automotive maker has trimmed its sales targets and is taking a more cautious stance.CEO Adrian Hallmark said on Wednesday that the corporate is “fastidiously monitoring the evolving situation” and is limiting exports while counting on inventory already held by its US dealers. Aston Martin is scaling back exports to the US following President Donald Trump’s imposition of steep tariffs on imported vehicles and parts.…
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has wrapped the second phase of maximum winter testing for its forthcoming all-electric Range Rover, clocking over 45,000 miles across the ice-covered test grounds of Arjeplog, Sweden. The trials are a part of JLR’s bid to determine the EV because the “world’s most capable luxury SUV” ahead of its official reveal later this yr. The event programme places significant emphasis on cold-weather resilience, with particular concentrate on validating JLR’s latest thermal management technology – a proprietary system that maintains optimal battery, powertrain, and cabin temperatures in sub-zero environments. The ThermAssist system, designed in-house, is able to reducing…
A used automobile dealer from Leicestershire has been jailed for greater than three years after being found guilty of multiple counts of fraud regarding the sale of faulty vehicles.Lee David Graham Irons of Sileby was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison following a three-week trial at Leicester Crown Court.He was convicted on 14 charges linked to dishonest automobile sales at his business Reasonably priced Cars Thurcaston. Used automobile dealer sentenced for selling faulty vehicles and falsifying paperwork Convicted of multiple fraud charges for misrepresenting automobile sales Lengthy investigation, a three-week trial for repeat offender A used automobile dealer…
The variety of vehicles on Britain’s roads hit a record high in 2024, climbing 1.4% to 41.96 million, based on fresh Motorparc figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Cars led the charge, with 470,556 more hitting the roads, bringing the full to 36.17 million – the third straight 12 months of growth and the second biggest annual jump since 2016. Behind the rise is a powerful latest automobile market and booming battery EV uptake, with BEVs accounting for nearly 20% of latest registrations last 12 months. Vans also hit a brand new high, up 1.8% to…
Lotus Cars is cutting as much as 270 jobs across its UK operations, citing “volatile and evolving market conditions,” including the impact of recent US tariffs.The corporate, headquartered in Hethel, Norfolk, confirmed that it’s facing significant challenges following the introduction of a 25% import tax on cars and automobile parts from the UK into the US.The brand new tariffs, imposed under US President Donald Trump’s administration, have added to the pressures already facing the sports automobile manufacturer. Lotus Cars is cutting as much as 270 jobs across its UK operations, citing “volatile and evolving market conditions,” including the impact of recent US tariffs.…
