Author: Aimee Turner
Dubai-based conglomerate AW Rostamani, the investment group behind AM100 dealership group Brayleys Cars, is ready to accumulate Johnsons Cars to create certainly one of the UK’s top ten automotive retailers.Together, the combined business will operate 79 franchise sales outlets nationwide, representing 21 automotive brands and employing nearly 2,000 staff.The deal which is predicted to finish by the tip of June through AW Rostamani’s Athenaeum International Holdings also includes the £936 million-turnover business’ TPS Centres, Fleet Services, and group support functions. Dubai-based conglomerate AW Rostamani, the investment group behind AM100 dealership group Brayleys Cars, is ready to accumulate Johnsons Cars to create certainly…
Cazoo’s high-octane rise, fuelled by sky-high valuations and relentless marketing, made it a household name almost overnight. But beneath the polished ads and stadium sponsorships, razor-thin margins, an unsustainable inventory model and a growing pile of losses ultimately led to its demise. By June last yr, the remnants of the business were snapped up by Motors, a more traditional online marketplace player trying to breathe latest life into the brand. AM caught up with Barry Judge, Motors chief executive, to debate the business’ strategy on the back of the acquisition. Motors has been a key player within the used automobile space for…
The National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) is urging sellers to maximise the residual value of their vehicles by taking full advantage of its used grading system to ensure maximum asset performance. “NAMA’s Used Vehicle Grading Scheme is allowing sellers the power to unlock additional value and achieve significantly higher outcomes at auction, through small, cost-effective improvements to vehicle condition” said Paul Hill, NAMA spokesperson. Hill said that by simply investing in cosmetic refurbishment to maneuver a vehicle’s grade from a 4 to a 2, sellers can achieve a big, measurable return on investment. Using an example of a vehicle…
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…