Author: Tim Rose

It’s Dealer AI Week at AM-online, aimed to assist UK motor retailers understand more of the chance presented by this modern technology. During this five-day event, run in association with AG Analytics, AutoTrader, CitNOW Group, Keyloop, Motortech AI and Novaco, AM-online and our Dealer AI Week partners will present a range of reports, news articles, opinion pieces and video interviews. As well as, on Tuesday 16 there might be a dedicated webinar featuring industry experts, and registered audience members will have the ability to have interaction with the panel. This special themed week goals to equip dealership professionals with the clarity and confidence to embrace AI solutions and show how…

Carmaker Lotus has revealed it’s cutting 550 jobs within the UK “to secure a sustainable future” as global aspects are leading its Vision 80 technique to falter. The China-owned company, which has its headquarters and a sports automotive factory in Norfolk plus an engineering and technology base in Warwickshire, said the step is vital, however it stays committed to the UK. After it was bought by China’s Geely Holdings in 2017, and it announced its Vision 80 plan to ramp up automotive sales and profits before its eightieth birthday in 2028, it has launched a series of latest models, a…

The Financial Conduct Authority says it would now work hard to “bring greater certainty for consumers firms and investors” following the landmark judgement by the UK’s Supreme Court regarding the ways motor finance firms have paid commission to automotive dealers. The patron credit regulator was already looking into historic use of discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs), which it banned in 2021, following some Financial Ombudsman Service rulings when other rulings judged by the Court of Appeal brought that work to a halt. It had already hinted that it found there was some “issues” to consumers from DCAs and, depending whether the…

Two salespeople who suffered racial discrimination while working on the Stellantis&You dealer group have been awarded hundreds of kilos in damages. The AM100 dealer group must pay Adebayo (Anthony) Oguntokun £60,500 in damages plus £27,000 interest and £13,000 for future medical treatment after an employment tribunal ruled he had been the victim of significant racial discrimination while working at its dealership in Staples Corner, London. It must also pay Fardowsa (Fathia) Omar, who worked at the identical dealership as a sales executive, £58,000 damages plus about one other £196,000 for lack of earnings, interest costs and future medical costs, because the tribunal…

Halliwell Jones and Lloyd Motor Group are investing to make sure North of England motorists have higher access to the specialist 4×4 automobile brand Ineos Automotive. Lloyd Motor Group is becoming the official Ineos dealer for Newcastle and the North East of England, providing test drives of recent and used Grenadier 4x4s at its existing Lloyd Select showroom in Newcastle, plus opening two sites near Carlisle under a Lloyd AllRoad specialist 4×4 brand. The primary site is ideally placed to serve the agricultural and farming communities, situated near an agricultural auction site. A second recent retail hub for Carlisle will open to provide customers…

Because the motor industry’s own charity Ben marks its one hundred and twentieth yr of being here to support past and present automotive employees and their families, Automotive Management asked chief executive Rachel Clift to stipulate its strategic vision. Ben is within the strategy of stepping away from provision of care homes to grow to be focused on the health of the automotive family in our every day lives. Tell us more about how that has come about. With our decision to effectively divest and transfer our care services and retirement village to acceptable operators, effectively skilled providers of care…

Automotive Management recently took delivery of a MG ZS for a protracted term review to evaluate the opportunities it offers the UK’s MG dealerships. MG has gained significant market share within the UK since 2020 largely by offering great value for money to personal buyers and fleet customers alike, and this ZS is certainly one of the kingpins of its sales success. Badged Hybrid+, it’s powered by a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine and e-motor, helped by a 0.9kWh battery that runs the automobile in EV mode for considerable periods. It’s quite satisfying seeing the rev counter drop to zero when cruising…

Ford dealerships across Europe can expect to see renewed focus from the brand on competitive recent cars in the longer term.Jim Farley, Ford’s chief executive and the leader who in 2016 drove Ford’s European operations to record profitability, record margins and increased sales while he was then execitive vp of Ford Europe, has reportedly told its major franchisees that he’s keen to restart development of latest cars tailored to Europe’s customers.Strong consumer demand for stylish SUVs, which generally also had higher margins for manufacturers than saloons and hatchbacks, plus the necessity to secure profitability and efficiency through global products, combined to…

Dacia found its area of interest in providing sensible compact latest cars at sensible prices to retail buyers. Now its newest launch, the Bigster, takes it into latest territory. Dacia Bigster will compete within the mid-size SUV segment against big-selling cars corresponding to Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai, already popular with private buyers and Motability customers. It’s tough competition indeed, but according to Dacia’s brand mission, the Bigster was designed to supply maximum value. It provides lots of space, an attention-grabbing design and decent equipment for so much cheaper than just about all of its rivals. Prices of Dacia Bigster start at…

Lotus has assured its dealer partners and customers that it would remain a British brand with its headquarters and sports automotive production within the UK. It responded to reports that it’d close its base in Hethel, Norfolk, with a press release that the UK is the “heart” of the brand and it stays its largest latest automotive market in Europe, and it added that it’s “continuing normal operations” and has no plans to shut any factory. Some industry observers imagine the article within the Financial Times on the weekend, which quoted unnamed sources from Lotus, had a desired effect, because the…