Author: Tim Rose
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…
This yr is a period of reorientation for MG Motor UK. After 4 years of heavy deal with the fleet, Motability and rental markets, which delivered rapid growth in its overall automotive parc, it has its sights on the steadier, stagnant even, retail recent automotive market.It’s positive news for MG dealers, who’re also beginning to see the advantages of a bigger 1-5 yr automotive parc and the opportunities that provides them in service, repair and used automotive sales.That doesn’t mean MG will accept a drop in recent automotive registrations, which neared 82,000 in 2024, well ahead of value-market rivals Citroen,…
BMW chairman Dr Norbert Reithofer is stepping down from the business today. Reithofer has been an architect of BMW Group’s strategic success for greater than 20 years. In 2000 he joined its board of management, and in 2015 he became chairman of its supervisory board. The corporate, which incorporates the Rolls Royce Motor Cars and Mini brands in addition to BMW cars and motorcycles, said its success in recent many years “is inseparable from the efforts of Dr Reithofer.” Reithofer launched the BMW i electromobility brand, accelerated digitalisation and played a key role in driving international expansion. Stefan Quandt, deputy chairman…
Full hybrids and mild hybrids are matching petrols for speed of sale within the UK’s used automobile market during April, based on Auto Trader monitoring. The automobile sales marketplace also reports that April 2025 is achieving the fastest turn of used cars on record, with stock remaining on forecourts for a median of just 25 days to this point this month. Demand is remaining particularly high for 5-10-year-old cars, which have been consistently the fastest selling age bracket over the past 12 months. This age groups is selling in only 23 days on average, nevertheless 3-5-year-old cars have accelerated to match…
The UK’s motor finance industry must wait until the summer to listen to whether the Supreme Court will overturn the notion that lenders and their partner automotive dealerships have been unfair with their customers due to finance commission paid to dealers. On the close of the third and final day of hearings on the Supreme Court this week, examining appeals lodged by Close Brothers, owner of Close Brothers Motor Finance, and FirstRand Bank, owner of Motonovo Finance, against Court of Appeal rulings, the president of the Supreme Court Lord Reed told the court to not expect a judgement until July at…
The Fiat Grande Panda is entering the growing small EV segment with a daring design, practical features, and competitive pricing. Aimed toward rivals just like the Renault 5 E-Tech and Hyundai Inster, the Grande Panda marks the start of a brand new era for Fiat’s Panda lineup, built on Stellantis’ Smart Automotive platform. It’s about time too, because the Fiat brand has suffered within the UK and now the pressure is on to extend its relevance to city automobile and supermini buyers who’ve previously loved Fiat a lot. The Grande Panda Electric is accessible in (RED) and La Prima trims, with starting…