Author: Tom Seymour
FixMyCar has accomplished a management buyout from parent company Niterra for an undisclosed sum, returning the net repair platform to independent ownership. The business, which operates as WhoCanFixMyCar.com, was founded 14 years ago and bought by Niterra, formerly NGK Spark Plug, in May 2023. Following a strategic review of its portfolio, Niterra said a management buyout represented an “appropriate long-term ownership structure” for FixMyCar, enabling it to proceed developing independently and scale inside its market. The buyout team comprises Amanda Webb, who stays chief executive, Ben Darby, who moves from marketing director to chief operating officer, and Matt Wrankmore, who…
Kia UK will host nationwide First Drive Weekend events for the EV2 from April 16 to June 27 across almost its entire 190-strong dealer network. The programme will give customers early access to check drive the brand new fully electric compact SUV ahead of first deliveries later this 12 months. Events will run from Thursday to Saturday at participating retailers, with limited pre-booked one-hour slots available. 4 EV2 42.2kWh cars might be allocated to every location, allowing as much as 4 simultaneous test drives. Each appointment will begin with a one-to-one walkaround with a product expert, followed by a 30-minute…
Mercedes-Benz Vans UK announced its 2025 Dealer of the Yr award recipients at its annual ceremony on February 24 in London, highlighting performance across sales growth, aftersales results and customer satisfaction. Retailers were assessed against defined benchmarks spanning industrial performance and customer metrics, reflecting the pressure on margins in a competitive van market. The business said this 12 months’s results were separated by exceptionally small margins, underlining consistently high standards across the network. Awards were presented across two categories, Best Sales Team and Best Customer Service Team, with Gold, Silver and Bronze honours in each. Euro Commercials wins Gold Within…
A nationwide survey commissioned by Bridgestone has found that while pricing stays vital, motorists are increasingly valuing relationships, trust and overall experience when selecting where to service their vehicles. The research, based on responses from 2,000 UK drivers, showed that 48% still regard product pricing because the most important reason they continue to be loyal to a garage. Nonetheless, the findings indicate that cost is simply a part of the image. Greater than a 3rd of drivers, 35%, said they return to the identical garage due to the relationship they’ve with staff. Meanwhile, 29% proceed to make use of the…
MG has introduced the MG4 EV Urban to the UK market, expanding its electric hatchback line-up with a brand new entry-level model aimed toward family buyers and first-time EV customers. The MG4 EV Urban range starts at £23,495 for the Comfort Standard Range, rising to £25,495 for the Comfort Long Range and £27,995 for the Premium Long Range. Alongside the Urban launch, MG has refreshed the MG4 EV range for 2026, specializing in improved interior quality, upgraded technology and prolonged driving range. Prices have also been reduced, with the MG4 EV Premium Long Range now ranging from £29,995, £2,750 lower…
FOW Automotive Supermarket is marking its 67th anniversary in 2026 following a record sales performance in 2025 and its strongest ever monthly end in January. The family-owned used automobile retailer, now in its third generation, said 2025 sales exceeded 12,500 units, representing the best annual volume in the corporate’s history. Momentum built through the yr, with September, October, November and December all setting recent monthly records. Kevin Cartwright, group general manager at FOW, said: “As a business we’re delighted with last yr’s record sales volumes. “We’ve made significant changes within the last two to 3 years to streamline and strengthen…
Chinese brand Nio is paving the way in which for its UK launch this yr following the beginning of right-hand drive (RHD) mass production of its electric Firefly supermini. Firefly is Nio’s sub-brand which is being positioned as an all-electric rival for Mini and the Renault 5. Nio has already launched left-hand drive versions within the Netherlands, Norway, and Belgium and has been gearing as much as launch within the UK for a while. The Firefly is powered by a 143hp motor, a 42.1 kWh LFP battery and has a range of roughly 270 miles. 5 The primary RHD Firefly models will…
Smart UK has appointed Louise O’Sullivan as its recent chief executive, taking over the role effective from February 1. O’Sullivan replaces Jason Allbutt, who’s returning to Mercedes-Benz as sales director after two years as Smart UK CEO. O’Sullivan brings greater than 25 years’ experience across marketing, industrial strategy, network operations and automotive financial services. She joins smart UK from Volvo Automobile Financial Services UK, where she most recently served as deputy managing director and industrial director. In that role, she led industrial transformation, supported the transition to agency models and played a senior role in governance and leadership. Earlier in her…
Tom Seymour is an experienced freelance journalist specialising within the automotive and business sectors, with greater than 20 years’ experience reporting and analysing industry developments. As a daily contributor to Bauer Media’s B2B titles Fleet News and Automotive Management (AM), he covers topics starting from fleet operations and electrification to dealership performance, manufacturer strategy and the broader mobility landscape. Along with his writing, Tom presents and hosts webinars for AM, leading discussions with senior industry figures on key trends and challenges affecting the UK automotive retail sector. He also plays a central role in shaping and delivering content for the…
Chinese manufacturers and battery electric vehicles drove modest growth in Europe’s recent automobile market in November, in line with recent data from JATO Dynamics. Despite an overall decline in Tesla registrations and a 39% year-on-year drop for the Model Y, the Tesla Model 3 still held onto the highest spot as probably the most registered battery electric vehicle (BEV) in November. BYD greater than doubled its registrations compared with November 2024, recording 21,043 units. Leapmotor registered 6,022 units in November and 26,538 12 months thus far, matching volumes achieved by DS and overtaking Lancia, Maserati and Abarth throughout the Stellantis portfolio. Outside…