Author: Tom Seymour

Dealers will get a first-hand take a look at how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming day-to-day retail operations at this 12 months’s Automotive Management Live, with a session led by Novaco AI founder and chief executive Maarten Bekkers. Bekkers will present “The virtual workforce that works on your dealership” on November 12 on the NEC, showing how UK retailers are already deploying AI assistants to administer workshop bookings, customer messaging and lead follow-up – fully integrated with dealer management systems (DMS). Speaking ahead of the event, Bekkers told AM that AI-powered virtual workforces aren’t about replacing staff but freeing them…

Lookers has reported a pointy rebound in pre-tax profit performance one full 12 months on from its acquisition by Canadian owners Alpha Auto Group. The highest five AM100 group moved to personal ownership in October 2023 following a £504 million deal by Global Auto Holdings Limited (GAHL), the UK company arrange for the deal by Alpha Auto. Results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2024 posted to Firms House, show underlying profit before tax (PBT) rose 55% to £58.4m, with reported PBT at £43.7m against a £1.8m loss in 2023. Margin preservation in used vehicles and disciplined expense control were cited as key…

BYD will launch its approved used automobile programme across its UK dealer network next month. The BYD Certified Pre-Owned program is predicated on a 179-point inspection that features technical performance evaluations together with verified vehicle records. BYD is supporting the brand new offering with collaboration with third-party institutions “to make sure impartiality within the inspection process”. In addition to an increased level of buyer information, BYD Certified Pre-Owned includes: an overall vehicle warranty of a minimum of one yr/20,000km (12,500 miles) the balance of the OEM battery warranty for eight years/200,000km (125,000 miles) two years of 24/7, pan-European roadside-assistance cover…

Independent garages are being urged to enroll to a brand new scheme that may help secure them access to the information they should repair the most recent vehicles. The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is asking on businesses across the UK automotive sector to register early for the Security-related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) scheme, because it is expecting a rush when it goes live later this yr. The IGA expects SERMI to level the playing field between franchised dealers and independent garages to compete for younger vehicles, which have often been a key customer segment for those with authorised repairer…

JLR’s UK dealer network and production facilities have been “severely disrupted” by a cyber attack. An announcement from JLR said: “We took immediate motion to mitigate its impact by proactively shutting down our systems. “We at the moment are working at pace to restart our global applications in a controlled manner.  “At this stage there isn’t a evidence any customer data has been stolen but our retail and production activities have been severely disrupted.” It is known that the attack took place on Sunday, just before the plate-change on September 1. Automotive Management understands that the impact on recent automotive sales and…

Kia has begun production of electrical vehicles in Europe for the primary time, with the brand new EV4 hatchback rolling off the road at its AutoLand Slovakia plant this week. The EV4 is Kia’s first fully electric automobile to be inbuilt Europe following a €108 million (£93m) investment to modernise the factory’s production lines. For UK retailers, the move is critical. By constructing EVs in Europe, Kia goals to cut back supply chain risks and shorten delivery times, each of which have challenged the broader industry in recent times. European production also signals a stronger long-term commitment to electrification in…

Xiaomi (pronounced shau-mi) is predicted to launch electric vehicle sales in Europe by 2027 following the launch its its YU7 luxury SUV. The Beijing-based business is healthier often known as the third largest smartphone maker on the planet and it sold 61 million handsets last 12 months. Nonetheless, the corporate expanded into electric vehicle last 12 months with its SU7 saloon and has added its second model in June this summer with its YU7. The YU7 is aiming its styling at luxury rivals just like the Porsche Macan, but pricing is predicted to place pressure on volume and premium German rivals alike,…

Jaecoo has confirmed UK pricing and specifications for its all-electric E5, which can arrive in October priced from £27,505. The compact SUV uses a 61.1kWh battery and a 207PS electric motor, delivering a WLTP range of as much as 248 miles and 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds. An 80kW DC charger can take the battery from 30% to 80% in around 27 minutes, while an 11kW AC charger enables overnight charging at home. Two trim levels might be offered: Pure and Luxury. Each include Level 2 driver assistance systems, while Luxury adds features corresponding to a panoramic sunroof and heated, ventilated…

Chancellor Rachel Reeves may introduce laws to limit payouts if the Supreme Court rules against lenders within the UK’s £44 billion automobile finance comissions case. The Supreme Court is because of give its judgement on automobile loans commission cases tomorrow afternoon at 4.35pm. The saga threatens to re-write the historic relationships and responsibilities between motor finance houses, brokers and dealerships, and the automobile buyer signing up for finance. As reported by The Guardian, the Chancellor may override the court’s judgment if it upholds a previous ruling that found finance corporations and dealers did not disclose commission arrangements to consumers, leaving them potentially answerable for…

MG Motor UK stepped in with its own £1,500 discount after electric automobile orders under £37,000 stalled following confusion over the brand new Electric Automotive Grant. Business director Guy Pigounakis said MG dealers saw EV order activity “quite literally stop” inside 24 hours of the Government’s Electric Automotive Grant announcement. Customers weren’t only hesitating but additionally cancelling existing orders, telling retailers they’d return once the grant’s details were clear. Pigounakis said: “We decided that we won’t have that situation proceed. “We had to take some motion.” MG introduced a £1,500 incentive for all MG4 and MG5 private retail customers earlier this week, filling…