Steer Automotive Group has acquired Lovells Auto Body Centres and Pronto Accident Repair Centres for an undisclosed sum. Lovells and Pronto’s have 11 bodyshops across the East of England complements the current East Midlands’ footprint. Lovells Auto Body Centre emerged in 1972 from the Lovells family garage which was first established in Peterborough during the… Continue reading Steer Automotive buys Lovells and Pronto 11 bodyshops
Author: Motor Trader Online News
KGM Motors UK dealers celebrate Long Service Awards
KGM Motors UK, which recently rebranded from SsangYong Motors UK, has awarded its longest serving dealers at a “Dealer Recognition Awards” event held at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London on 27th January, 2024. The award recipients earned praise for their length of service of up to 20-years with the brand. Kevin Griffin, managing director at… Continue reading KGM Motors UK dealers celebrate Long Service Awards
JCB Group buys Ashford Orbital Kia, Mazda and Suzuki dealerships
JCB Group has acquired Ashford Orbital and its Kia, Mazda and Suzuki dealerships on a 2.5 acre site in Ashford for an undisclosed sum. The move follows hard on the phrchgase of Tunbridge Wells Volkswagen in December. JCB is ranked 79 in the Motor Trader Top 200 Dealer Groups with annual turnover of £192.5m. Ashford Orbital… Continue reading JCB Group buys Ashford Orbital Kia, Mazda and Suzuki dealerships
Dealers pass over poor condition vans at auction
Dealers are increasingly ignoring poor condition vans at auction requiring a lot of remedial work before going on sale. That’s the view of the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) and its meeting of 2024. Julian Pullen, senior editor, commercial vehicles and motorcycles, cap hpi, said: “It used to be said that if a van needed £1,000… Continue reading Dealers pass over poor condition vans at auction
Ferrari UK dealers take part in National Apprenticeship Week
Ferrari’s UK dealer network is supporting National Apprenticeship Week 5-11 February, The 15 UK dealerships will open their workshop doors to host open day events, promoting potential job opportunities through the Ferrari North Europe Apprenticeship Programme. This programme is suitable for those who have achieved at least 5 GCSEs (at grade four or above). It… Continue reading Ferrari UK dealers take part in National Apprenticeship Week
Dealers brush off economic uncertainty to invest in business
Motor dealers are still looking to invest in their forecourts this year, in the face of economic uncertainty, rising costs and business challenges. Of those who plan to invest in their business this year, more than two-thirds (67%) are planning to boost their stock, according to Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Forecourt Foresight research. Almost… Continue reading Dealers brush off economic uncertainty to invest in business
Suzuki dealers help deliver ‘fantastic result’ in customer survey
Suzuki GB PLC is achieved a high ranking in the latest bi-annual Institute of Customer Service’s UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) published this week. Suzuki is in first position in the Automotive sector and in 15th position overall across all measured sectors from 270 named organisations. The index is a barometer of customer satisfaction measuring… Continue reading Suzuki dealers help deliver ‘fantastic result’ in customer survey
Auto Trader gives dealers access to valuations tool
Auto Trader is giving dealers early access to its data tool Trended Valuations, as well as to newly enhanced Retail Check functionality. Both will be incorporated into advertising packages in April. Auto Trader said they will help retailers to make quicker and more profitable sourcing, advertising, and pricing decisions. Trended Valuations and enhanced Retail Check… Continue reading Auto Trader gives dealers access to valuations tool
Volvo dealers face ongoing customer handover delays
Volvo dealers continue to be hit by new car delivery delays because of congestion at the port operations in Bristol. The congestion is limiting the number of cars that can be processed and released from Zeebrugge. Volvo has written to customers who are experiencing delays and is working with the port authorities, moving cars to… Continue reading Volvo dealers face ongoing customer handover delays
Dealers see improvement in condition of used car stock
There’s been a sharp month-on-month rise in car dealers who say the condition of used stock is improving up from 20% in December to 33% now. That’s the key finding of research from Startline’s for its January Used Car Tracker which shows that the percentage stating stock is getting older is also down from 30%… Continue reading Dealers see improvement in condition of used car stock