Lookers acquires rental company Fourways Vehicle Solutions

Lookers has acquired Fourways Vehicle Solutions Limited, a vehicle hire and brokerage business based in Whitchurch, Shropshire. The business provides a UK-wide vehicle rental service, and manages in excess of 7,000 rentals per annum and in 2022 had total revenue of £3.8m. Lookers said that it sees significant opportunity for Fourways to grow its market… Continue reading Lookers acquires rental company Fourways Vehicle Solutions

Dealers must develop new business models as EV adoption grows, says ICDP

Retailers must develop new business models to thrive in the age of electrification, ICDP MD Steve Young has said. “For many years, the aftersales department has provided a major part of dealer profits in many markets,” he added. “The traditional target used to be that the full overhead of the dealership would be covered by… Continue reading Dealers must develop new business models as EV adoption grows, says ICDP

Euro Car parts owner LKQ buys GSF factor group

Fst expanding Euro Car Parts owner LKQ Corporation has bought Uni-Select Inc and its 180 UK GSF Car Parts outlets. LKQ entered the UK market in 2011 with the purchase of Euro Car Parts from its founder Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia for £225m plus £50m bonus target. Two years later LKQ bought Sator Holdings from H2… Continue reading Euro Car parts owner LKQ buys GSF factor group

Integration of Helston acquisition “progressing well” says Vertu

Vertu Motors continues to trade in line with management expectations, it has reported in a trading update. The Group also said that the integration of Helston Garages is on track. In a trading update for the five months to 31 January, Vertu reported that revenue was up 9.4% on a like-for-like basis. Used car volumes… Continue reading Integration of Helston acquisition “progressing well” says Vertu

Volvo dealers offer 0% monthly aftersales payment plans

Volvo dealers are working with payment platform Bumper so its customers can spread the cost maintenance with 0% interest payment plans. The partnership with Bumper allows bills for regular servicing, repairs and parts to be settled through equal and affordable monthly payments over terms of between four and nine months. With no interest charged, customers… Continue reading Volvo dealers offer 0% monthly aftersales payment plans

Cazoo sells data firm Cazana to focus on core UK online sales

Cazoo has sold its third party data platform Cazana to Percayso for an undisclosed sum. The disposal aligns with Cazoo’s strategy to focus on its core UK online sales business as as opposed to providing data services to third parties. The agreement includes the sale of the Cazana brand, platform and commercial contracts. Cazoo said… Continue reading Cazoo sells data firm Cazana to focus on core UK online sales

Dealers stocking “more economical cars” in cost of living crisis

Over a third (34%) of dealers say they are stocking more economical cars as a result of the ongoing cost of living crisis. Startline has reported that 33% of dealers are stocking cars that cost less to buy or lease while a further 20% are retailing smaller cars. However, only 7% say they are providing… Continue reading Dealers stocking “more economical cars” in cost of living crisis

Majority of dealers provide ‘high levels of testing’ on used cars

Dealers are going “above and beyond” obligated checks on used cars to ensure they receive the highest level of testing and inspection before sale. That’s the conclusion of the Dealer Panel survey from WMS Opteven, which found that four fifths (80%) carry out the same level of inspection, irrespective of vehicle age and mileage. The… Continue reading Majority of dealers provide ‘high levels of testing’ on used cars

Snows acquires Vauxhall and Citroen dealerships from J Davy

Snows Motor Group is set to open new Vauxhall and Citroen dealerships in Basingstoke. The two businesses have been acquired from J Davy. Snows now has three Vauxhall dealerships: sister sites in Southampton and Chandlers Ford joined the group last year. Citroen rejoins the company as a manufacturer, with the newly acquired Basingstoke business running… Continue reading Snows acquires Vauxhall and Citroen dealerships from J Davy

Dealers and supermarkets will ‘scramble’ to fill used forecourts says Swansway boss

This year will see franchised dealers and supermarkets ‘scramble’ to find used cars to fill forecourts. That’s the view of Swansway director Peter Smyth, speaking in the Zeus Motor Sector Podcast with long time motors analyst Mike Allen. Smyth said talk about a price crash in 2023 did not make sense. “I can allay the… Continue reading Dealers and supermarkets will ‘scramble’ to fill used forecourts says Swansway boss