The Berry Group has acquired a former site in Croydon where it will open a state-of-the-art BMW bodyshop. Located at 8 Imperial Way, the 17,598 sq ft site was sold by SHW on behalf of an institutional landlord. Wayne Berry, Group CEO of Berry Group said “The purchase of this property allows us to continue our… Continue reading Former Mazda site in Croydon acquired by Berry Group
Author: Motor Trader Online News
Crash repair firm Activate Group expands with Avant Group acquisition
Activate Group has acquired the collision repair specialist Avant Group for an undisclosed sum. The deal takes in Avant Group’s three key brands: Avant Consult, Avant Repair Network and Bodynet. Activate has a UK-wide hybrid repair network comprised of both owned Activate Accident Repair Bodyshops, and partnerships with approved bodyshop, mobile, and specialist repairers. Activate… Continue reading Crash repair firm Activate Group expands with Avant Group acquisition
Subaru thanks dealers as it receives Manufacturer of the Year Award
Subaru has been named the Manufacturer of the Year award in the Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction survey. The brand dominating seven scoring categories out of ten and beating over 30 manufacturers to claim the prize. It is the second consecutive year it has topped the survey. The Driver Power win underscores Subaru’s reputation… Continue reading Subaru thanks dealers as it receives Manufacturer of the Year Award
Independents ‘outpace’ franchised dealers in used market
Independent dealers are ‘outpacing’ franchised dealers in terms of sales performance, according to Auto Trader. The used car market has entered H2 with positivity in relation to consumer demand, speed of sale, and transactions. Consumer confidence rose in June as the global and political backdrop became less turbulent. Marc Palmer, Head of Strategy and Insights,… Continue reading Independents ‘outpace’ franchised dealers in used market
Lotus assures dealers it is not shutting down Norfolk production
Lotus said this week it had no plans to shut its manufacturing base in Norfolk and assured dealers it was business as usual. The carmaker was responding to a report over the weekend in the Financial Times suggesting it was to shift manufacturing to the US in order to bypass tarriffs. Lotus is controlled by… Continue reading Lotus assures dealers it is not shutting down Norfolk production
April National insurance hike is ‘huge hit’ on dealer profitability
The hike in National Insurance Contribution (NIC) which came into force in April is set to impact deader profitability hard. That’s the view of MT Top 200 Dealer Group analyst Chris Oakham, who looked at the total NIC bill for the Top 200 Dealer Groups in 2025 and looked ahead at the cost to the… Continue reading April National insurance hike is ‘huge hit’ on dealer profitability
Ben urges dealers to take part in Big Breakfast charity event in October
Ben is inviting dealers and automotive employees to take part in Ben’s Big Breakfast in October. Ben’s Big Breakfast is now in its fifth year and, last year, raised £25,000. This year, automotive industry people are invited to host their own breakfast anytime during the week of 6th to 12th October and encourage colleagues, customers, friends… Continue reading Ben urges dealers to take part in Big Breakfast charity event in October
More than 2,000 dealers sign up to Market Check data tool
More than 2,000 dealers have signed up to Motors Market Check tool since its launch in October last year. Dealers are using the tool to gauge market demand and calculate days to sell, pricing and vehicle history. Market Check, which is integrated into Motors’ Dealer Centre tool and is now available to all advertising dealers,… Continue reading More than 2,000 dealers sign up to Market Check data tool
Keyloop launches new AI tool for dealers
Keyloop is launching VEGA and VEGA.ai tools to help dealers identify how best to maximise customer and vehicle lifetime value, reduce costs and increase margins. Available to early adopters from September, VEGA will incorporate AI capabilities from the outset and will be introduced as an enhancement to Keyloop’s market-leading Dealer Management System (DMS). VEGA.ai will… Continue reading Keyloop launches new AI tool for dealers
Dealers see average GAP payout triple in value since 2021
The average Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP) insurance payout has tripled in three years from £1,587 in 2021 to £5,558 last year. That’s a key finding of research from MotorEasy which attributed the sharp increase to rapid vehicle depreciation and rising new car prices. It added that spare parts shortages also led to insurance write-offs and… Continue reading Dealers see average GAP payout triple in value since 2021