Demand for contactless services from dealers remains, with 76% of prospective buyers looking for virtual dealer appointments, at-home test drives, or home delivery. CarGurus reports that the number of car buyers delaying their car purchases decreasing from 87% in April to 77% in June, while only 2% of those who planned to buy this year before the… Continue reading Majority of buyers still prefer contactless services from dealers
Author: Motor Trader Online News
Ford to launch Fleet Management solution at UK dealerships
Ford and ALD Automotive have signed a shareholder agreement to create an integrated leasing and fleet management solution for European customers. The new company, which will be called Ford Fleet Management, will see both parties collaborate to develop the capabilities to provide a integrated leasing and fleet management offer. Both commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles… Continue reading Ford to launch Fleet Management solution at UK dealerships
Cazoo acquires independent retailer Imperial Car Supermarkets
Cazoo has acquired independent used car retailer Imperial Car Supermarkets. The company says that the deal will accelerate the transformation of the UK used car market by providing Cazoo with a national network of storage, distribution, after sales and collection hubs. Imperial Car Supermarkets was established in 2006 and has grown to 18 retail sites across… Continue reading Cazoo acquires independent retailer Imperial Car Supermarkets
Peter Cooper Motor Group acquires Think Cars in Dorset
Peter Cooper Motor Group has acquired the £14m-turnover Think Cars used car business and SsangYong franchise in Dorset. All 12 staff, including MD Kristian Robinson, are being retained. Robinson will move into a wider group buying role while also maintaining a hands-on role at Think Cars. Peter Cooper employs 245 staff and reported a turnover… Continue reading Peter Cooper Motor Group acquires Think Cars in Dorset
TMS Group finalises acquisition of Leicester Kia dealership
TMS Motor Group finalised its acquisition of Sandicliffe Leicester Kia dealership for an undisclosed sum. The move takes its representation with the Korean brand up to two sites. The group is keeping on all existing staff at the dealership as part of the acquisition. TMS Motor Group has already operated the Hinckley Kia dealership for… Continue reading TMS Group finalises acquisition of Leicester Kia dealership
Strong used car sales offer dealers support in tough trading
Dealers and pundits have given a mixed response to car sales figures in June which fell 35%. Mike Jones, chairman of dealer accountancy form ASE said the momentum was building with a strong performance in used car sales. “The retail drop, at 19%, shows that customer demand was strong, with fleets and leasing companies taking… Continue reading Strong used car sales offer dealers support in tough trading
Pentagon shuts Alfa and Jeep dealership in Doncaster
Pentagon Motor Group has closed its Alfa Romeo and Jeep Dealership at Wheatley Hall Road in Doncaster. The group said it had been impacted by the pandemic and the site was not viable in the current market. Pentagon Motor Group was established in March 1991 with one Vauxhall dealership at in Derby. Today, the business… Continue reading Pentagon shuts Alfa and Jeep dealership in Doncaster
Lipscomb Cars to open Volvo dealership on Canterbury
Lipscomb Cars is set to open a new Volvo dealership in Canterbury following the lift of the Coronavirus restrictions. The dealership had been set to open in March, but delays with a permanent mains electric power connection caused final works to cancelled by the network provider as non-essential. With the lifting of work restrictions, a… Continue reading Lipscomb Cars to open Volvo dealership on Canterbury
Lookers to cut 1,500 jobs and close 12 dealerships
Lookers has announced that it will close 12 dealerships and make 1,500 redundancies. This is part of a restructuring plan to deliver annual savings of approximately £50m. It is estimated that the restructure will be completed in the second half of 2020. Following these closures the Group will operate from a portfolio of 136 dealerships. It also announced… Continue reading Lookers to cut 1,500 jobs and close 12 dealerships
Brayleys buys Romford Honda from Glyn Hopkin
Brayleys has bought Romford Honda from Glyn Hopkin for an undisclosed sum. The Hertfordshire-based group now has eight Honda showrooms and nine aftersales outlets. The Romford business joins Brayley Honda dealerships in Enfield, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Ruislip, Thames Ditton, Ewell and Leatherhead and a stand-alone aftersales facility in Grays, Essex. Brayleys also represents Kia,… Continue reading Brayleys buys Romford Honda from Glyn Hopkin