Capgemini research shows AI will drive profitability in automotive

The Capgemini Research Institute has found that just 10% of major automotive companies are implementing artificial intelligence (AI) projects at scale, despite evidence that the technology could add millions to their profits. A study carried out by the research body found that AI could increase the operating profit of businesses in the sector by up… Continue reading Capgemini research shows AI will drive profitability in automotive

Harwoods Group acquires Inchcape site for new Aston Martin dealership

Harwoods Group has confirmed that construction of a new Aston Martin dealership will start on the former Ford Transit factory in Southampton after it acquired part of the site from Inchcape. The £1.7 million land purchase by commercial property consultancy Vail Williams LLP, on behalf of automotive retailer Harwoods Group, signalled the green light for the… Continue reading Harwoods Group acquires Inchcape site for new Aston Martin dealership

Volvo introduces direct consumer business arm amid executive restructure

Volvo Cars has introduced a Direct Consumer Business arm as part of an executive restructure designed reshape “what a car is, how people expect to be transported and how they interact with a car”. The restructure, set to be implemented from April 1, will see the Volvo Cars executive management team restructured to reflect the… Continue reading Volvo introduces direct consumer business arm amid executive restructure

Rybrook Group acquires JLR Stoke from Pendragon

Rybrook Group has completed its acquisition of the Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) franchised car dealership from Pendragon Premier Limited. Completed for an undisclosed sum on February 28, the deal has seen the facility integrated within Rybrook Cars Limited and lose its previous Stratstone branding in favour of Rybrook Land Rover Stoke and Rybrook Jaguar Stoke. … Continue reading Rybrook Group acquires JLR Stoke from Pendragon

Marshall buys Progress Group, adds more Skoda dealerships

Marshall Motor Holdings is claiming the title of the UK’s largest Skoda dealer after its takeover of Progress Group. Having recent added two outlets representing the Czech brand of Volkswagen Group from Sandicliffe Motor Group, it has now added four more Progress Skoda dealerships at Bedford, Harlow, Letchworth and Northampton. Once rebranded, these take the… Continue reading Marshall buys Progress Group, adds more Skoda dealerships

eBay completes acquisition of Motors.co.uk from Cox Automotive

eBay has completed the acquisition of Cox Automotive’s Motors.co.uk online used car classified business following approval from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) earlier this week. A statement issued by eBay today (February 15) revealed that the Motors.co.uk team had joined Gumtree UK, an eBay Classifieds business, as part of a merger which will –… Continue reading eBay completes acquisition of Motors.co.uk from Cox Automotive

Carmakers cut their PCP prices to kickstart Q1

Car manufacturers have adjusted their retail offer strategies to kickstart the year with a 4.4% drop in the average monthly prices of PCP deals, to £311.40, according to AM’s latest quarterly data. The increased affordability across manufacturers’ model ranges is in contrast to the 5.5% quarterly rise seen in Q4 2018. AM’s analysis of 259… Continue reading Carmakers cut their PCP prices to kickstart Q1

KAR Auction Services completes acquisition of CarsOnTheWeb

KAR Auction Services, the parent company of ADESA UK, has completed its acquisition of online auction business CarsOnTheWeb. The £80 million deal will enable US-based KAR to expand its remarketing and technology services in Europe. CarsOnTheWeb is a Beligium-based business that provides an online wholesale vehicle auction marketplace that can connect OEMs, fleet owners, wholesalers and dealers… Continue reading KAR Auction Services completes acquisition of CarsOnTheWeb

Marshall acquires Sandicliffe Skoda franchises in Nottingham and Leicester

Marshall Motor Group has acquired Sandicliffe Motor Group’s Skoda franchises in Nottingham and Leicester to its portfolio of UK dealership sites. The AM100’s seventh-placed retail group took its representation of the Czech brand to seven sites across the UK with the move, which was announced by chief executive, Daksh Gupta, via Twitter over the weekend.… Continue reading Marshall acquires Sandicliffe Skoda franchises in Nottingham and Leicester

Swedish investment firm Anders Hedin Invest acquires Pendragon share

Shares in Pendragon closed 1.3% up on Wednesday (January 23) after Swedish investment company Anders Hedin Invest bought a 9.24% share in the AM100’s former number one retail group. Combined with shares acquired by the firm’s owner, Anders Hedin, the Swedish business now holds a 9.35% share of Pendragon. Shares in Pendragon closed up 1.3% at… Continue reading Swedish investment firm Anders Hedin Invest acquires Pendragon share