M and A – Page 8300 – I wish I had more to offer

Foxconn Invests In Mobike As Part Of Strategic Partnership On Global Expansion

Foxconn Technology Group has invested an undisclosed amount in a strategic investment in China’s bike sharing company Mobike as part of a wider partnership, the companies announced today. The exclusive strategic partnership will enable Mobike to increase global production capacity of its smart bikes to over 10 million units annually, and reduce the cost of… Continue reading Foxconn Invests In Mobike As Part Of Strategic Partnership On Global Expansion

BMW and Daimler let Apple flash off with iCar

Apple is suffering a setback in its expansion into the car market. According to “Handelsblatt” both BMW and Daimler reject a partnership with the IT giant. BMW headquarters in Munich Thursday, 21.04.2016 10:56 The US company Apple apparently failed with his attempt, along with BMW or Daimler to build a car. Appropriate negotiations are over,… Continue reading BMW and Daimler let Apple flash off with iCar

TVR to return with new car designed in collaboration with Gordon Murray Design

Revered British sports car brand, TVR, is roaring back to production with an incredible all-new Cosworth powered sports car, engineered in collaboration with F1 and road car design legend, Gordon Murray.

TVR has developed a product and launch programme that will see at least four new models brought to market over the next ten years
Positioning and pricing set to be consistent with TVR’s past market positioning and highly competitive within its segment

The iconic British car brand, TVR, has today announced that it will return to the market with an all-new British designed and built sports car. The company, which boasts an outstanding new management team, has developed the new car in collaboration with Gordon Murray Design and Cosworth, each providing much of the core design and engineering capability for the all-new TVR. This incredible project is already well advanced with over a year of development completed so far.

TVR will issue more specification details and early images later in 2015, but the car will continue the tradition of a classic British two-seat sports car with a composite ground effect aero chassis and body package using Gordon Murray Design’s innovative iStream® technology. Enthusiasts will also be delighted to know that the car will feature the traditional TVR DNA of a front engine with rear wheel drive and a manual transmission, powered by a normally aspirated, dry-sumped, V8 engine, developed and engineered by Cosworth.

Les Edgar, Chairman of TVR said: “We know that a new TVR has to be better than just good – it has to be outstanding. From the outset we only wanted to work with the best partners in the business, and both Gordon Murray’s and Cosworth’s track records within motor sport and high performance car design and engineering speak for themselves. GMD and Cosworth are the perfect partners for TVR and together, we will deliver a truly exceptional new car.”

Production of the car will begin in 2017, and will be offered to the market at a competitive price point within its segment and consistent with TVR’s positioning in the past. TVR has prioritised the company’s position as an all-British institution, and the cars will be completely produced in new UK factory premises.

Gordon Murray, Chairman of Gordon Murray Design comments: “TVR is an iconic brand which has been an important part of British sports car manufacturing for many decades. Its return to manufacturing is an exciting development and the car deserves the best chassis and powertrain that can possibly be delivered. To that end, I am delighted that our company is involved with the project, and that TVR are using our iStream® technology.”

Bruce Wood, Cosworth Technical Director, said: “We are proud to see Cosworth’s industry-leading engineering at the heart of the revived TVR brand. Our team has been working closely with TVR and Gordon Murray Design to develop a powertrain solution that perfectly complements the exceptional performance characteristics of the new car. It’s an exciting project and one which well suits Cosworth’s engineering expertise.”

Edgar continues: “We are a well-funded, well-supported organisation and boast a vastly experienced management team. We are here to stay and we have a fully evolved ten year plan for product and business development, and are committed to deliver on all the targets we have set ourselves – as we have done to date.

“Despite very deliberately maintaining a low profile since completing the acquisition of TVR two years ago, we have had an enormous amount of unsolicited interest from businesses, individuals and investors internationally. Such is the strength of the brand and the passion of its followers. It is a real privilege to be a part of the revival of a great British marque – one that will succeed through our single-minded desire to produce exceptional sports cars.”

TVR Purchases Classic TVR Parts Business

As part of its ongoing plans to support existing TVR owners, TVR is pleased to announce the purchase of the parts business of David Gerald/Classic World Racing which focused on pre-1980 TVRs.

This initiative will achieve 3 important goals. Firstly, it will allow for the smooth transition of parts, including many quite rare parts for pre-1980 cars, to the already impressive stock held by TVR Parts Limited. Secondly, it means that TVR Parts Limited, the sole appointed distributor of TVR Genuine Parts, now has a comprehensive licence and access to even more historical records to better support TVR cars from every era. Finally, it will allow Classic World Racing to focus on its core business of servicing, restoring and maintaining TVRs to the highest of standards, preparing many of these cars for exhilarating track day and race winning performance.

Commenting on the deal, Chairman of TVR Manufacturing Les Edgar said, “This acquisition allows our licensed partners ‘TVR Parts Limited’ to expand the world’s deepest and widest range of stock of TVR Genuine Parts, giving even more comprehensive levels of support to existing TVR owners. All sections of the TVR community should welcome this enhancement, since a stronger TVR Parts business allows for continuity of supply, keener prices and ever-better service for owners of our much-loved cars.”

For his part, Chairman of TVR Parts Limited Graham Love added, “We are delighted to have added the pre-1980 models to the very extensive range of Genuine TVR parts we already carry, making TVR Parts Ltd the comprehensive one stop shop for all TVR owners, regardless of the age of their cars. We look forward to welcoming all owners of pre-1980 TVRs as valued new customers.”

Mike Luck, owner of Classic World Racing, said he was extremely pleased to see his parts business become part of such an exciting development. “Our parts business deserved a secure future and it is fitting that the historic records and tooling have returned back to TVR ownership.”

Much Loved British Sports Car Brand TVR Returns

Revered British sports car brand TVR is to make a welcome return to Britain after its owner, Russian businessman Nikolai Smolensky, agreed to sell the brand rights and all other assets to a syndicate of British investors.

The syndicate, incorporated as ‘TVR Automotive Ltd.’, now owns all TVR’s IP including its global trademarks, patents and designs. Also included in the sale were the entirety of TVR’s physical assets, including engines, chassis, jigs, body parts and spares, together with large amounts of historical documentation in both hard and soft copy formats.

Commenting on the acquisition, Chairman of TVR Automotive Les Edgar said, “It’s a tremendously exciting day and superb news for TVR enthusiasts and owners at home and abroad. Having lamented the demise of the famous Blackpool-based company, lovers of British sports cars everywhere now have something to celebrate. TVR is back where it belongs.”

Reflecting on the process of landing the brand back in Britain, the investors have put on record their thanks to Nikolai Smolensky for clearing the way for the acquisition and sincerely appreciate the cooperation received.

For his part, Mr. Smolensky added, “I am pleased to see TVR returning to its home country and, along with all sports car fans, look forward to what’s coming next. I’m confident TVR Automotive will do a great job.”

Les Edgar continued, “Our intention is to build new TVRs in the best traditions of the much loved classics. Planning is well under way for all-new cars, but we also intend to support the existing TVR community. Owners, enthusiasts and specialist engineering firms have kept the thunder rumbling these past few years and we’re looking forward to meeting and building great relationships with everyone.”

Second Partnership between the DELFINGEN Foundation and ESSILOR VISION Foundation

Second Partnership between the DELFINGEN Foundation and ESSILOR VISION Foundation | DELFINGEN By continuing your visit in this site, you accept the use of cookies in order to offer you an optimal navigation and to create statistics of visits More Information OK The Essilor Vision Foundation and the DELFINGEN Foundation partnered up for a second… Continue reading Second Partnership between the DELFINGEN Foundation and ESSILOR VISION Foundation

BVRLA Honorary Life President, Freddie Aldous Obituary

Freddie Aldous was a pioneer and innovator in the vehicle rental industry in the UK. He had a long and illustrious career both in the vehicle rental and leasing sector and also in his tireless work for the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) and for European Car and Truck Rental Association (ECATRA). His… Continue reading BVRLA Honorary Life President, Freddie Aldous Obituary

FLA launches Motor Finance Specialist apprenticeship

8 March 2018
The Finance & Leasing Association (FLA), working alongside employers in a Trailblazer group, has today launched its Motor Finance Specialist apprenticeship to offer employment and training opportunities to those entering one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors.
A new section on the FLA’s website provides all the necessary information that firms will need to get their apprenticeship programmes underway – including contact details for three well-established training providers who have already signed up to help employers develop tailor-made courses, along with advice on how to hire apprentices.
The launch of the apprenticeship is the culmination of 18 months of discussions between FLA members, brokers, dealerships and professional bodies, to devise a training programme that matches the specific skills and knowledge required in a market where 88% of private new car purchases are made using motor finance.
The one-to-two-year, Level 3 apprenticeship uses a core curriculum which then branches into options to suit either finance specialists, working for a lender, or retail specialists, who liaise directly with car buyers in the dealerships. The independent assessment process examines a number of areas, including knowledge of the finance products, regulatory compliance and customer service.
Commenting, Adrian Dally, Head of Motor Finance at the FLA, said:
“The Apprenticeship Standard will help to attract new talent who want to build their careers in motor finance. This kind of commitment to the industry is good for competition, customer service and the responsible provision of credit that is central to this market.
“FLA members have a history of investing in training for dealership staff, including development of the Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) programme that has been running since 2007. We added the more demanding SAF Advanced qualification in 2016, and are now introducing modules to the original SAF programme to ensure there is a SAF training option for every career stage.”
Sue Husband, director, National Apprenticeship Service said:
“Through apprenticeships, we’re making it easier for employers to attract a diverse range of apprentices, helping them to acquire top talent and tackle skills shortages associated with an ageing workforce by training and upskilling. The Motor Finance Specialist Apprenticeship offers the opportunity to specialise in a key growth area of the automotive industry, with learning outcomes spanning the sale of motor finance products, financial regulation and compliance and customer service.
“With recent reforms to apprenticeships firmly focused on improving quality in the system and giving employers the skills they need, there has never been a better time to take on an apprentice.”
Note to editors:
More information on the Motor Finance Specialist Apprenticeship, and the groups we partnered with in its development, can be found here.Training providers 3aaa, Calibre Group Solutions and Simply Academy have signed up to deliver the apprenticeship.The FLA’s SAF initiative has been running since 2017, and was devised to boost professionalism in motor dealerships and increase consumer confidence in car finance.The SAF Advanced course (Certificate for Automotive Finance Specialists (CertAutoFS)) is available on the London Institute of Banking & Finance website. The Finance and Leasing Association is the leading industry body for the asset, consumer and motor finance sectors.In 2017, members provided £44 billion of new finance to help households and businesses purchase cars. Over 88% of all private new car registrations in the UK were financed by FLA members.For media queries, please contact the FLA press office on 020 7420 9656.

Supplier Rebel Prevent must quit workers

This duel electrified the car industry: German factories of a Bosnian entrepreneurial family stopped their deliveries to Wolfsburg in 2016 – and thus shut down two VW plants. Now the group drops the supplier. Prevent company headquarters (archive) Friday, 06.04.2018 10:51 On August 2016, the chief buyers of the Volkswagen Group remember exactly – if… Continue reading Supplier Rebel Prevent must quit workers

Stefan Quandt expands power at BMW

Stefan Quandt is one of the richest Germans. Like his sister Susanne Klatten, he has been given further voting rights to BMW – and can now block decisions at the car manufacturer. Stefan Quandt (archive picture of 2014) Tuesday, 20.02.2018 15:08 clock The two major shareholders of BMW, Stefan Quandt and Susanne Klatten, have now… Continue reading Stefan Quandt expands power at BMW