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• Posted: 17 May 2012 GM to build new Astra at Ellesmere PortVauxhall workers have voted 94% in favour of a new pay deal. The vote paved the way for the announcement today that the next-generation Astra compact car will be built at the company’s manufacturing plant at Ellesmere Port.
• Posted: 17 May 2012 UK car manufacturing up 9.3% in AprilCar manufacturing rose by 9.3% in April and was up 11.8% over the first four months of the year, according to figures released today by the SMMT. CV output rose by 3.2% in April but was down 9.2% in the first four months of the year.
• Posted: 17 May 2012 Volvo appoints new UK MDVolvo UK has confirmed that acting managing director Nick Connor (pictured) will take up the position permanently. The position also includes the responsibility for Volvo’s Ireland and Iceland subsidiaries.
• Posted: 17 May 2012 UK new car market outperforms most of EuropeThe UK is outperforming much of Europe for new car sales as it continues to struggle with the consequences of an uncertain economy. Total European sales were down 6.1% in April and 7.1% year-to-date. Of the big five markets, Germany and Great Britain achieved increased sales; France recorded a small decrease, while Italy and Spain recorded significant declines in sales.
• Posted: 17 May 2012 CarHerd website offers consumers bulk buy discounts on new carsTwo entrepreneurs from Leeds have launched a new car buying website, called CarHerd.com, which claims to offer discounts to consumers by buying stock in bulk and avoiding price negotiation with dealer - although not entirely cutting them out of the purchase.
• Posted: 17 May 2012 Cap launches Black Book LiveCap has launched Black Book Live, a new system which publishes trade price changes as soon as they are identified. Black Book Live is intended to deal with changes in vehicle values between the publication dates of its traditional monthly price guide.
• Posted: 17 May 2012 Open Points Roadshow debuts revealedNew models are due to make their UK debut at this month’s Motor Trader Open Points Roadshow. The annual show, which will be held on 17 May at Whittlebury Hall, near Silverstone, is aimed at dealers looking for new franchising opportunities.
• Posted: 01 May 2012 Independents charge £40 per hour for labourIndependent garages are charging an average of £40 an hour for labour, according to a new survey from the Independent Garage Association. The highest average labour rate was recorded in the South and South East at £48 per hour.
• Posted: 01 May 2012 Toyota and Lexus take 75% of hybrid marketHybrid pioneers Toyota and Lexus have dominated the hybrid segment for the last five years taking more than 75% of sales since 2007, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
• Posted: 30 Apr 2012 John Ball to step down as RMI MOT ChairmanJohn Ball will step down as MOT Chairman of the RMI in May. Ball says he has enjoyed his time as Chairman of the federation’s MOT wing, and he is pleased to have played a lead role in defeating the frequency challenge. He says his efforts have been more than justified.
• Posted: 30 Apr 2012 Buyer confidence rises according to Sainsbury’sConfidence appears to be returning to the car buying market, according to the results of a Sainsbury’s Bank survey.
• Posted: 30 Apr 2012 Relocation of Honda car dealerCloverleaf Group has relocated its Honda business to Bracknell. All 22 staff from its Ascot branch have relocated, and the new site has also created one new job of a used car sales manager.
• Posted: 27 Apr 2012 STARS TURN OUT FOR ROYAL AUTOMOBILE CLUB CHARITY CUPWoodcote Park, 27 April 2012: High profile names from the worlds of motorsport and media turned out to the Royal Automobile Club’s Woodcote Park on Tuesday for the first ever Charity Cup golf competition. Damon Hill, the former Formula 1 World Champion, Derek Warwick, President of the British Racing Drivers’ Club (BRDC), Steve Rider, the renowned sports presenter, Chris Evans, the Radio 2 presenter and Ian Wright, the former England football striker, all competed.
• Posted: 27 Apr 2012 Ford Retail targets van users with mobile service propositionFord Retail has introduced a mobile service providing aftersales servicing and repairs for Ford and other makes of light commercial vehicles (LCVs). In addition, the service can undertake the majority of warranty repairs and recall fixes for Ford vehicles on customer premises or at other locations.
• Posted: 27 Apr 2012 Dealers to take on Three Peaks challenge for BENTeams from Pendragon and Inchcape will take on the Three Peaks 24 hour challenge on June 16 and 22 respectively to raise money for BEN, the automotive charity.