Surveys

The franchised dealer sector has collectively returned to profit, according to a new piece of research by BDO, the accountancy and business management company.

The RMI has issued guidance to dealers on the higher rate of VAT that comes into force on 4 January 2011.

Trend Tracker's new report "The Future of the Car Body Repair Market in the UK 2010-2015 - shows how the recession has hit bodyshops, accelerating the gradual shrinkage of the crash repair market.

New car registrations rose 38.9 per cent to 150,936 units in December as consumers flocked to showrooms to avoid January's VAT increase but year-end sales fell to under 2 million.

The motor industry has yet to deal with massive manufacturing overcapacity, despite a year of business failures and closures.