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Facebook has launched Facebook Deals a new scheme offering users special offers in their local area. The first carmaker to take part is Mazda, which is offering a 20 percent discount on all Mazda MX-5s and the chance to win a Mazda MX-5 Miyako special edition for five months.

Fiat is aiming to drum up business for Fiat and Alfa workshops with a new promotion. The firm is encouraging customers to have their vehicle MoT tested at authorised Fiat and Alfa Romeo workshops by entering them into a draw to win a car.

Ford will sell a special edition of the outgoing Focus alongside the all-new model...

Ford Europe reported a pre-tax operating loss of $51m (£32m) in Q4 compared with profit of $253m a year ago. Q4 revenue was $8.1bn, down from $8.2bn a year ago.

Independent used car dealers are increasingly competing with franchised dealers in developing their own used car programmes. In many cases the programmes match those offered by carmakers, said RAC Warranty.

MG Motor UK is expanding its dealer network The carmaker, a subsidiary of SAIC, China’s largest carmaker, has identified 45 key open points in Britain and is talking with 25 prospective dealers. It currently has 38 dealers and six authorised repairers.

Auction houses announced a flying start to the year reporting stronger than usual attendances at centres. Manheim Auctions said its 18 centres were “packed” with buyers in the first couple of weeks trading, following the Christmas break and volumes of vehicles entered for sale rose 4.5 per cent. There was also a 5.3 per cent increase in overall sale price, it said. Manheim Remarketing managing director Mike Pilkington said: “The strong start to the year clearly shows that demand for used cars and vans remains as robust as ever.

Toyota is recalling 1.7 million vehicles worldwide over potential fuel leakage problems. Over 3,000 Lexus cars are being recalled in the UK and a total of 15,500 Avensis.

Managers in the used car remarketing business fear the economy will take a hit in 2011. Following the 0.5 per cent contraction in the UK economy in Q4 of 2010, 42 per cent of senior managers in remarketing said they now believe that a double dip recession is more likely.

The AA and Motorway Direct are conducting an audit of dealers currently selling AA Warranty products in a move aimed at raising the standard of participating sites.