Editor’s Choice

Last year was a helter-skelter year for carmakers with component shortages playing havoc with vehicle supplies. Brands that came under pressure included SEAT, which saw a -48.7% decline in sales for the year while Jaguar saw a -35.5% fall in registrations. Subaru also came under pressure during the year with registrations falling 34%, while Volvo fell -24.4% and Lexus -23.1%. ...

John Banks has acquired Renault & Dacia Ipswich from the Marriott Motor Group It now represents Renault and Dacia in Cambridge and Ipswich, Honda in Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge & Ipswich, Suzuki in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich and Hyundai in Cambridge. The group plans further expansion in Colchester this year. John Banks CEO Melanie Banks-Browne said: “A truly fantastic ...

Lookers has announced that Ian Bull, chairman, will step down from its Board citing “personal reasons” with effect from 31 December 2022. Paul Van der Burgh, senior independent director will assume the role of interim non-executive chairman on 1 January 2023. Sue Farr, non-executive director will assume the role of interim senior independent director. The Board will now commence a ...

Vertu Motors, having now received FCA approval, has completed the acquisition of Helston Garages Group Limited. Following the announcement of the intended acquisition on 8 December, Vertu has now completed the purchase of 28 franchised sales outlets, adding significant scale and geographic coverage to the Group’s existing footprint of 160 franchised outlets. Consideration of £117m, net of anticipated cash and ...

Arnold Clark is to represent Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD early next year. The partnership will mark another step forward in the UK’s shift towards EVs and reinforce Arnold Clark’s commitment to achieving a net zero carbon future. The group will open a new retail space dedicated to BYD in Glasgow early 2023.  This will be used as a base ...

Caffyns has reported a profit before tax of £1.6m (2021: £2.3m) for six months to 30 September. The drops was caused by “ongoing disruption to new car supply and current economic challenges”. On supply it said: “The majority of the manufacturers we represent remained muted due to the continuing effects of the global shortage in semiconductors and battery components restraining manufacturers’ production ...

Hedin Mobility, the Swedish dealer group which has tabled a bid for Pendragon, has entered into an agreement to acquire four dealerships in South London from Mercedes-Benz Retail Group UK. The acquisition marks Hedin Mobility Group’s first fully owned operation in the UK – Europe’s second largest car market in terms of registered passenger cars. The dealerships, which collectively employ ...

Motorvogue has opened a new Stellantis multi-brand showroom in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. It will stock new and used Fiat, Abarth and Citroën vehicles, as well as used Alfa Romeo and Jeep vehicles. It will add a Peugeot franchise to the portfolio from May 2023. This latest showroom launch follows an investment of more than £1m by Motorvogue in a ...

Arnold Clark has opened apprenticeship applications, with 400 new recruits set to join the company during 2023. The apprenticeship programme offers anyone over 16 years of age the opportunity to learn skills and gain a recognised qualification. All apprentices will receive training as they work at an Arnold Clark site, and some will also attend week-long training blocks at one ...

The Chancellor’s decision to make electric car owners pay Road Tax from April 2025 risks slowing the take-up of electric vehicles. The SMMT said the UK needed a tax framework that encouraged the purchase of EVs rather than making them more expensive. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said: “We recognise that all vehicle owners should pay their fair share of ...