We’ve been running our long term Honda HR-V crossover since the summer, so we’re just starting to see how it is performing as winter takes hold. The first thing we noticed was the total absence of its idle stop function during a particularly cold spell that lasted several days. After some initial head scratching it became clear that with the ...

We’re delighted to reveal the names of the biggest UK franchised dealer groups in the latest edition of the Motor Trader Top 200. We’ve been publishing the Motor Trader Top 200 for over 20 years and as the biggest survey of its type it continues to track the ebb and flow of the car retailing sector. The latest survey reveals ...

Beaver Garages, the Somerset-based Ford dealer, has joined the expanding MG Motor dealer network. The family-run business will run the franchise from its existing site in Minehead before moving it into a dedicated MG showroom next summer. “Having talked to several other car manufacturers looking to expand their network, we found the team at MG to be very approachable, business-like ...

Dealers, carmakers and suppliers are signing up for the annual ASE trip to the Nada Convention and Expo in the US. The 2017 event will be held in New Orleans with the ASE visit running from 25-29 January and Motor Trader once again acting as the media partner. The convention is the biggest car retailer event in the world and is ...

Dealer leads from online enquiries grew by 62% in Q3, according to new customer research by Dealerweb, the showroom management system provider. Dealerweb collated data from volume and premium brand dealers across the UK and found that leads from walk-in rose by just 0.6%. The research found that by combining online, walk-in and telephone enquiries dealers saw an overall increase ...

Two more high profile dealers have joined the line-up for the 2017 London Motor Show. Sytner will return to the event representing both BMW and Mini in an expanded area now covering 10 stands. Clive Sutton, the London-based luxury car retailer, will show a selection of new American muscle cars including the Cadillac Escalade and Camaro, Chevrolet Suburban and models from ...

The RAC has launched what it claims to be the first used car code to be fully accredited by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute. The RAC Used Vehicle Code of Practice has been launched through the RAC’s Approved Dealer network. The RAC said the code explains in simple language the high levels of service dealers must demonstrate to customers, how ...

Motor Trader and Northridge Finance are delighted to announce the launch of the 2017 Motor Trader Rising Stars, the national search for the brightest and best young talent in the car retailing sector. This annual Motor Trader and Northridge Finance initiative is an industry-wide search for the next generation of movers and shakers who are already raising the professionalism of ...

Vertu Motors has opened a £5m flagship site in Glasgow. The business will trade as Macklin Motors Nissan Glasgow Central and becomes the eleventh Nissan site operated by Vertu. The newly built showroom features an eight-storey glass car display tower which can hold up to 30 cars and stands above the M8 on the city’s Port Dundas Road. The showroom, ...

Vauxhall has set up a customer microsite to address media coverage regarding reports of engine fires in some Corsa models featured in this week’s BBC 1 Watchdog TV programme. The carmaker said the risk is restricted to just one petrol-engined model which it issued a recall on in April. “Vauxhall Corsa D is one of our most popular models, with ...