Large franchised dealer groups ended last year in a better financial position than they did in 2008, despite new car sales falling to a 14-year low. While the new block exemption will encourage supermarkets to look at car retailing and manufacturers to increase factory-owned networks.

Welcome to Friday and this week's Car Crash TV. Let's not beat around the bush and head straight into the carnage. This truck driver gives us a perfect example of why you should always wear your seatbelt. Unless of course you are looking to re-enact a scene from the Dukes of Hazard...

Halfords Group is pushing ahead with the rebranding of the 224 Nationwide centres it bought for £73.2m from Phoenix, the private equity group earlier this year.

Seat dealers have launched a VAT-free Q4 promotion.

The SMMT said today the outlook for UK car sales remained cautious with government austerity measures likely to unsettle consumer and business demand.

MG Motor UK is using this month's Motor Trader Open Points Roadshow as a springboard to promote its brand new MG6 and recruit dealers.

Vertu and PSA Retail are the latest groups to sign up to the Dealers Backing Ben campaign whereby participating dealers donate £1 from each car sold at auction to the motor industry charity.

Used car values were almost 10 per cent lower in September than a year ago, according to Manheim Remarketing.

Up to a fifth of dealer groups are looking to change their warranty supplier in the tough economic environment, according to RAC Warranty.

Mark Roden, general manager Toyota and Lexus fleet and remarketing services at Toyota GB, has been appointed managing director of Toyota dealer Westlands Toyota Group.