Lookers said it expected to deliver full year results for 2010 near the top end of analysts’ expectations...

Tesco is moving into the tyre trade, linking up with online tyre retailer Blackcircles.com...

Car maintenance and parts fitting were the strong performers from Halfords in the 13 weeks to 31 December 2010. Car maintenance sales grew by 12 per cent on a like-for-like basis as the firm helped customers with difficult winter conditions.

Average wholesale used van values rose by 10.1 per cent to £4,067 in 2010, according to research from Manheim Remarketing. The average age was six months less at 50 months and average mileage fell 6,299 to 70,556 miles.

Vauxhall Motors has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Football Association to sponsor England teams. The deal fills the void left when Nationwide ceased its sponsorship after 11 years following England’s poor performance in the World Cup.

Volvo Cars showed a crashed electric car at the Detroit Auto Show to highlight safety issues. The Volvo C30 Electric had undergone a frontal collision test at 40 mph (64 km/h).

Gateway Motor Company managing director Chris Kidd has been appointed national chairman of Peugeot UK’s dealer council. Kidd, who takes the reins from David Manchester of Charters Motor Group after six years in the role, has been chairman of the council’s northern region for four years.

Ford dealers attended the company's first UK technology conference, showcasing and explaining industry trends and the latest features in Ford vehicles. Over 130 Ford dealer senior managers and IT experts were at Henry Ford College in Loughborough to meet automotive and consumer technology suppliers, including Google, Microsoft, CAP, ADP, Gemini Systems and GForces. One of the latest advancements is Ford SYNC – an in-car connectivity program that allows hands-free calls and control of music and other functions with voice commands. Brian Hendy, chairman, Hendy Group said: "This unique event

Motor Codes has launched its Golden Garages competition for 2011. The competition, which attracted 9,000 nominations in 2010, enables motorists to identify the best garages in their locality.

New car sales rose 1.8 per cent in 2010 to 2,030,846 units, according to figures from the SMMT. Sales fell 18 per cent