All articles by MF Editorial

Editor’s Letter

Q2 motor insolvencies at peak since 2001, says Experian

Information services company Experian reported the worst Q2 for automotive company bankruptcies since 2001, with a 30.9 per cent increase on Q2 figures from 2007 Despite a positive Q1, 72 businesses failed during April, May and June, bringing the years total to 134, 10.7 per cent more than 2007s first half total The motor industry ranked tenth in Q2 insolvency levels out of 34 industries analysed, where overarching figures showed a 19.7 per cent rise in business insolvencies during the quarter.

Horners Motor Group goes under

Horners Motor Group goes under North-west independent retailer Horners Motor Group has gone under, it has emerged, with the loss of up to 73 jobs at two sites in Manchester and Rochdale. The receivers, from BDO Stoy Hayward, said in a statement: Following an immediate business review, the administrators have, regrettably, had to close both sites with the loss of the majority of jobs. However, there is a chance the sites might be sold to another group, said business restructuring partner at BDO, Matthew Dunham: We remain hopeful of securing a sale of both Horners sites.

Short-term lessor Flexxilease opens Newcastle office

Short-term lessor Flexxilease opens Newcastle office Flexxilease has opened a new office in Newcastle, a significant expansion for the short-term lessor which has until now runs its national operations from the office of its parent company One Stop Car Shop in Verwood, Dorset.

Short-term lessor opens Newcastle office

Short-term lessor opens Newcastle office Flexxilease has opened a new office in Newcastle, a significant expansion for the short-term lessor which has until now runs its national operations from the office of its parent company One Stop Car Shop in Verwood, Dorset.

How not to lose that loving feeling

There is no doubt that right now is the time for lenders and dealers to work together in adopting the customer retention management (CRM) technology that is becoming increasingly available to them

Manchester congestion charge plans could cause fleet chaos

Manchester congestion charge plans could cause fleet chaos Manchester looks set to become the second large UK city to introduce a congestion charge in order to cut traffic levels, with transport minister Rosie Winterton expected to give the plan a green light in a statement to parliament.

BER report: The F&I implications

BER report: The F&I implications The European Commissions evaluation report on the Block Exemption Regulation 2002 (BER) observes that customers are enjoying much higher levels of competition within the new car sector than they were when the last BER was drafted, but that this is result more of market forces than the Commissions intervention. In fact, the report goes on to point out several instances where the Commissions objectives in drafting the 2002 BER such as encouraging higher levels of autonomy from franchised dealers just havent happened.

Online management portal launched

Online management portal launched GM UK Fleet has launched an online hub, located at http:www.gmukfleethub.co.uk, which it describes as a one-stop interactive online portal which provides the ability to view the whole range of vehicles and services offered to the fleet industry by all of the General Motors UK brands.

Looking beyond ‘bread and butter’ contract hire

Of course, for companies which have outsourced their contract hire company car schemes to an external provider, the headache of catering to all of these competing demands is mostly someone elses problem; all they need to do is review their contract every so often to ensure they are still getting best value for money.