All articles by MF Editorial

Further warnings from retailer

Inchcape has issued a profit warning for 2008 and 2009, while Pendragon is reportedly in talks with its bankers in order to avoid breaching its banking covenants

Car-buyers ‘unhappy’ with online experience

Motor Spy

Manheim management system adopted by Masterlease

Manheim management system adopted by Masterlease Fleet provider Masterlease has opted for Manheims new Remarketing Management System (RMS), covering logistics, inspection, reconditioning and sales channels with the aim of centralising control of all remarketing processes Masterlease remarketing head Glyn Fisher praised the smoothness of the upgrade: The degree of cooperation demonstrated throughout has been tremendous, while John Given, Manheims group sales director lauded the ease of use and flexibility of the software.

Enterprise Inns staff to get ECO cars from Zenith Vehicle Contracts

Enterprise Inns staff to get ECO cars from Zenith Vehicle Contracts Zenith Vehicle Contracts has won a new contract to supply 220 cars to the employees of Enterprise Inns plc, one of the largest leased and tenanted pub companies in the UK.

Pendragon to cut 500 jobs

Pendragon to cut 500 jobs The UK’s largest car retailer Pendragon has announced that it is to cut 500 jobs, as a response to “difficult and competitive trading conditions”. Despite the ominous news in its pre-closing statement, Pendragon confirmed that it remained “profitable and cash generative”, with sales volumes remaining “robust relative to the market”, with aftersales continuing to perform “well”.

Technology upgrade for fleet’s systems

Technology upgrade for fleets systems ALD Automotive has announced a series of major upgrades to its fleet administration and customer service IT systems. Its suite of online fleet management applications, formerly known as QuDOS, has had its online ordering process enhanced, and has been rebranded as threesixty, ALD said. The enhancements see the upgrading of functionality to enable changes to fleet policies as well as driver information to be completed online by customers – instead of clients informing ALD Automotive which has then administered the changes

Royal honours for well-known motor industry figures

Royal honours for well-known motor industry figures Two well-known motor industry names have been honoured in the recent Queens Birthday Honours List. Sarah Sillars has been awarded an OBE for services to skills training and to the automotive retail industry, according to motor industry charity BEN, of which she is a vice-president, as well as holding the role of chief executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry.

Staffordshire County Council renews staff car scheme with ING Car Lease

Staffordshire County Council renews staff car scheme with ING Car Lease Staffordshire County Council renews staff car scheme with ING Car Lease

BER has ‘improved competition’, European Commission says

BER has improved competition, European Commission says The European Commission has adopted an evaluation report into block exemption regulation (BER) in the motor distribution and repair sector, which found that the conditions for competition in new car sales, and repair and maintenance have improved in recent years, the Commission said. BER was originally introduced in 2002, as a safe harbour for car and commercial vehicle distribution and servicing agreements, in response to certain of the vehicle distribution and repair sectors unique characteristics, which the Commission felt required a narrow block exemption with detailed rules.