All articles by Richard Irvine-Brown
Richard Irvine-Brown
Mazda boosts Motability scheme
Mazda is to extend its Motability programme until the end of 2011 and expand the scheme to include deals on the Mazda3 and Mazda MX-5 Having found the small, five-door Mazda2 automatic especially popular on the scheme, the Japanese manufacturer will also continue to make the model available with no advance payment.
New SMMT Westminster office wins environmental award
The new office of The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has been awarded the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Bronze Ska Certificate for environmental performance. The office, within a building constructed in the 1970s, was refurbished to contemporary regulatory standards in conjunction with building services consultants Chapman Bathurst to ensure efficient lighting and water usage with a minimum of waste, making use of low-global-warming-potential insulation and sustainable wood sources.
SAF well-received by All-Party Parliamentary Group
The Finance and Leasing Associations (FLA) kite-mark programme Specialist Automotive Finance (SAF) met with encouragement when presented to an all-party group in Westminster, backed by the Trading Standards Institute (TSI). Stephen Lloyd MP, vice-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Trading Standards, was encouraged by what appeared to be a successful process of self-regulation.
Redundancies confirmed at AutoPlanet
Almost the entire staff of independent car retail group Waters Retail Ltd, trading under Waters AutoPlanet, have been made redundant following the dealership network being put in to administration on 5 October.
Waters Autoplanet put in administration
Independent car retail group Waters Retail Ltd has been put in to administration as of 1315 BST today, chairman John Hannah has confirmed to Motor Finance. Though Waters Autoplanet had been looking for an alternative solution to its financial difficulties, it is understood the FSA-regulated group has approached Peugeots finance arm, Banque PSA, to appoint Zolfo Cooper as administrators of the business.
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Used car finance up as PCP takes hold
Used car sales under Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) plans rose 17% in the year to the end of July, according to latest statistics from the FLA, which this month praised dealers and lenders for “innovation” in presentation of used car finance.
August sees first rise in new car market since summer 2010
New car registrations grew 7.3% year-on-year in August, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the first such rise since June 2010 SMMT figures remain negative overall, with sales of new cars down by 6.1% (approximately 79,795 units) from January to August, compared to the same period for 2010, leading to a revised forecast of 1.93 million new cars to be registered this year, down from a predicted 1.95 million and down 5% on 2010.
Successful fraud policing secures motor finance funds
The Finance and Leasing Association (FLA) has pledged funding to the Vehicle Fraud Unit of ACPOs Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS) for the fifth year running. The unit has recovered fraudulently acquired vehicles worth some £19m since its inception in 2007. In the past year alone, it has recovered 300 cars worth £5m to FLA members, and made 60 arrests.