The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is calling on dealers to hire more apprentices. It has carried out research which shows that apprentices are good for business and deliver a significant financial return for employers. It said that apprentices who start with no experience typically generate profit within 18 to 24 months. The research is the result of a two-year IMI project to assess the value of apprentices working for independent garages and franchised dealers of all sizes. Apprentices delivered the same return as an experienced technician by the third or fourth year. IMI chief executive Steve Nash said: “Businesses must overcome their doubts about employing young people and invest in the future if our industry is to succeed as a whole.” Key benefits Home-grown apprentice-trained technicians outperform market-recruited technicians. Growing your own technicians’ through apprenticeships reduces long-term recruitment and training costs. Apprentices…

Aston Martin has issued a recall on 17,590 cars because of a potentially defective part, in a move thought to be the biggest recall in the luxury carmaker’s history The recall is thought to account for most of the marque’s cars built since late 2007 and applies to all models apart from the new Vanquish coupe and Volante models. A BBC report suggested the recall was issued following the discovery that a Chinese sub-supplier was allegedly using counterfeit plastic material in part of the accelerator pedal. Aston Martin, which manufacturers in warwickshire, reportedly said it was concerned the pedal arm may break although there have been no reports of any accidents. A spokesman told the BBC it would now bring manufacture of the pedal arm back to the UK. According to the report the recall includes 1,553 in the UK and covers all left-hand-drive…

We have had the wettest January since records began and its been hard on everyone and their cars. now the used car market had to keep a weather eye on the horizon to weed out the cars that some sneaky people may try and trade in that have been affected by flood damage. AA Cars has said “owners may attempt to pass their car on rather than make an insurance claim.” The AA’s flood rescue team had retrieved more than 3,000 cars from flood water since 20 December. David Bruce, director of AA Cars, said insurers write off 70% of cars that have been immersed in flood water, either because the engine has been damaged or submerged electrical systems threaten the car’s safety. “While a car can be dried out with no obvious visual damage, immersion in floods can store up a range of…

If you have been watching the news recently then you will know that apparently the recession is over and the economy is the strongest its been in the last six years, I know I don’t believe it either but the car production industry seems to be following this trend with a 31% increase in UK production. Cars produced for the domestic market rose 21.8% during the year while those for export fell 1%. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “2013 demonstrated the value of the UK’s diverse car manufacturing industry, as surging home demand and robust exports outside Europe saw output grow 3.1% to over 1.5 million units. “UK automotive investment announcements exceeded £2.5 billion in 2013, reinforcing industry analysts’ suggestions that the UK could break all-time car output records within the next four years.” While the European market has struggled with tough economic conditions, overall…

There is a new addition to the Marshall Motor Group portfolio and it comes in the shape of Maserati and a new site in Peterborough. The move will see the expanding group representing the Italian supercar brand across Cambridgeshire from a new showroom at its Tyrell Park location. Opening in April the five car showroom will provide full service and repair facilities. “We are thrilled to now be working with Maserati, an exciting brand with ambitious plans on the back of its enlarged product range,” said Daksh Gupta , Marshall’s CEO “Peterborough is one of the fastest growing cities in Great Britain and is easily accessible for customers in the surrounding area, making this the ideal location for a new dealership for this brand. We are also excited to be partnering with our first specialist brand given our strategic intent to grow with specialist and premium brands in…

As the economy continues to recover Glass’s is forecasting that sales of new cars will rise by less than 5%  a forecast which is more optimistic  than the 1% growth forecast from the SMMT issued earlier this month “The recovery is now underway, and provided nothing unexpected happens, we have every reason to be optimistic for 2014,” said Andrew Jackson, head of analytics at Glass’s. Looking back at 2013 Jackson said that the big increase in private sales had, in part, been created by grey fleet sales. “During the recession businesses will have viewed the opportunity to reduce non-core expenses, and the management of fleets, as a fast and effective way of reducing overheads. “Whilst the perception is of booming private registrations and slowly recovering business and fleet registrations, the reality is that the line has been blurred as private new registrations are augmented due…

Nissan’s new generation Qashqai won the Car of the Year honours at the What Car Awards, held at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel. The Sunderland-built car, which goes on sale this month, also won the Best Small SUV award, with Nissan’s X-Trail also picking up the Reader Award. BMW received two trophies; the 435i won the Best Coupe award while the new i3 EV claimed the title for Best Green Car. Audi also scooped up two awards with the A3 saloon winning Best executive Car and the A3 Cabriolet won the Best Open Top Car. The What Car? awards, sponsored by Warranty Direct, can act as a valuable sales boost for dealers with last year’s overall winner, Audi’s A3, receiving 125% more searches on Whatcar.com during the four weeks after the event. What Car? Awards 2014 Car of the Year: Nissan Qashqai City car: Hyundai i10…

The online classified market has become the hot spot recently with certain providers doing everything they can to attract dealers one of the most prevalent is  Auto Trader who are trialling a dealer customer rating and review scheme, which it believes will benefit customers and dealers alike. “Dealers should encourage their customers to rate and review them. In a recent survey, 74% of used car website users said they would find dealer ratings useful when buying a car,” said Adam Bullion head of b2b marketing at Auto Trader. likewise Cardeck is using customer reviews to improve its attractiveness for potential dealers. Mart has launched variable charging, allowing dealers to choose their pricing model. RAC Cars refreshed its website in November with enhanced search facilities to allow consumers to search stock within any dealership or a specific dealer group’s stock. Motors.co.uk re-launched its responsive website…