BMW has reaffirmed its planned move to the agency sales model for its network, saying it is part of its strategic plan. Speaking to Auto Retail Agenda ahead of an investor conference in the Netherlands, BMW UK CEO David George, who took over at the end of last year, confirmed the manufacturer was sticking with […]
Read More →Inchcape PLC has confirmed it has had several approaches to sell its UK retail division. In a Stock Exchange announcement, the global business said: “Inchcape confirms that following approaches from a number of interested parties it is reviewing strategic options for the UK Retail business, which potentially could include a sale. This review is at […]
Read More →Penske Automotive Group has agreed to acquire Rybrook Group’s 15 premium dealerships in the UK. The Rybrook portfolio consists of four BMW dealerships, four MINI dealerships, four Volvo dealerships, two Land Rover dealerships and one Porsche dealership. Three of the BMW locations also retail BMW Motorrad motorcycles. The dealerships to be acquired represent an estimated […]
Read More →BMW sustainability chief Thomas Becker says banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is not the answer to addressing the climate crisis. He added that Rishi Sunak’s delayed ban of ICE cars to 2035 will not affect the company’s EV plans. “We didn’t support it in the outset,” he said. “We are critical […]
Read More →BMW and MINI retailer Vines saw profit before tax grow from £3.9m to £5.7m in the year ended December 2022. The company’s turnover increased from £196.2m to £218.6m. It is the third year running of profit growth, following several years of losses up to 2021. Although service labour margins were up, it warned the proliferation […]
Read More →BMW has revealed more about its direct-sales agency model, which will see it invoice customers directly and retailers receive a fixed fee for each sale. Sales and marketing boss Pieter Nota said it will start with Mini in 2024 and all BMW cars in 2026. Often Misunderstood Nota was keen to stress “the agency model […]
Read More →Soper Lincoln BMW has installed two ultra-rapid ABB Terra 360kW electric car chargers. Dealer principal Andrew Tullie claims they are the fastest in the country and can provide 62 miles’ charge in 3 minutes. One unit is on the retailer forecourt, and the other is dedicated to the 15-bay workshop. Each unit can charge two […]
Read More →BMW will require retailers to feature fewer cars in their showrooms as part of its new global Retail Next concept. Each model will have a display with premium lounge-like seating and unique lighting. It debuts in the US in July and aims to make retailers feel more experiential and less transactional. “It’s about recognising that […]
Read More →Franchised dealer group, Halliwell Jones has submitted plans for a new dealership on a site in Handforth. If successful the new site would replace three existing premises in the town and nearby Wilmslow, in Cheshire. The retailer believes the current sites are no longer fit for purpose. The proposed development will occupy a 2.43 hectares […]
Read More →BMW has reset retailer targets for the rest of 2017. This follows negative feedback from retailers in the first half of the year. The German premium brand had the biggest fall in the latest NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey earlier this month. They have attributed the poor performance to a drop in retailer profitability. “In response […]
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