AM ONLINE
Arnold Clark to be exclusive Scottish retail partner for China’s BYD EV brand
Arnold Clark will add its first new franchise car retail partner since it exited the Ford and Toyota networks when it becomes Scotland’s sole BYD electric vehicle (EV) retailer next year.
Chief executive Eddie Hawthorne revealed to AM that the AM100 car retail giant will open a new build dealership in Glasgow, to give the market newcomer a “premier base”, before expanding out as volumes rise.
News of Arnold Clark’s partnership with BYD comes three months after Pendragon revealed its intention to broaden its franchise portfolio by partnering with the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) brand.
Hawthorne told AM: “BYD has given us the Scottish region for distribution and the initial dealership will be in Glasgow. That will give us a premier site that we can get up and running before assessing volumes and expanding out from there.
AM ONLINE
Lookers' Charles Hurst division to open Northern Ireland’s only Lotus Cars dealership
Lookers’ Charles Hurst car retail division has struck an agreement with sports car maker Lotus Cars to develop its only dealership in Northern Ireland.
The Geely-owned performance car brand’s new Emira coupe all-electric Eletre SUV will be introduced to the group’s Boucher Road car retail complex in Belfast under a new agency model retail agreement between the two parties.
Featuring the latest Lotus corporate identity (CI), the new facility is scheduled to open its doors to customers in early 2023.
Charles Hurst’s group operations director Jeff McCartney said: “The new Lotus dealership reflects our continued commitment and investment in elite car brands, consolidating Belfast’s status as the official home to the very best in luxury and performance motoring.
AM ONLINE
IMI's 2022 Skills Competition celebrates talent of young automotive technicians
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has celebrated the talents of some of the UK’s top young technicians after revealing the winners of its 2022 Skills Competition.
Lookers' Charles Hurst, AM Philip Truck Tech, IRG Pontypridd and Scania technicians scooped gold awards in the annual challenge after demonstrating their skills to emerge as the top-ranked performers from a field of entrants that included over 500 students and apprentices.
A total of 23 winners were selected for awards across four categories: Light Vehicle Technology, Body Repair, Refinishing and Heavy Vehicle.
AM ONLINE
Marshall and JCT600 leaders complete ‘tough and emotional’ Kilimanjaro climb for Ben
Car retail group leaders from JCT600 and Marshall Motor Group have successfully completed their trek up Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the automotive charity Ben.
JCT600 director of customer experience Andy Bateman teamed-up with Vauxhall Bradford dealership manager James Tordoff as Marshall commercial development director Adrian Wallington and franchise director Clive McGregor took on the epic seven-day expedition as part of a £300,000 sponsorship drive.
And the team today (November 28) celebrated success ahead of a return flight to the UK.
MOTOR TRADER
JCT600 opens new Ferrari showroom in Leeds
JCT600 has opened a new Ferrari showroom in Leeds. The new mono-brand dealership features a much larger new and Ferrari Approved showroom, with Ferrari’s latest Corporate Identity.
The new dealership displays the current Ferrari product range as well as cars from the Ferrari Approved programme over two floors, with further vehicles displayed externally.
Tom Armstrong, brand director for JCT600’s specialist brands said: “We’re proud to build on our long-standing relationship with Ferrari with the opening of this state-of-the-art facility in a high-profile location in Leeds city centre. After more than 40 years of working with the coveted Prancing Horse, it remains one of the most iconic and best-loved marques among enthusiasts around the world and we are enjoying welcoming customers from across the north to this stunning landmark centre.”
AM ONLINE
Hendy Group joins Maserati network with Poole car dealership opening
Hendy Group ramps-up the luxury of its franchise portfolio with the opening of a Maserati car dealership in Poole today (December 1). The AM100 car retail group brought its relationship with the iconic Italian performance car brand to fruition at its Hendy Sports Cars Centre on the A350 West Quay Road.
It joins a diverse line-up of brands for the retail group, which has recently added Lotus Cars and the Moke brand to its list of OEM partners. Hendy now represents 21 automotive brands in the UK from 65 locations in the south and southwest.
MOTOR TRADER
Who won what at the 2022 Car Dealer Used Car Awards?
Used Commercial Vehicle Dealer:
Winner: Perrys Aylesbury Commercial Centre
Diversity & Inclusion:
Winner: Sytner
