New car marketNewsDealer ConferenceUsed car analysisNewsRecruitmentdigestDealerprofileShowroom Continues overAM Digest News round-upDealer newsCambria disposalCar dealer group Cambria Automobiles has sold a Midlands dealership which it said did not fit with its strategy. It has completed the sale of its Birmingham Triumph motorcycle outlet to the company behind Ducati Manchester. Cambria managing director Tim Duckers told AM the group is pleased to continue its relationship with Triumph at its other two Pure Triumph dealerships, in Wellingborough and Woburn, which work closely with each other.Source AM May 25Read more....Caffyns cashes in on propertyCar dealer group Caffyns has raised £1.28m in the sale of a property in West Sussex. It has exchanged contracts with Aliva Estates for the sale of its freehold site at 24-26 Goring Road, Goring-by-Sea. The gain on sale is approximately £800,000. Source AM May 25Read more....Chingford Vauxhall opensVertu has opened its Bristol Street Motors Vauxhall brand centre in Chingford and has taken on 26 additional staff to operate the showroom. The dealer group has invested £5 million in the two-storey showroom. It is on the former Shadbolt International factory site which had fallen into disrepair until it was secured by Vauxhall Motors and planning permission was granted to build a car dealership by Bristol Street Motors.Source AM June 6Read more....Parkway invests in interactionMidlands-based used car specialist Parkway Motor Group has upgraded its telecom systems across its four dealerships in order to improve the way it interacts with customers. The group had previously moved its telephone systems into the digital age with an internet based VoIP call system (voice over internet protocol). However, the business saw that customers were increasingly using email to communicate with the contact centres, but there were no reporting tools in place to monitor how many emails were coming through and how quickly they were being responded to.Source AM May 30Read more....Manufacturer newsIncentive scheme from MGMG Motor UK is launching a special discount scheme for employees of its local industry, council and other organisations. It has launched a MG Privileged Members Car Scheme, with initial membership offered to 46,000 people working for Birmingham City Council. Other local organisations will be invited later.Source AM May 24Read more...EV roadshowRenault is embarking on an electric vehicle roadshow visiting 15 cities around the UK to help boost awareness of the technology to consumers. Andy Heiron, UK head of electric vehicles programme, believes getting customers behind the wheel will convince buyers that EVs are a

viable alternative for certain customers. The events will offer accompanied test drives in the Twizy, Fluence ZE and Kangoo Van ZE. A Zoe will be on show and available to order.Source AM June 1Read more...Skoda spends on marketingSkoda has launched a big marketing push behind its new Citigo with a multi-million pound campaign which includes a series of 30-second TV commercials. The series of four adverts position the Citigo as a new "communication tool". Each execution will focus on a specific product feature of the city car, including its City Safe self-activating brake assist, portable infotainment device and the vehicle's internal dimensions.Source AM June 6Read more...Longer warranty for IsuzuIsuzu's new Isuzu D-Max pick-up will launch in July with a five-year/120,000 mile warranty. The new warranty package comprises a standard 36-month/60,000-mile manufacturer's warranty and an extended warranty provided by UK importers IM Group to take it up to five years and 120,000 miles.Source AM May 21Read more...Jaguar events contractEvents services provider Grass Roots Live has been retained by Jaguar to run its experiential programme for the next three years. The programme covers 350 events, including dealer ride and drive days for Jaguar's 90-strong national network, track experiences at venues such as Thruxtron, Rockingham and Oulton Park, the Motorexpo show at Canary Wharf and Cholmondeley Pageant of Power.Source AM May 29Read more...Fiat and Mazda partnershipFiat Group has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Mazda to develop and manufacture a new rear-wheel drive roadster based on the MX-5 for Alfa Romeo and the Japanese brand. Each version will be distinctly styled to fit with each brand and will run with engines unique to each brand.Source AM May 23Read more...JLR reports profit riseJaguar Land Rover has reported a 34% rise in pre-tax profits to £1.5 billion in 2011. Parent company Tata Motors said the significant increase in retail sales by 27% to 305,859 units was due to strong demand from China and emerging markets.Source AM May 30Read more...Owner reviews influence buyersTwo-thirds of car buyers read owner reviews prior to making their purchase decision before visiting a dealership. The research of 1,000 UK consumers by social commerce provider Reevoo also finds that consumers are more likely to buy from a site that offers customer reviews, with 60% reporting being 'much more' or 'more' likely to make a purchase if the retailer's web presence includes customer reviews.Source AM May 29Read more...AM Digest News round-up Continues