New car marketNewsDealerprofileNew car newsUsed car RecruitmentanalysisNews digestShowroomWakefield dealershipshowroom unveiledby the end of this year almost all of our dealers will have adopted our new brand identity."The red cube gives us real stand-out power at new-build and landmark sites and I would expect another five or six such showrooms in the UK over the course of the next year," he added.The Arnold Clark Northwich showroom took 16 weeks to build and is the group's eighth Kia deal-ership across the country.Eddie Hawthorne, managing director of Arnold Clark Automobiles, said: "We are delighted with the new showroom and it is great to be the first in the UK to showcase Kia's new flagship red cube."We were very happy with the build process, we are very happy with its simple, practical, but stunning style and I am sure it is going to really deliver for Arnold Clark." facturers (Volvo, Honda, Renault, Mit-subishi, Honda, Nissan and Kia). The business saw growth in 2011 and has almost completed construc-tion of a new HQ.No change in MoT test frequency The Government has confirmed that the frequency of the MoT test will not change as part of its wider review of vehicle testing in the UK.The Government first announced its inten-tion to look at changing the MoT test to a 4-2-2 system 18 months ago to bring it in line with European rules.In a written ministerial statement, transport secretary Justine Greening said: "Having listened to the very many views put forward and considered the available evidence, I have decided that I am not going to carry out further work in relation to relaxing the first test date or the frequency of testing."However, the DfT will be looking at other areas of vehicle testing after Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) data showed that more than a quarter (27.7%) of vehicles tested had one or more car defects that were either missed by MoT test centres or incorrectly assessed. VOSA also found that the roadworthiness of one-in-eight cars (12.4%) was being incorrectly assessed by MoT test centres.To view a full gallery of images showing Kia Red Box CI Click here

New car marketNewsDealerprofileNew carnewsUsed carRecruitmentanalysisNews digestShowroomShortlist of finalists unveiledAll eyes focused on industry's top awards ceremony at Birmingham on February 15By Luke ClementsAM can reveal the finalists selected for this year's AM Awards.Our panel of judges, chaired by Christopher Macgowan, spent the end of last month consid-ering all the entries, including audits by awards partner MSX International, to whittle them down to a final shortlist.The winner of each category will be revealed only on the night of the 2012 AM Awards (www.am-awards.co.uk) on February 15 at Birming-ham's International Convention Centre.Here are the shortlists for the 2012 AM Awards:Innovation AwardsBest Training Programme sponsored by Black HorseCross Roads Subaru Foray Motor Group Perrys Motor SalesBest Dealer Website sponsored by Motors.co.ukFords of Winsford Grimshaws Vauxhall Lookers Vospers MotorhouseBest Digital Initiative sponsored by Razsor Co-operative Motor Group Grants Seat Harwoods GroupBest Marketing Initiative sponsored by Auto Trader Blackshaws Garage (Alnwick) Harwoods Group Mercedes-Benz UK - Live RaceExcellence in BusinessExcellence in Customer Service sponsored by EmacCox Motor Group - Lancaster Honda Knights North Staffordshire Wood in SalisburyMost Improved Company of the Year sponsored by Total Lubricants Luscombe Suzuki Leeds Unity Automotive PeterboroughSales Team of the Year (New or Used Cars) sponsored by: Barclays Partner Finance Lodge Garage Romford Mazda Continues