Inchcape turned in a buoyant first half performance with profit before tax and one off items up 68 per cent to £115.2m at constant currency.

Vertu has acquired a loss making Seat site in Derby from GK Group, giving the growing group its second outlet with the brand and increasing its presence in the East Midlands.

Skoda has extended its No VAT retail campaign to cover all Octavia, Roomster and Fabia models until 31 December 2010.

Franchised dealers who made major cuts to training budgets in the downturn will be poorly equipped to benefit from changing practices in the recovery, according to a leading automotive academic.

Halfords has blamed political uncertainty and the World Cup for slow sales.

Citygate Group has taken on the Skoda franchise in Colindale, north west London.

JCT600 is launching PriceRight, its new used car supermarket for "lower value" used cars in Rawdon, West Yorkshire.