TOYOTA MOVE: Amid speculation that car firms are to take control of their Irish distribution operations from Irish-owned independent distributors, Toyota Ireland, owned by Dr Tim O'Mahony, has secured distribution rights for Toyota models in Ireland for another seven years.
After BMW's decision to take control of its Irish operations from Frank Keane's Motor Import, there were suggestions that Toyota would break with its Irish distributor.
HE'S A DOLL: Ford has sent its US dealers a bobble-head doll of top own-brand sales executive Steve Lyons . The idea is to remind dealers to "nod yes" to increase falling market share. A brave move - Ohio dealer Alfred Anderson says: "I punch my doll in the head whenever I get mad about something."
VW SHAKE-UP: The shake-up at Volkswagen continues with the resignation of Robert Büchelhofer, board member responsible for sales and marketing. This is the second boardroom change since Bernd Pischetsrieder took over as chief executive a year ago. This new departure comes as VW fights sluggish demand for an ageing product line and growing competition from Europe and Japan.
FORD CUTBACKS: The world's largest marketing and advertising group, WPP, has suffered a mauling after its biggest client, Ford, said it was seeking a 20 per cent reduction in marketing spend as part of an acceleration of its $9 billion cutback programmes. Ford accounts for 8 per cent of WPP revenues. Bill Ford, chairman of the car maker, has asked nine in-house teams to save 20 per cent in costs not directly related to production - or $6 billion over the next few years.
STOP THIEF: A serial car thief has been banned from every car park in England and Wales by a district judge. An anti-social behaviour order was brought by Manchester City Council against Geoffrey Hampshire (29), of Wythenshawe, Manchester, who, over 13 years, has had 27 convictions involving 118 offences. He once stole a car to drive to a meeting with a probation officer.
FIAT-SUZUKI DEAL: Fiat, seeking to fill gaps in its line- up, is joining with Suzuki to develop an SUV to be made at Suzuki's plant near Budapest late in 2005. In 1999 Fiat and Mitsubishi planned a joint SUV for 2001, but Daimler- Chrysler's purchase of Mitsubishi in 2000 scuppered the venture. Suzuki is 20 per cent owned by GM, which owns 20 per cent of Fiat Auto and has joint ventures with it for gears and engines.
SPORTS DEAL: Subaru and Saab are to make a small sports car, according to Tokyo newspapers. Subaru, owned by Fuji Heavy, in which GM has a 20 per cent and Saab, fully owned by GM, aim to roll out the car worldwide by 2005.