Pinewood Technologies signs deal for Lookers owner to roll out ‘Automotive Intelligence’ platform

Pinewood Technologies has agreed a landmark five-year deal with Lookers owner Global Auto Holdings (GAH) to roll out its Automotive Intelligence platform at dealerships across the world.
The Canadian-backed GAH operates more than 155 franchise dealerships across North America, Scandinavia and the UK, where it has come under strong criticism for its running of Lookers.
However, recent times have seen the firm look to move on from controversy, with a new top team now in place and looking to bring some much-needed stability.
To that end, the car dealer, and others in the GAH stable, will now utilise Pinewood’s ‘end-to-end ecosystem of apps’, which are ‘designed to help dealership groups unlock automotive business value and drive performance’.
As part of the deal, GAH has been assigned a 7% stake in Pinewood, equating to 6,098,093 ordinary shares.
The majority of those shares (5%) related to rollout of the platform in the UK with 1% each for North America and Scandinavia.
The development comes after Pinewood, which was previously the dealer management software division of Pendragon, also signed with Lithia in the UK.
In a trading update issued this morning, Bill Berman, CEO of Pinewood Technologies Group, hailed the agreement as a major step forward.
He said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Global Auto Holdings as a customer and key partner.
‘This collaboration will drive efficiencies and unlock new revenue opportunities across their dealership network.
‘We have also achieved our goal of securing two of the UK’s top 20 auto retail groups ahead of schedule, reinforcing our market position.’
Roy Cui, European vice president of GAH, echoed the sentiment, adding: ‘Partnering with Pinewood aligns perfectly with our ambition to be the world’s leading consumer-focused automotive company.
‘This collaboration will streamline our operations and enhance stakeholder value.’
Following the deal, Pinewood now forecasts a pre-tax profit for 2024 of £8.3m – £500,000 more than previous market exceptions.
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Barclays assigns £90m to dealing with motor finance crisis despite ‘relatively low market share’

Barclays has become the latest British bank to put aside tens of millions of pounds in order to handle the fallout of the motor finance crisis.
The outfit yesterday published its annual results, which revealed that the bank has assigned a whopping £90m to dealing with potential payouts
The hefty amount is well short of the £165m that Close Brothers has budgeted and the £295m put to one side by Santander. Meanwhile, it is absolutely dwarfed by the £450m, which Lloyds is expecting to spend.
Barclays pulled out of the motor finance sector in 2019 with finance director, Anna Cross, admitting that the bank only had a ‘relatively low market share’ in the ‘low single digits’.
She added that the money assigned to handling any redress scheme was ‘subject to significant uncertainty’, as the industry awaits the result of Close Brothers’ Supreme Court appeal.
That hearing is set to take place in April, with representatives from The Treasury set to give evidence, following an intervention from chancellor Rachael Reeves.
Elsewhere in Barclays’ accounts, it was revealed that the firm reported a pre-tax profit of £8.1bn for 2024, a 24% leap from the £6.6bn it generated in 2023.
Income for its investment bank soared by 28% over the final quarter of the year amid stronger activity in equity markets and increased deal-making.
Group chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan, known within the bank as Venkat, said: ‘In 2024, we met our financial targets, delivering for our customers and clients, with operational and financial performance improvement driven by disciplined execution of the three-year plan.’
Despite the performance, the bank’s share price still fell 4.7% to 293.25p when trading closed yesterday (Thurs) evening.
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Hundreds of BCA workers facing job losses as firm announces shock site closure

Around 200 BCA workers are at risk of losing their jobs after the firm announced the shock closure of one of its remarketing centres.
The auction company is to wind down its Chipping Warden site, with operations moving to existing sites in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Workers were informed on January 28 that the centre would shut down for good in 45 days time, making the final closure date March 14.
The move is said to have ‘shocked and angered’ employees, who were blindsided by the news which ‘came out of the blue’.
Following the decision, one employee told the Banbury Guardian: ‘There are now a lot of people at BCA very upset about the decision.
‘We had no notice, the announcement about 200 redundancies and the centre relocating to Bedford just came completely out of the blue.
‘Just before Christmas we were getting told to up production and we were smashing a lot more cars out than normal and this is the thanks we get for it!
‘I’m now in my sixties and I feel like I’m too old to get another job but too young to retire. I feel like I’ve been thrown into limbo.’
BCA has operated the Chipping Warden site since 2016, when the firm acquired vehicle preparation and storage expert, Ambrosetti.
Confirming the closure, the company said the decision had been made in order to ‘evolve its operational base’.
A spokesperson for BCA said: ‘BCA confirmed that the Chipping Warden Remarketing Centre is set to relocate to other sites it operates in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire and has opened consultation with staff.
‘Like all businesses, BCA needs to evolve its operational base in line with its growth journey and the changing external environment and needs of our customers to ensure we continue to provide market leading service and support.
‘BCA continues to invest heavily in the scale and diversification of our physical estate, developing facilities and building further capability in areas such as cosmetic and mechanical enhancement as well as building remarketing capability across our Vehicle Preparation centres as we seek to make our entire physical footprint multi-functional.
‘Until the consultation is completed, BCA is unable to comment further.’
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Weekly Briefing: Suzuki slashes network, Big cuts back and Cinch ups Vertu stake

If you’re struggling to keep up with the motor trade news, Car Dealer editor in chief James Baggott’s weekly briefing for time poor motor trade bosses is perfect.
His Car Dealer Weekly Briefing summarises this week’s major news on Substack – but you need to be a subscriber to read it.
In his newsletter this week, he looks at the shock news Suzuki is planning to slash its network with 30 dealerships facing the axe. What’s changed there?
Elsewhere, Big Motoring World puts Peter Waddell’s prep centre up for sale and Cinch owner Constellation has been shelling out on Vertu shares yet again. What are they up to?
Also featured in this week’s briefing:
- Used car market grows
- Leapmotor launched
- Honda Nissan talks collapse
- Close Brothers sets aside £165m
- Cut VAT on EV charging call
- BMW workers to strike
- Cox concerns over EV targets
To read the weekly briefing, you need to be a subscriber on Substack.
Subscriptions to the Substack newsletter cost £10 per month, or £100 per year, and there are discounts for companies who want multiple subscriptions for their staff.
You can sign up to read your first newsletter for free today – visit the Substack website and subscribe.
There’s also a list of the top 10 most popular stories on the CarDealerMagazine.co.uk website this week which always makes for interesting reading as you can see what has piqued everyone else’s interest too.
Find it on the Substack website now.
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Cinch and We Buy Any Car owner Constellation Automotive Group ups its stake in Vertu

Constellation Automotive Group has taken its stake in dealer group Vertu to over 10% for the first time, new documents have revealed.
Submissions made this week via the London Stock Exchange show that the Cinch and We Buy Any Car Owner now holds 33,146,043 voting shares in Vertu.
That amounts to 10.007% of all voting rights, up from the 9.758% share in had previously.
Constellation is ultimately owned by private equity house TDR Capital, the firm behind Asda and Euro Garages and its shares in Vertu are owned by its subsidiary ‘Cag Vega 2 Limited’.
The move comes less than a week after Vertu warned that profits would be slashed and jobs axed this year, as a result of the ZEV Mandate and hikes national insurance costs.
Both Constellation and Vertu declined to comment when approached by Car Dealer.
However, market experts have given their opinion, with analysts appearing unsurprised at the developments.
David Kendrick, from accountancy firm Cooper Parry, told Car Dealer that it is unlikely that the rise will lead to a full takeover by Constellation in future.
He said: ‘It does not surprise me at all this move made by Constellation – Vertu shares after the announcement last week have dropped significantly and look extremely good value now.
‘As we saw with the Lookers scenario, I believe this to be a strategic investment, with perhaps an expectation that Vertu will be acquired by another large group or international business.
‘I do not believe it is a move by Constellation to take over Vertu in the longer term. As ever interesting times and Vertu looks exceptional value for someone wanting a significant foothold in the UK automotive retail space.’
Carl Smith, associate director of Zeus Capital, agreed, adding: ‘Vertu shares present very good value given its significant property portfolio.’
Constellation previously upped its share in Vertu three times in the space of just a few months in 2023, taking it at that point to a total holding of 6%.
Through its ownership of Cinch, TDR previously held a 20% stake in Lookers and blocked the first attempt by Canadian car dealer Alpha Auto Group to acquire the business.
It later backed an improved offer for Lookers and cashed in its shares as part of the deal.
Constellation Automotive Group also took Marshall Motor Group private in 2022 after a £325m swoop on the listed business.
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Stellantis-backed Chinese EV brand Leapmotor plans 80 dealers by end of 2025

Chinese electric brand Leapmotor has laid out plans to have 80 dealerships by the end of 2025 and to offer the ‘best value’ electric cars in the UK.
Officially launching this week, Leapmotor already has 44 dealers on its books, and is aiming to have 60 by the summer, rising to 80 by end of the year.
Big players to have already signed up include Arnold Clark and Evans Halshaw, along with smaller multi-franchise dealer groups such as Arbury and Snows.
All dealers will already have franchises with Stellantis, with Leapmotor being positioned alongside other Stellantis brands in showrooms.
Stellantis took a 21% share of the Chinese firm in October 2023, and at the same time created Leapmotor International – a 51:49 joint venture led by Stellantis, which includes exclusive rights for exports, sales and manufacture of Leapmotor cars outside of China.
Stellantis UK is positioning Leapmotor as its ninth brand, while its flagship Stellantis & You showroom in Chiswick, West London, is giving the newcomer equal placement alongside its other storied European marques.

Leapmotor will have dedicated areas in Stellantis showrooms
It’s this Stellantis backing which will give Leapmotor an advantage compared to other new Chinese entrants in the UK, and ultimately give customers ‘peace of mind’, brand director Damien Dally told Car Dealer.
‘We know more people are more open to different things that they were before, but they still have doubts,’ said Dally.
‘Many people [who will be considering Leapmotor] will be making the jump into electric, and that’s a bit of a niggling doubt anyway. The Stellantis backing is our USP.’
Dally explained that Leapmotor will be leveraging Stellantis’s ‘near 130-year heritage’ not just in marketing and positioning, but also when it comes to global aftersales and parts supply.
Leapmotor has launched two models so far in the UK – the £15,995 T03 A-segment city car, and a D-segment SUV called the C10 which is priced at £36,500.
Both cars come in just one specification, with colour being the only optional extra. A four-year warranty is thrown in, too.
Standard equipment of the T03 includes a glass panoramic roof with electric roller-blind, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with sat nav, 15-inch alloys and automatic climate control.
The T03 and C10 will bookend a full range of cars; a C-segment SUV called the B10 is due later this year, while B- and C-segment hatches will arrive in 2026. One year later, a B-segment SUV will be launched.
‘We are aiming to be the best value EV brand in the UK,’ said Dally. ‘We have the highest level of tech and the highest level of specification available.
‘We are not here to create the cheapest brand, but the best value brand in the UK.’
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Nissan and Honda abandon merger talks after failing to agree terms on $58bn deal

A proposed multi-billion-pound merger between Honda and Nissan has fallen through after the carmakers were unable to agree terms.
The $58bn deal, which also included Mitsubishi as a junior partner, would have created in the world’s third biggest carmaker but bosses have been unable to reach an agreement.
Car Dealer reported last week that negotiations were on the brink of collapse talks as a result of ‘different agendas’ from the two firms.
According to multiple media reports, Honda was ‘aggressive’ in wanting to be the senior partner in any merger, effectively turning Nissan into a ‘fully owned subsidiary’.
Now, the two Japanese brands have confirmed that they are walking away from the merger but pledged to work together to develop EV technology.
‘During the discussions between the two companies, various options were considered regarding the structure of the business integration,’ Nissan and Honda said in a joint statement.
‘Honda proposed changing the structure from establishing a joint holding company, where Honda would appoint the majority of directors and the chief executive officer based on a joint share transfer as initially outlined in the memorandum of understanding (MOU), to a structure where Honda would be the parent company and Nissan the subsidiary through a share exchange.
‘As a result of these discussions, both companies concluded that, to prioritise speed of decision-making and execution of management measures in an increasingly volatile market environment heading into the era of electrification, it would be most appropriate to cease discussions and terminate the MOU.
‘Going forward, Nissan and Honda will collaborate within the framework of a strategic partnership aimed at the era of intelligence and electrified vehicles, striving to create new value and maximise the corporate value of both companies.’
Bosses had been hoping that the merger would help the companies see off the threat of Chinese disruptors like BYD.
However, many analysts raised questions about the advantages of such a deal, given that so many of the brands’ existing models already overlap.
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Two used car dealers added to the line-up at Car Dealer Live for special Q&A session

Independent car dealers will take to the stage at the upcoming Car Dealer Live event to discuss the challenges in the used car market.
Award winning used car dealers Farhad Tailor, founder of the used car supermarket business V12 Sports & Classics, as well as Malcolm Beattie, founder of MB Motors Ballymena, are set to give their opinions at our exclusive event.
Car Dealer Live takes place on March 13 at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, and tickets for the motor trade are available now.
The event aims to bring together all walks of the automotive industry for a day of networking and inspirational sessions.
The independent used car dealer panel will follow a series of panel discussions and headline interviews with some of the leading names in the motor trade.
Franchised car dealer bosses as well as car manufacturer chiefs are all set to appear at Car Dealer Live in separate panel sessions.
Headline interviews with Dr Andy Palmer, former Aston Martin CEO, Nicole Melillo-Shaw, Volvo Car UK MD, and John O’Hanlon, CEO of Waylands Automotive will also feature during the packed day.
A special session with former Marshall Motor Group boss Daksh Gupta and Ben CEO Rachel Clift will also discuss how those working in the motor trade can deal with the stress and pressures of the industry.
Tickets
Trading car dealers can book tickets for the event for £160, supplier tickets are £320. Some 10% of ticket sales will be donated to industry charity Ben.
A hotel package is also available which will include a stay at a four-star hotel, a short drive away from the venue, the night before.
Car Dealer will be hosting a social gathering in a dedicated area at the hotel the night before so attendees can network ahead of the main event.
It is essential you book the correct tickets. Non trading car dealers who book car dealer tickets will have their tickets cancelled.
For more information and a full programme of the day visit CarDealerLive.co.uk.
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Family-run car dealership doing its bit for Ukraine with supply of heavy duty vehicles to front line

It may have been almost three years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but the motor trade is still doing its bit to help those in the war torn country.
Ever since the outbreak of war, British car dealers have showcased their generosity with donations of vehicles and supplies to the front line.
Among the firms to step up in a huge way has been Humphries and Parks, which represents KGM and Suzuki from it showroom in Kent.
Led by boss Marcus Joy, the outfit has been sourcing trucks and other heavy duty 4x4s to assist in the war effort.
The retailer has extended its trade network and auction access to charity Car4Ukraine and has also been supplying the operation with vehicles it has taken in as part exchanges and bought locally.
The first consignment of vehicles of 2025 headed for Ukraine on January 19, with shipments set to continue throughout the year.
Car4Ukraine says that staff at Humphries and Parks have ‘thrown themselves behind us’ as it thanked them for their input.
The charity’s UK representative, Richard Lofthouse said: ‘Marcus and his sons Bruno, Sam and Soren have been extremely generous and efficient in offering us workshop facilities at cost price.
‘Soren even drove one of the vehicles right out to Medyca, on the border with Ukraine in Poland. They have really thrown themselves behind us.’
Joy first met officials from Car4Ukraine at the Kent County Show back in 2023 and he subsequently offered Ukrainian and British charities a ‘hub’ to store vehicles before their transport to Ukraine, whether by volunteer driver or in a Polish lorry.
That arrangement worked well, with dozens of pick-up trucks and SUVs and donated cars finding their way to the family-run group’s West Malling site.
The firm has now stepped up its efforts and the charity remains incredibly grateful for its efforts.
Ivan Oleksii, who represents the group in Ukraine, said: ‘The election of Trump might lead you to think that ordinary people would have given up or forgotten our cause, having been illegally invaded by Russia in February 2022, three years ago, yet the opposite is true.
‘We raised a lot of money over Christmas with the help of several prominent influencers and podcasters, and we turn to the UK to buy vehicles because the prices still remain lower than in mainland Europe.
‘We continue to experience strong support from Britons.’
Car Dealer previously spoke to Oleksii in an exclusive interview back in December 2022. At the time he was spearheading a campaign to secure ULEZ non-compliant vehicles for Ukraine.
The drive eventually forced London mayor, Sadiq Khan into a policy U-turn, leading to more than 600 vehicles being sent to Ukraine.
Speaking about which cars are best suited to the demands, Lofthouse says that Mitsubishi L200s and Toyota Hiluxes, typically with less than 130,000 miles on the clock, are exactly what they are looking for.
He added that ideal vehicles will be in the £3,000 to £3,500 price bracket and on 09 to 13 plates.
Overall, it is thought that tens of thousands of vehicles have gone from the UK to Ukraine in the past three years, largely through volunteer groups such as Car4Ukraine.
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Industry leaders demand VAT cut on public EV charging as lobby group writes to Treasury

An EV lobby group has written to the chancellor demanding that VAT be cut on public charging, with industry big wigs lining up to back the proposals.
FairCharge, which campaigns for ‘EV affordability for all’, has written to the Treasury urging them to cut VAT on public charging from 20% to 5%.
It says the move would help build consumer confidence and increase EV take up among buyers who can’t charge at home.
It had previously been hoped that the measure would be included in last autumn’s Budget but the government largely resisted calls for additional EV support.
FairCharge says is has been ‘surprised’ by how ‘reluctant’ the Government has been to act on the issue, labelling the stance a ‘bizarre and conspicuous policy omission’.
Quentin Willson, founder of FairCharge, said: ‘I ask the Chief Secretary of the Treasury that he must realise, with the UK as the most successful EV market in Europe, the opportunities for growth in the sector are significant.
‘But holding that growth back is an archaic piece of tax legislation conceived before the era of electric cars.
‘So many voices are now calling for a cut in the VAT on public charging that the Treasury’s negative response seems almost churlish.
‘We spoke about this unfair tax anomaly before Labour came to power. It’s time for you and I to talk again.’
The calls have been backed by several powerful leaders from within the automotive industry, including the bosses of Stellantis and Polestar.
Eurig Druce, group managing director of Stellantis UK, said: ‘The path to electric has been set but there is a real risk of creating a two-tier motoring system where those with a driveway pay less to get around than those without.
‘That can’t be right and that’s why we support the FairCharge campaign.’
Matt Galvin, managing director of Polestar UK, added: ‘We have been calling for VAT on public charging to be brought into line with home charging for some time now.
‘This is an urgent requirement to support EV adoption, particularly to encourage the private buyer, and prevent unfair costs to those without driveways.
‘Manufacturers have invested billions of pounds in EV technology to meet mandates and now the industry needs the Government to play their vital role in achieving a net zero car market which is pivotal to improve air quality and slow down climate change.’
Labour says it remains committed to seeing the UK switch over to EVs, having reinstated the 2030 ban when it took office last year.
The Government also recently announced plans to pump £65m into kerbside charging firm Connected Kerb, in a bid to help improve infrastructure for those without a driveway.
However, the issue of VAT on public charging so far remains unaddressed and experts believe action now needs to be taken.
‘The Government has championed the EV transition with bold policies and strategy plans, but has yet to act on one of the simplest, most obvious changes – cutting VAT on public charging,’ said Delvin Lane, CEO at InstaVolt.
‘This small change would bring fairness to those without home chargers, encourage more drivers to switch, and support price parity between home and public charging.
‘It is surprising that there has been no movement on this. With so much at stake for effectively so little cost, the Government should act now to remove this barrier and avoid stalling the EV revolution.’
Ian Plummer, Auto Trader’s commercial director, added: ‘It is simply unfair that EV owners without driveways should have to pay more for the privilege to charge their car and therefore to positively improve air quality.
‘It’s time for the Treasury to address this injustice and give EVs the best chance of widespread adoption.
‘We need this transition to be fair and equitable for all, regardless of whether people have a driveway or not. Consumers need more of a reason to make the switch so removing barriers and making EVs more affordable to own is only going to accelerate adoption.’
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