Our fortnightly news update from Ennis & Co brings you the very latest topical insights within the automotive industry and beyond, from various UK-based and international media sources.
This week’s update covers the following topics:
· New appointments in the industry
· Automotive retail
· Automotive trends
· “Ones to Watch”: the latest automotive webinars
| New Appointments in Automotive |
Lisa Brankin appointed Managing Director, Ford of Britain and Ireland  Lisa Brankin has been appointed as managing director, Ford of Britain and Ireland, effective Nov. 1, 2020. In this role, Brankin will be responsible for all of Ford’s marketing, sales and service activities in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and will report to Jon Williams, vice president, Sales, Ford of Europe. Read the full article here |
Kia Motors appoints Won Kyu Kang as Head of Design Innovation Division  Kia Motors Corporation has appointed Won Kyu Kang as Vice President and Head of the Kia Design Innovation Group. Starting in his new role in November, Mr. Kang will be based at the brand’s design headquarters, Kia Design Center in Namyang, Korea and will report to Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Design Center. Read the full article here |
Professor Jim Saker appointed as new President of the Institute of the Motor Industry  The Institute of the Motor Industry’s Annual General Meeting (27th October 2020) saw the announcement of its new President, Professor Jim Saker, as well as the appointment of two new Vice Presidents: Linda Jackson (PSA) and Sandy Burgess (SMTA). Kevin Finn and Tony Tomsett were also confirmed as Chairman and Honorary Treasurer respectively. Read the full article here |
Seat appoints Lucas Casasnovas as new Head of Urban Mobility  Seat has appointed Lucas Casasnovas as its new Head of Urban Mobility. His role will include all projects related to new urban mobility, including XMOBA and Respiro. Read the full article here |
Electric vehicle company Canoo announces appointment of Tony Aquila as Executive Chairman  Mr. Aquila is the Founder, and former Chairman and CEO of Solera Holdings, Inc., a global technology company that develops next-generation solutions which manage and protect both businesses and consumers within the automotive, mobility, financial and cybersecurity industries in over 90 countries. Read the full article here |
Retail  Dealers welcome news SsangYong parent company is in talks to distribute Mitsubishi in UK Dealers have welcomed the news that SsangYong GB’s owner is in the running to take over the distribution of Mitsubishi in the UK. Read the full article here |
| Automobile sales are moving online Cox Automotive reported that two out of three vehicle shoppers were now more likely to complete an automotive purchase entirely online than they were before the pandemic. Willingness to complete an automobile purchase online rose 73 percent as compared to sentiments before the outbreak. Read the full article here |
Automotive Trends  Digital New app from Volvo Canada allows for remote service appointment pickup & drop-off Through Volvo Valet, which is available on iOS and Android smartphone devices, vehicle owners can schedule a service appointment with a participating retailer, who will send an employee to pick up the vehicle for service. Read the full article here |
| Mobility TRATON and Hino start e-mobility joint venture TRATON SE and Hino Motors, Ltd. have signed a joint venture agreement for e-mobility in order to plan and provide e-mobility products that will be based on the two companies’ strategic partnership to offer customers the highest value. Read the full article here |
Global market leaders Wejo and Cosworth partner to innovate with connected car data  Wejo, the pioneering connected car data company, today announces an exciting new partnership with iconic automotive specialists Cosworth. Wejo is collaborating with Cosworth to identify and investigate intelligent mobility and vehicle data concepts which will help drive future innovations and enhance the overall experience for the benefit of drivers and car manufacturers. Read the full article here |
Technology  Electrified car registrations overtook diesels in Europe for first time Last month was the first time in history that registrations of electric, plug-in and hybrid cars overtook diesel cars across Europe, new figures reveal. Read the full article here |
| Ones to WATCH MQ! Virtual Innovation Summit 10th & 11th November 2020 Join the MQ! community to discuss, co-create and push the envelope on mobility, together with other experts, thought leaders, scientists, visionaries, forward thinkers. Key topics include sustainability, electric mobility, smart cities and technology ethics. Find out more here |
| Auto Trader – Mystery Shopping Findings 2020 20th November 2pm With over 1000 of top performing retailers being shopped, the program was slightly different this year with judging categories including: Email, Phone and Video Viewings (previously face to face). Find out more here |
| SMMT – Business Preparedness Programme 3rd November 3pm SMMT will be joined by one of its consultancy partners to cover tariffs and rules of origin. This webinar will walk you through the UK’s Global Tariff schedule which will come into effect from 1st January 2021. Find out more here |
