THE Scottish Motor Show opened 30 minutes early yesterday as several
hundred people gathered impatiently at the gates of the Scottish
Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.
To the sound of Flower of Scotland, the car buffs flooded into the
#15m show, delighting officials of the Scottish Motor Trade Associations
who are putting a brave face on a depressed new car market, down 20%
over the first nine months of this year.
But the industry was advised to transform its ''lousy image'' by
eliminating price haggling and providing good consumer services by
Vauxhall's sales and marketing director, Mr Peter Batchelor.
Mr Batchelor contrasted the generally negative image of car sellers
with the public's perception of retail companies like Marks & Spencer
and Boots.
Vauxhall, with a clear run as the major high-volume manufacturer at
the SECC due to the absence of Ford and Rover, used the show to launch a
fixed-price maintenance and service scheme.
This involves two or three year contracts with equivalent 40,000 and
60,000 mile cover guaranteeing servicing, repairs, and replacement of
wear and tear items.
The company claims a Vauxhall Nova can be covered for the same price
as three packets of cigarettes a week, equal to a two-year Master Cover
payment of #699.
As the industry braces itself for the Monopolies and Mergers
Commission's report on car retailing, a leading official blamed high
prices on the ''real villain'' -- the 10% special car tax.
Mr Colin Hope, president of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and
Traders, called on Chancellor Norman Lamont not to hit car builders and
sellers with a second adverse budget, particularly in relation to
company car tax.
Mr Hope said that, while vehicle manufacturing industry was massed
south of the Border, there remained considerable opportunities for
Scotland to exploit its engineering heritage. His own company, T & N,
which supplies motor components, is investing #18m in a new plant at
Whitehills, West Lothian.
Scottish motor sport success was recognised by British Open rally
champion Colin McRae's appearance on the Subaru stand.
But his father, Jimmy, a five-times winner of the title, failed in his
unfamiliar role as navigator by delivering Colin late for a press
photocall after falling foul of rush-hour traffic delays.
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