April-May Roundup

So much for this being a monthly roundup of my work as a freelance. But the positive spin is that I’ve been so busy it’s been two months since my last roundup.

As I’ve already reported, April saw the launch of the Auto Retail Network website, which I project managed and occupied a large amount of my time.

In between, I tested a Mitsubishi L200 for BusinessCar and a Hyundai Santa Fe.

At the end of the month, I attended the launch of the IMI’s AMA scheme at the CBI. Which neatly translates into the Institute of the Motor Industry launching an approved Automotive Management Accreditation training scheme in London.

Into May and I was up at Land Rover’s HQ in Gaydon to hear about its hybrid car developments as well as its plans for the baby Range Rover. But best of all was the firm’s 3D design/engineering cave that cost several million pounds and allowed users to view digital full-size engineering models. Stunning.

The majority of May was then taken up with final organsation for ARN’s Social Media seminars for retailer members.

However, it was the final week of May that I was most looking forward to; a trip to South Korea with Kia to catch up on their future new model developments.

The group of 10 journalists that went learnt a huge amount and the stories I’ve written are still trickling out on various websites, but to start there was a drive of the next Kia Magentis due late next year and plans for a new dealer branding on Auto Retail Network. And there’s plenty more to come on BusinessCar too.

Finally, the Nissan Qashqai test I wrote for the Sunday Express  a few weeks back has been published (print only).