2 MOTORING FRIDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2009THE SCOTSMAN
SteeringColumn
BSM bosses take the
wheel in �10m deal
THE British School of Motoring
(BSM) has changed hands for
the second time in less than a
year after its bosses this week
announced a �10 million deal to
take the wheel.
BSM's joint managing
directors Abu-Haris Shafi and
Nikolai Kesting, who led the
takeover, outlined ambitious
plans to recruit another 3,000
driving instructors and open
new centres within the next two
years.
The acquisition comes just
nine months after insurance
giant Aviva sold BSM to German
private equity group Arques
Industries, which had
parachuted Mr Shafi and Mr
Kesting in to manage the
driving school.
The pair, who previously held
a minority stake in BSM, now
own 100 per cent of the Bristol-
based driving school having
agreed to pay the full �10
million to Arques over a
number of years.
BSM � founded nearly 100
years ago � teaches more than
130,000 learners each year and
claims a share of around 10 per
cent of the UK driving school
market.
The school's new owners
want to add to its existing 94
centres and double its 3,000
strong driving instructor base.
Mr Shafi said: "Nikolai and I
are honoured to take over the
ownership of this iconic
company.
"We are excited to be taking
this strong British brand
forward and continuing its
growth by offering the best
expertise for learners and a
secure financial future for our
staff and instructors."
Wash and go on trial
IT WAS just a routine car wash.
Except there was no car � and no
clothing.
Four Australian men who
allegedly undressed and soaped
up at a car wash have been
charged with exposure and
public nuisance.
Police say the two 19-year-old
and two 23-year-old men paid
for a wash before stripping
nude and cleaning themselves
in the soapy water while their
female companions took
photographs.
Police arrived mid-cycle after
being called on Sunday by
Smart Wash operators in the
town of Biloela in Queensland
state.
The four men are due to
appear in court next month.
Police and the car wash
operator warned the public
against mimicking the men,
with police saying this week
that the high-pressure washer
could be dangerous, especially
if it goes in the eyes.
Tie-up to boost
Chinese car firms
TWO state-owned companies
announced plans to combine
their automaking assets this
week amid government efforts
to build up Chinese car
producers that can compete in
the global market.
Changan Automobile Group
will take over the auto assets of
Aviation Industry Corp of
China, which will receive a 23
per cent stake in Changan, the
firms said in a statement quoted
by the state Xinhua News
Agency.
The assets include joint
ventures with Japanese
automakers Suzuki and
Mitsubishi.
Xinhua said the deal was one
of the biggest in recent years in
China's auto industry but gave
no financial details.
A government plan released
this year calls for building up
two to three large Chinese
automakers with annual
production capacity of two
million vehicles. It is part of
official ambitions to create
globally competitive companies
in a range of industries
including telecommunications
and finance.
China's auto sales are the
world's highest this year and the
country has dozens of domestic
automakers. However, domestic
brands are small, while the
country's biggest producers are
General Motors Co. and
Germany's Volkswagen AG.
China's auto sales in October
soared by 72 per cent from the
same month of 2008 to 1.2
million vehicles, the state-
sanctioned China Association
of Automobile Manufacturers
reported this week. Total
Chinese sales so far this year are
10.9 million vehicles, compared
with 8.6 million in the United
States, according to Autodata
Corp.
Changan is China's fourth-
largest domestic automaker,
with an 11 per cent share of the
market, according to JD Power
and Associates.
Ross Brawn has conceded that team sponsor Virgin "have different ambitions next year"
Brawndoesnot
expecttorenew
Virgindealfor
newF1season
ROSS Brawn does not
expect his team's cars to
carry the sponsorship of
Sir Richard Branson's
Virgin Group next season.
Virgin agreed to sponsor
the team in March, weeks
after Brawn had secured its
survival in the wake of
Honda's decision to pull
out of the sport.
The decision paid off as
Jenson Button took the
drivers' championship.
But team principal Mr
Brawn said: "We had a great
year with Virgin but they
have different ambitions
next year so it's unlikely
you will see their name on
the car next year."
Mr Brawn also hinted a
link-up with Mercedes-Benz
was not far from being
finalised. The German car
giants have been linked with
taking a 75 per cent stake in
the Brackley-based team,
which could provide the
backing required to again
see off Ferrari and McLaren.
"Without the [Mercedes]
engine we would not have
won the championship,"
said Mr Brawn. "We have a
great partnership. We are
looking at all opportunities
but it is too early to
announce anything yet."
09/09 Passat CC 2.0 Tdi GT 170 BHP
Specification Includes: Panoramic Roof, Alloys, Nappa Leather,
Alarm Park Assist including Front and Rear Sensors, DVD Nav, ABS.
Cost
New �29,630
�23,995Western
Price
08/58 GOLF Match Tdi 1.9
Specification Includes: Alloy Wheels, Air Con, Remote Locking,
Cruise Control, Electric Windows, MFSW.
Cost
New �15,717
�12,995Western
Price
09/09 JETTA 2.0 Tdi SE
Specification Includes: Alloys, Aircon, Power Steering, Airbags,
Remote Locking, Alarm, Heated Mirrors, Electric Windows, ABS.
Cost
New �20,310
�16,995Western
Price
Approved Used Volkswagens.
Used Volkswagens at prices you won't be used to.
Calls charged at local rate and may be monitored for training purposes. Images for illustration purposes only.
Approved Used
454 Gorgie Road (G)
Edinburgh EH11 2RN.
Whitehill Rd, Fort Kinnaird (F)
Edinburgh EH15 3HR.
Western For more information please call
0845 543 5632
or for a full list of vehicles visit
www.western.volkswagen.co.uk
08/58 GOLF Bluemotion S Tdi
Specification Includes: Gear Change Indicator, Cheap Road Tax,
Electric Windows, ABS, ESP, Remote Central Locking.
Cost
New �15,936
�12,995Western
Price
09/09 JETTA 1.9 Tdi S
Specification Includes: Alloy Wheels, Air Conditioning, Electric Front
Windows, ABS, CD Player, Remote Locking, Power Steering.
Cost
New �17,250
�13,995Western
Price
09/09 PASSAT 2.0 Tdi SPORT EST
Specification Includes: Alloys, Remote Locking, Aircon, CD,
Pwr Steering, Airbags, Roof Rails, Height Adjustable Steering.
Cost
New �23,150
�18,995Western
Price

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12Page 13Page 14Page 15Page 16 Produced by PageSuite