The MoT test may need a radical shakeup to reflect the arrival of electric power and very sophisticated technology fitted to the latest vehicles. That’s the view of KwikFit, which test about a million vehicles annually and head of their service Eric Smith. He points out that currently hybrid models and battery electric vehicles are not tested for emissions and these and other cars have features … [Read more...]
Industry
Manufacturers call for more charging points
Europe needs a million public vehicle charging points inside three years and three million by 2029, car makers have told European governments. Latest figures suggest there are under 230,000 at the moment but car makers are pouring huge investments into evs and say the public network needs to grow and give confidence to buyers who have still to make the switch. ACEA, the car makers' body, said in … [Read more...]
Welsh hydrogen car gets Siemens UK support
One of the world’s leading technology companies has stepped in to boost plans and build hydrogen vehicles in Wales for global sale. Siemens UK has signed a memorandum of understanding with Riversimple, of Llandrindod Wells to make their Rasa car and a local delivery van. The car is already being prepared for trials with 12 drivers living in Abergavenny and the Welsh company installed a … [Read more...]
Thousands of driving jobs unfilled
The UK is facing a shortage of 76,000 thousand drivers, despite the wages being higher than the UK average and jobs waiting. Mark Hall from Divert.co.uk, a rubbish removal company based in York, said, “Young kids don’t think the professional driving industry is sexy enough and instead they are all spending £30,000 on a university degree with a dubious title such as media studies only to … [Read more...]
Tradelines 10 February
The Hyundai Upgrade Event, running throughout February, offers buyers some of the most significant savings ever seen across the Hyundai line-up. Running in tandem with existing deposit contribution offers across the range, the Hyundai Upgrade event allows buyers additional savings of up to £3,000 on top of deposit contributions of up to £3,000 for selected models. Bentley Motors has announced … [Read more...]
Lenders optimistic for 2021 despite sales slowdown
The Q1 2021 Industry Outlook Survey by the Finance & Leasing Association shows that the asset finance, consumer finance and motor finance industry see opportunities for growth over the next year despite the heightened uncertainty caused by the latest restrictions to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic and the UK's lowest January registrations for 50 years. Respondents were divided on the outlook … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 February
The new Vauxhall Mokka B-SUV sector family car is now on sale from £20,735 to £34,970 over the 26-model range. It is sold with 100ps or 130ps 1.2 petrol and 110ps 1.5 diesel engines and also as fully electric with a certified 201 miles charged range and is roomier inside than the previous generation Mokka. The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQA series is now on sale with the 250 Sport from £40,495 … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 February
Ford has pulled the plug on a planned joint venture to build electric vehicles with China’s Zotye Automobile, the U.S. car maker said yesterday. Explaining the U-turn after four years of talks, Ford said China’s electric vehicle industry and policies had undergone major changes since the agreements were signed prompting Ford’s decision. The UK new light commercial vehicle market enjoyed growth … [Read more...]
Europe expect car sales to rise 10% this year
After a year that saw the sharpest drop ever in EU car sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association forecasts that 2021 will mark a first step on the path to recovery, with sales rising by about 10% compared to 2020. The fallout of COVID is expected to persist into the first quarter of 2021, but the car market should pick up in the second half of the year … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta is again Wales best seller
Welsh car buyers have restored the Ford Fiesta to top spot in the sales chart in January as UK registrations hit a 50 years low. Ford dealers registered 122 Fiestas last month, comfortably ahead of the 104 Kia Sportage, which was the top SUV among Welsh families and they were the only two models to exceed 100 sales in the month. Ford suffered badly in Wales last year but it has come back … [Read more...]