New regulations that bring smaller light commercial vehicles travelling to the EU under the requirement to have an International Operator’s Licence will place key demands on fleets in the future, says FleetCheck. The fleet software company reports that, from 2 May, all organisations running LCVs of between 2.5-3.5 tonnes will need to obtain the accreditation as part of the UK-EU Trade and … [Read more...]
Industry
Tesla is world’s most researched car brand
Global car exports are worth billions in the automotive industry, with manufactures around the world providing their cars to countries far and wide. To reveal which countries are home to the most popular car brands, Confused.com analysed Google searches from across the globe and it was Tesla that came out on top as the most searched for car brand. The American electric car brand owned … [Read more...]
Keeping Land Cruisers going
The legendary Land Cruiser 40 is the latest great Toyota to benefit from Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Heritage Parts Project. TGR announced today that it is reproducing key discontinued components for the model, helping enthusiasts keep more of these mighty SUVs on the road. Around the world, the Land Cruiser 40 became symbolic of “go anywhere” performance, a tough and hugely capable 4×4 with a … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 January
The RAC’s patrols attended over 10,000 pothole-related breakdowns last year – the equivalent of 27 every single day and the highest annual total since 2018, new figures show. The breakdown company’s individual members experienced a total of 10,123 breakdowns for broken suspension springs, distorted wheels and damaged shock absorbers through last year, 10% more than in 2019 (9,198) and 19% more … [Read more...]
Welsh engineering company closes after 75 years
Allevard Springs will close its South Wales car components plant. About 60 jobs will go. The company moved to Tonypandy as part of the UK Government’s encouragement to boost jobs in South Wales following WW2 and it started production in 1947 for Land Rover. Work expanded and it was a significant supplier to car and light commercial vehicles over the next 70 years but the contraction in vehicle … [Read more...]
Audi & Porsche look at green F1 racing
German media reports discussions are at an advanced stage for Audi and Porsche to enter F1 in a couple of years. The Volkswagen Group supervisory board could decide next month whether its Audi and Porsche subsidiaries should compete in Formula One, German business paper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) reported. It would be costly but would give the two brands increased marketing exposure in … [Read more...]
New bespoke sports car moves production to Italy
Manifattura Automobili Torino, a boutique car manufacturer, and Jannarelly Automotive, a designer and developer of ultralight sports cars, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on automotive design, engineering and production projects. The two businesses will kick-off their collaboration by transferring production of Jannarelly’s Design-1 from Jannarelly’s workshop in … [Read more...]
Rally1 cars unveiling this weekend
The superstars of the FIA World Rally Championship’s ground-breaking new hybrid era will rip the wrapping from the 2022 season at a spectacular year launch in Austria next weekend. For the first time, the WRC’s dramatic new-generation Rally1 cars from the three manufacturer teams will be together in Salzburg’s innovative Hangar-7 museum as the series’ new-look sustainable future is unveiled on … [Read more...]
Training for a new world of business
The Association of Fleet Professionals has unveiled the new Fleet Academy with an extensive programme of training for 2022. The launch marks the moment when the AFP takes over all professional tuition activities from the Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM). The AFP was formed almost two years ago by uniting the ICFM with the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO). Paul Hollick (right), … [Read more...]
Tap and go transport trial in Wales
London-style tap and go ticketing will be tested on some Welsh bus and train services. Transport for Wales is gearing up to pilot pay-as-you-go ticketing on trains and buses – something the Welsh Conservatives have repeatedly called for. It will mean passengers can tap their bank cards on the barrier gates to travel on trains and buses, similar to the set up in London. Since being elected to … [Read more...]