Motorists' complaints about electric vehicles and dealers selling them are rising, reports The Motor Ombudsman. The latest increase may be put down to a greater number of consumers getting behind the wheel of pure battery-driven models, and the cost of living crisis driving more individuals to recoup financial losses, as pressures on household budgets continue to build. The … [Read more...]
The Metro 6R4 Diaries
Welsh automotive engineer Wynne Mitchell has accrued considerable motorsport experience, having started his career as a student apprentice with the Rootes Group before studying mechanical engineering at Birmingham University. In July 1984 Wynne joined Austin Rover Group (ARG) to work on the company’s sensational offering for the Group B era – the MG Metro 6R4 – with overall responsibility for all … [Read more...]
KIA in the driving seat for EV deals
KIA is launching a new drive towards widening its EV offers. Kia UK Limited is launching its latest range of attractive customer offers, including 4.9 per cent APR on Kia’s award-winning electric cars, two free services and an exclusive 12-month free Kia Charge Plus subscription with all EV6, Niro EV and Soul EVs purchased between 3 July and 1 October 2023. Kia Electrified Event Providing … [Read more...]
Car sales rise amid warning on quota
The new car market grew 25.8% in June with 177,266 vehicles registered, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders as it warned of problems ahead in 2024. The June performance marks the 11th consecutive month of growth as the industry gradually overcomes the pandemic-induced supply chain shortages that constrained production for much of the previous two … [Read more...]
Europe in the slow lane of ‘green revolution’
Europe will dramatically drop behind America and China in the “green revolution”, said environmental group Transport & Environment. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said last year that she would create a new European Sovereignty Fund to help EU companies compete with president Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). But whereas the US is pumping $369bn (€340 bn) into key … [Read more...]
EU tariffs will slow EV adoption, say carmakers
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association is calling for a three-year postponement to restrictive rules on EU-UK electric vehicle trade beginning in six months. Otherwise, tariffs could total €4.3 billion, potentially reducing electric vehicle production by some 480,000 units. Goods exported under EU free-trade agreements must comply with ‘rules of origin’ to obtain tariff … [Read more...]
Logistics UK backs private CV testing
Britain's transport professionals are backing a move to privatise CV testing and licensing to speed up a historical struggling Government-run system. Logistics UK has supported the move to allow Earned Recognition (ER) operators to either carry out their own MOT testing on vehicles and trailers or delegate the responsibility to their third-party maintenance provider, subject to them meeting … [Read more...]
Fleets will drive European sales this decade
Europe’s vehicle components industry says fleet purchases will dominate future sales. Boston Consulting Group and parts makers CLEPA looked at the anticipated after market business by the end of the decade. Results show that fleet vehicles are capturing a significant and rising share of the European aftermarket. Five countries alone (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Poland) will … [Read more...]
Hydrogen trucks investment studies
The H2Accelerate collaboration has published the latest in a series of whitepapers in support of the use of hydrogen for long-haul trucking in Europe. This whitepaper follows the news that two of H2Accelerate’s primary initiatives, H2Accelerate TRUCKS and its Inaugural Station Deployment, have now secured funding via the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and Connecting Europe Facility-Transport … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 June
An all-new digital instrument display with Toyota Smart Connect multimedia system, largest-in-class displays, and new app-based digital key heralds the arrival of the next generation Toyota Yaris. New and enhanced Toyota Safety Sense safety and driver assistance systems with an additional Hybrid 130 electric option offered alongside existing Hybrid 115 powertrain, with be available to order … [Read more...]