Nearly 11,000 new 24-plate cars were registered in Wales last month. That's more than the combined sales for January and February months through dealerships, according to SMMT data. They were nearly 9% up on March 2023, and the same in the first quarter of the sales' year. Nationally, sales were up 10% across the country with 317,443 registrations and took the Q1 total to 544,777. The Ford … [Read more...]
Newcomers: Cars
Plate change boosted by fleet registrations
The 24-plate change boosted new-car registrations in March, according to SMMT figures. But private buyers have put the brakes on pure electric purchases and the car makers want Government incentives to be increased to meet emissions targets.. March signals a twentieth month of consecutive growth for the automotive sector, a remarkable milestone for the industry, said Sue Robinson, Chief … [Read more...]
Toyota GR Yaris will be exclusive and expensive
The new Toyota GR Yaris is expected to be one of the most in-demand new cars of 2024, building on the critical acclaim and public popularity of the original model which brought authentic World Rally-bred engineering to the road. With only very limited numbers of the new GR Yaris available this year, Toyota (GB) is putting a tailor-made sales process in place to help ensure fairness. The … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 March
SEAT UK has introduced the Arona FR Limited Edition, offering bespoke styling options and a premium BeatsAudio sound system. The Limited Edition is available to order now, priced from £27,480 OTR, and will be available with 1.0 TSI 115PS and 1.0 TSI DSG 115PS powertrains, with exclusive 18-inch machined wheels in Cosmo Grey, as well as an optional new Graphene Grey paint colour, a premium … [Read more...]
MG3 Hybrid+ models can be ordered
The all-new MG3 Hybrid+ supermini has arrived with MG Motor UK announcing pricing and confirming that the MG3 is now available to order. Both the SE and Trophy MG3 Hybrid+ models have state-of-the-art hybrid technology available for a comparable price or less than many petrol superminis presently on sale in the UK. The MG Hybrid+ SE starts from just £18,495 with the even more generously equipped … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 March
A fully-electric BMW iX2 will be introduced for the first time, offering a range of up to 283 miles. It comes as part of the second generation BMW X2 Sports Activity Coupé blends a new dynamic style, cutting edge technology, increased space and exceptional comfort for UK buyers from this month with the BMW X2 range from £40,515 and the all-electric BMW iX2 priced from £51,615. Škoda’s flagship … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota C-HR Excel 1.8 FWD
Dramatic styling marked the 2016 arrival of the Toyota C-HR suv and now that’s been facelifted and given a technical make-over inside as well. Toyota’s Coupe-High Rider, to give it the full title, is one of the brand’s best selling models in Britain and has hit the sweet-spot in showrooms over the last eight years but with newer rivals sweeping in there was a need to modernise the … [Read more...]
Toyota Yaris uprated and expanded
The latest Toyota Yaris offers customers the option of a more powerful 129bhp/96kW full hybrid electric powertrain, in addition to the established 114bhp/85kW system. This reaps the benefits of fifth generation Toyota hybrid technology to give sharper acceleration, allied to the car’s fundamentally nimble character. It’s the kind of performance profile that’s increasingly a priority for … [Read more...]
Car sales boom on eve of Budget
February’s figures reinforce the robust performance of the UK automotive sector, maintaining a strong start to 2024 and signalling a nineteenth month of consecutive growth, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, commenting on the latest SMMT new passenger car registration figures. In February, a total of 84,886 new cars were registered, an increase of … [Read more...]
First drive: KIA EV9 Air RWD
KIA has turned the corner into a new market segment with its EV9 pure electric model. The EV9 seven-seater launches in three trim levels and an additional range-topping six-seat option from £65,025 to £78,775 in rear wheel drive or all-wheel-drive configurations depending on trim with 200bhp single or 378bhp twin motors. That puts it squarely into Mercedes and BMW electric model territory … [Read more...]