French tax authorities have reportedly seized funds from Carlos Ghosn and his wife. He is under investigation in France for possible tax evasion during his last three years heading Renault and Nissan, according to media reports. Lawyers for Ghosn and French tax authorities have been discussing since the middle of 2019 whether the former CEO was a French resident during 2016, 2017 and 2018 after … [Read more...]
News
Newslines 15 December
Toyota and Lexus models roll off production lines at the rate of 19.9 models a minute. Moneyshake analysed the makers and found Volkswagen Group built 19.8 cars a minute, Hyundai 13.7, GM 13.0 and Ford 12.2 per minute but they fade into the background when all China makers churn out 48.9 cars a minute, more than double the rate in the US. Honda Swindon has restarted car production. It stopped … [Read more...]
Pothole problems & speedbumps shocking truth
One in four (29%) UK drivers have damaged their car on speedhumps or potholes, rising to almost one in three (32%) in rural areas. The Opinium research of over 2000 drivers, on behalf of InsuretheGap.com, found that of those who have damaged their car on a speedbump or pothole, nearly half (45%) paid up to £100 to fix their car; a third (34%) between £101 and £250; and one in ten (10%) paid … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
Drivers were collectively planning about 13m separate trips by car to see family and friends during the coronavirus ‘travel window’ between 23 and 27 December, although a fifth (22%) don’t expect to make any such journeys this year because of the virus, research by RAC Breakdown suggests. With two weeks to go until Christmas, the greatest number of individual trips – some 3.1m – look likely to … [Read more...]
Battery plant is a non-starter for Wales
Wales has lost another massive automotive investment. The £2.6 Billion Britishvolt gigaplant which held the promise of 5,000 construction jobs and 3,000 permanent posts will not now be built at St Athan and the company says it will go to a 230 acres site in Blythe, Northumberland. The decision follows a few months of talks with Welsh Government during which time Britishvolt appointed Italian … [Read more...]
Hard-hitting alcohol ads suggested
Drink driving accidents are on the rise with a 5% increase over the past 5 years. There has also been an alarming rise in alcohol consumption throughout the coronavirus pandemic and with the festive season approaching this could be a recipe for disaster. Leasing Options has created some hard-hitting imagery of how alcohol packaging and advertising would look if it was branded in the … [Read more...]
Microchips take a battering
Vehicle makers have had their chips, as industry watchers report a global shortage of some software used by automotive manufactuers. As China recovers from the CV-19 pandemic it is the first to experience the shortage of microchips used for a variety of in-vehicle applications. Components made or assembled in China are not the only units to suffer as many microchips come from Europe and it is … [Read more...]
Evans raises game and looks towards 2021
Elfyn Evans’ dream of becoming the first Welsh driver to win the FIA World Rally Championship were put on hold when he crashed out of this year's title-decider in northern Italy. The 31-year-old from Dolgellau arrived at the ACI Rally Monza holding a 14-point advantage over his Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Sébastien Ogier and, despite some atrocious weather conditions, at the mid-point seemed on … [Read more...]
New online directory and resources for aftermarket sector
Organisers of Automechanika Birmingham have launched auto:resource, a new online directory and resources platform to inform, train and connect the UK automotive aftermarket. The comprehensive website, www.autoresource.co.uk, was created following extensive research conducted to over 12,000 automotive professionals, who made it clear there is a need to inform and connect the industry via one … [Read more...]
Big jobs drive beginning among dealers
Car dealerships are planning a recruitment drive for staff over coming months. They will be looking for technicians, sales people and service assistants for the most part, but also considering what they need in other business areas. National Franchised Dealers Association has lobbied the Government throughout the year to extend the time period in which the industry is able to use their year’s … [Read more...]