Despite the roads-of-life starting to reopen with shops, businesses, car manufacturers and dealerships getting the wheels of business moving again, I’m still sifting through automotive news you might have missed until my first new model road test car arrives at the end of this week, says a hopeful David Miles. But for the foreseeable future the availability of new model lest cars will be very … [Read more...]
News
Weekend roadtest: Locked down with a Peugeot 2008
Lockdown has been a learning experience for everyone, including the policeman who pulled me over for a routine check. Now I have spent over three months behind the wheel, some of the time, in the newest Peugeot 2008 and that’s a long time when we normally have to experience a test car in a matter of hours during a new model launch or in a week of extended test driving. So the lockdown rules have … [Read more...]
£1.2 Billion plant promises thousands of Welsh jobs
A £1.2 Billion deal is close to being signed to bring over 3,500 and up to 15,000 jobs with a new massive car batteries plant adjacent to the Aston Martin Lagonda facility at St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan. UK start-up battery manufacturer Britishvolt has shortlisted the site at the former RAF base next to where AML (above) started making their luxury DBX SUV in December and where it also … [Read more...]
Cars are the stars in Bond films
Bond films are the ultimate British classic. It's car chase sequences are the stuff of legend and the new film, No Time to Die, coming out at the end of this year is full of expecation for fans Over the last 50 years, all James Bond films have become a true cinematic icon known around the world since the first film appeared on the big screens in 1962. The unique character of James Bond is now … [Read more...]
Music to move you
Spotify can make your car journey a smooth road or a rough ride, say Redex. The specialist additive company has consulted the downloads on Spotify to come up with the country’s favourite music, whether taking a stress relieving road trip or enduring another commute. With the clampdown on public transport, cars and personal space will become more important. And if you’re stuck on a lonely bus or … [Read more...]
EU charging plan welcomed, with reservation on size
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association and Eurelectric welcome the focus on infrastructure for electrically-chargeable vehicles in the coronavirus recovery plan announced by the European Commission but warned that still more charge points would be needed. The associations support the goal of funding 1 million public charging points referred to in the plan but they note that this … [Read more...]
Wales & West Utilities testing hydrogen vehicles
Wales & West Utilities is one of two Gas Distribution Networks exploring the possibility of using hydrogen to reduce their fleet's carbon emissions in line with UK Government Net Zero 2050 targets. Northern Gas Networks and Wales & West Utilities, supported by the EIC, formerly the Energy Innovation Centre, are working on an ambitious project with Cenex to identify the hydrogen refuelling … [Read more...]
Motor Sport UK steps up with PPE for event officials
Motorsport UK, the governing body for four-wheeled motorsport in the UK, has announced the provision of a complimentary supply of Personal Protective Equipment to the value of £50,000 to support events through the initial phase of motorsport’s restart from 4 July. The PPE will be distributed to all Motorsport UK licensed Rescue and Recovery units, and to registered clubs with an event permit … [Read more...]
Slow pickup to England’s car sales after lockdown eases
The industry is now one week into the post lockdown trading period in England and the question that concerned retailers nationwide has now been answered and that was whether there really would be consumer demand for cars, says Rupert Pontin, Director of Insights at Cazana. Indications both anecdotal and factual reflect the fact that consumers have returned to the showrooms in significant numbers, … [Read more...]
New Toyota Hilux heading to UK
Toyota is renewing its world-famous Hilux pick-up with a striking design, a powerful 2.8-litre powertrain, improvements in on and off-road driving performance and equipment upgrades. These changes strengthen its appeal to the growing market for customers who need a vehicle that’s right for both business and leisure. At the top of the range, the new Invincible X model gains bespoke styling … [Read more...]