The electric-only smart EQ range of small two or four seater cars with 82hp motor and 70miles range is now on sale from £16,850 after the £3,500 Government plug-in grant. Rapid charging takes 40 mins to near capacity or under six hours via a domestic wall box, it will reach a governed 81mph and deliveries begin in March for the restyled and highly specified models of coupe, convertible or saloon … [Read more...]
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Rugby fans should convert to private parking for games
Rugby fans could pay four times as much for parking at Six Nations matches by parking at traditional car parks rather than on cheaper rented driveways. The latest research has been conducted by online parking portal YourParkingSpace.co.uk and looks at various tournament parking options for visitors to Twickenham, London, the Principality Stadium, Cardiff and Murrayfield, Edinburgh. For instance, … [Read more...]
VW’s rarest model you can chew over
You might be surprised to find that Volkswagen’s part number 199 398 500 is not intended for your car, rather for the hardworking factory attendants building each new model. It isn’t what you'd expect from the car-making giant, comes slathered in the car manufacturer’s very own ketchup, usually with a side of chips. It is a pack of the Volkswagen Currywurst—a sausage being dubbed the most … [Read more...]
Swansea leads Welsh drive towards electric cars
Birmingham has seen the fastest growth in new electric car ownership of any town or city in the UK. According to DVLA data obtained by comparison site Motorway.co.uk, there were 2,192new electric cars registered in Birmingham up to the end of September 2019, compared to 340 in the corresponding period in 2018 - an increase of 527%. Growth in electric car sales in Birmingham between 2018 and … [Read more...]
Roads with ‘safest’ speed limits see more accidents
Motorists travelling at over 70mph are less likely to have an accident than those driving at under 30mph, according to new data from ITS – Telematics Solutions. Data also shows that drivers are 20 times more likely to be in a traffic accident when they are stationary. The new figures highlight that the most dangerous driving speeds occurred in urban areas, whilst only 1% of all incidents … [Read more...]
Plan for cold weather to come, says insurer
With the Met Office predicting lower temperatures in the UK in the next couple of weeks telematics insurance provider, drive like a girl, is urging drivers to ensure their cars are prepared for the colder weather. Kelly Wilkins, Head of Customer Service, drive like a girl, said, “Extreme weather brings about a new set of driving challenges, and accidents and breakdowns are more … [Read more...]
Car makers’ mounting concerns over challenges
Forecasting the first downturn in EU car sales in seven years this year, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association today outlined the major challenges as it embarks on the transition to carbon-neutral transport. “One of the biggest drivers of change for our sector is the need to address environmental concerns,” stated Michael Manley, ACEA President and CEO of Fiat Chrysler … [Read more...]
JLR axing 500 posts in Halewood
Jaguar Land Rover is cutting 500 places at its Halewood, Merseyside plant making Evoque and Discovery Sport models. The reduction comes after it decided to move from three shift working to a ‘two-plus’ system next April and it hopes to make the cut through natural wastage and not enforced redundancies after falling demand in the sectors. Today the company announced the leasing of 700 electric … [Read more...]
Plea to exempt school buses from new access law in Wales
Schoolchildren in Wales face losing some of their regular buses from September when new regulations are introduced on wheelchair access. Ken Skates AM, Minister for Economy and Transport, has asked the Department for Transport to exempt school buses from the new regulation for public transport. He also wants buses used on replacement rail services to be excused from the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 22 January
People seeking a rewarding and exciting career in the automotive industry are being encouraged to apply for an apprenticeship place at BMW Group’s UK manufacturing operations. Opportunities exist at Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall in engineering, maintenance and business and there’re 30 places for the two to four year courses. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK Ltd. has announced a raft of changes to … [Read more...]