Kia will introduce 11 BEVs over the next five years and they will make up 75% of sales, under the company’s Plan S strategy announced this week in Seoul. The remaining 25% of sales will be conventional eco-friendly internal combustion engined models but it also intends to increase income from car sharing mobility services including hydrogen models. Cardiff's proposed £2.00 daily commuter charge … [Read more...]
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Welsh highlights from Autosport International
The annual Autosport International Show provided a tantalising teaser to the competition scene this year as well as a look back at some of the most successful cars and competitors in 2019. Photographer Will Jones from West Wales covered the event and here are a few of his images. © Images Will Jones … [Read more...]
Mardenborough secures new Nissan race drive
Top racer Jann Mardenborough, from Cardiff, will contest his fifth consecutive full-time season in Japan this year after being announced as part of Nissan’s driver roster for the Super GT sportscar championship. After winning the GT Academy competition in 2011, the former British gamer has excelled in international sports car competition and become a leading star on Nissan’s race … [Read more...]
Welsh jobs with Vauxhall still unknown
The future of hundreds of jobs for people in North East Wales is uncertain after Vauxhall parent Opel this week announced details of a voluntary severance scheme in Russelsheim, Germany which shares Astra production with Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. It has been known since spring last year that 2,100 jobs would be going in Germany when Opel produce the next generation Astra and it raised concerns … [Read more...]
Motorpoint Swansea GSM announced
Andrew Davies has been appointed the General Sales Manager of Motorpoint’s newest branch in Swansea. The 35 year old, who has worked in a number of sales roles with the UK’s largest independent car retailer for the last six years, will oversee the 25-strong workforce in South West Wales. Andrew, a recent graduate of the Motorpoint Talent Management programme, will be supported by Chris Brown, … [Read more...]
“Fake” apprenticeships warning
The Independent Garage Association is calling for greater control of the apprenticeship levy to help reduce the shortage of skilled technicians, following statistics that suggest half of levy-funded apprenticeships are ‘fake’. The analysis by education think tank Education and Skills suggests that the majority of the levy is being put towards existing adult workers, instead of promoting the … [Read more...]
Potholes are biggest shock for drivers, says survey
A survey of 2,000 road users found the craggy gaps in the road surface were more irritating than tailgaters, drivers failing to use their indicators, and even breaking down. Eight in 10 drivers, cyclists or motorcycle riders even say they have to navigate potholes every time they use the roads. Glasgow is the worst city in the UK for potholes according to residents - as nine in 10 locals claim … [Read more...]
Tradelines 15 January
Jaguar Land Rover sales slowly recovered in December after a 6% dip overall in 2019, according to financial reports. Annual sales of 557,706 were down mostly due to a 13.5% slump in China but it’s reorganised its outlets and marketing there and has seen them picking up again as it moves towards an electric programme with BMW. In 2019, Bridgestone remained the number one choice for BMW, Audi, … [Read more...]
Diesels’ unseen pollution danger
New diesels are bringing new problems, say environmentalists. New diesel cars’ pollution is peaking at more than 1,000 times their normal levels, tests of two top-selling vehicles show. The dangerous spikes in particles can instantly stress the heart and are a result of the cars cleaning their filters, which may occur in urban areas, last for up to 15km, and are effectively ignored by official … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 January
Click4Reg.co.uk conducted a survey yielding 1,023 responses from licensed UK drivers to find out what habit most infuriates. Some of the key findings were: Not indicating is the most annoying driving habit; Women are more guilty of bad parking; Males admit to speeding more than women; Elderly drivers are ranked the most annoying on the roads and people find young male drivers more annoying than … [Read more...]