Almost a quarter of fleets (23%) say they expect to lengthen their company car lease contracts because of growth in home working, according to new research. The 2023 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer found that the move towards contract extensions is more pronounced among larger companies with more than 1,000 employees (38%) compared to the smallest with fewer than 10 (24%). Fleets and … [Read more...]
Three-in-one event may decide WRC for drivers
Fresh from its latest manufacturers’ championship success, Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team will face an all-new challenge at the penultimate round of the 2023 season: the Central European Rally, 26 – 29 October in Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. After TGR-WRT secured its third consecutive manufacturers’ title on the previous rally in Chile, attention now turns to whether Kalle … [Read more...]
Tradelines 27 January
Bucking the UK trend in falling sales, the UK’s fastest-growing car brand shows no signs of slowing down as MG Motor gears up to increase its network to at least 130 dealers by the end of 2021. With a range now encompassing six models and a rapidly growing reputation for offering affordable EVs for everyone, the brand has seen 28 new sites join its network in the past 12 months. Bentley … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 June
Cyclists in Wales have been told they can ride up to 40 miles to exercise, compared to five miles by motorists. Welsh Government has said this is a reasonable move but it’s attracted criticism because some other exercise like playing tennis, where players are more than two metres apart, is still banned. Knox Road, Cardiff, opposite the city’s prison, is the least safe car park in Wales and the … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 May
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams welcomed the move by Morrisons supermarket to cut fuel to under 100p a litre, but had a warning. “Unfortunately though there is a darker side to any large price cuts – they heap yet more pressure on smaller independent fuel retailers, who in some cases are already fighting for survival as a result of the coronavirus outbreak and iIt remains to be seen how long … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 March
Volvo will limit the top speed of its models to 112mph (180kph) from 2020. It’s also considering electronically reducing speed around schools and hospitals without the driver intervening. Three consecutive months of price reductions on the UK’s forecourts came to a crashing halt in February as both petrol and diesel went up. Data from RAC Fuel Watch shows the UK average price of a litre … [Read more...]
Tradelines 5 December
The new Mercedes-Benz E300 plug in hybrid petrol model arriving next spring will cost from £47,450. The e SE saloon uses a 211hp 2.0 petrol engine combined with 122hp electric motor with a claimed 134.5mpg combined economy and 46gkm CO2, a 0-62mph time of 5.7secs and limited max of 155mph. Kia e-Niro and Hyundai Kona electric models arriving next spring have been given new … [Read more...]
Diesel sales collapsing across Europe
Disaffection towards diesel engine cars is spreading all over Europe, said the International Energy Agency. The market share of diesel cars in the European Union fell to 36.5 percent in the first half of 2018 from 42.5 percent in the first half of 2017, reported the IEA. Sales declined by 16 percent to 3.12 million units, with Britain sinking to 30 percent. In Germany, home to some of the … [Read more...]
Three-way fight looms in WRGB forests
The dramatic battle for this year’s FIA World Rally Championship has reached fever pitch as the series heads for a spectacular showdown in Wales. With Estonian ace Ott Tänak scoring back-to-back wins in Finland and on Sunday in Germany, a titanic three-way tussle is in prospect when the WRC arrives on these shores next month for Wales Rally GB 4-7 October. Thanks to his two stirring … [Read more...]
It’s already winter in part of Germany
As we head towards the summer, it’s already winter in Germany. But tomorrow it could blisteringly hot, with monsoon showers the day after, before arid conditions return. All the seasons in a few hours is part of the working day for engineers in the Ford Weather Factory, Cologne. Here, Ford invested €70 million to build the facility so drivers can rely on vehicles that have endured conditions … [Read more...]