The future of Nissan Sunderland is expected to be outlined at the end of May. The UK plant builds cars for the UK and Europe and the Japanese car maker is preparing a new global production plan which will see a 20% reduction in capacity and that is expected to see it concentrate on the Far East and USA. There was a report this week that it is about to announce the closure of its pickup and ev … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road & in the news 10 May
I’m still keeping calm and carrying on sifting through the latest automotive news items and press releases pinging into my Inbox, writes David Miles. Whilst the COVIC-19 news is not good there are some brighter worthwhile snippets of information worth passing on. New life goes on - Toyota Corolla proves reliant for Robins We motoring journalists during the lockdown period are without test cars … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road & in the news 3 May
I’m still keeping calm and carrying on sifting through the latest automotive news items and press releases pinging into my Inbox, writes David Miles. Some are less ‘newsy’ than others and some press releases are just recycled items as PR operators seek to keep us informed by promoting their brands so here as some worthwhile snippets of news worth passing on. A lock-down reminder – Indian … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 May
A survey by the Welsh Automotive Forum of local supply chain companies shows 88% expect May turnover to be reduced by more than 50%. Even for July, 38% expect turnover to be 30%+ reduced on pre-COVID-19 levels. RAC patrols rescued some 3,426 motorists whose vehicles may have fallen victim to the UK’s pothole-ridden roads in the first three months of 2020, more than during the same period last … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news 26 April
As the COVID-19 lock-down continues for another three weeks at least the motoring world needs to carry on, as does our service to supply interesting news items you may have overlooked. Here are a few I have selected for this week’s news briefing. Still ‘Moving the Metal’ via on-line virtual showrooms Numerous car brands are now operating virtual on-line tours and dialogues with potential … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 April
Aston Martin is extending by a week production stoppages at its St Athan DBX plant until 27 April. Production will be suspended from today when it planned to restart because of the current global and local position concerning suppliers and employees, Aston Martin confirmed and Britain's biggest automaker, Jaguar Land Rover, has not set a date for restarting while Nissan said that the production … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news
With the motoring media world in lockdown, the supply of new models and new model test driving events are all cancelled so instead of road test reviews we are keeping the wheels turning by covering some news items you might just have missed, says David Miles. Adversity is driving innovation at Skoda Virtual showrooms in the car sales industry is not a new thing, its click and view, tick a few … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 April
Nissan wants $4.6 billion from major lenders to cushion the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s been hit by falling demand, management shake ups and now the global effects of the coronavirus on production lines after years of expansion. Worried executives in the German car industry want the Government to lift the lockdown on dealerships now stuffed with back orders and models piled up … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 March
Six-in-10 UK drivers (59%) want the new Chancellor to bolster spending on the country’s crumbling local road infrastructure in the Budget by ringfencing 2p from every litre of petrol and diesel sold without increasing duty rates, according to an RAC survey of 3,200 drivers. In fact drivers feel so strongly about the need to increase spending on maintaining local roads that they would much prefer … [Read more...]
Tradelines 26 February
The new DBX SUV has been given the Q-treatment of bespoke luxuries and features by Aston Martin. The Welsh-made luxury car will be shown in its latest Q-code design at next week’s Geneva motor show. Volkswagen's adding a range-topping premium model to its flagship Touareg line – the Touareg R. The versatile model’s 340 kW (462 PS) plug-in hybrid drive offers an innovative blend of superlative … [Read more...]