Welsh Conservatives have called on Welsh Government to immediately cut delays, overcrowding and mismanagement of the rail network. Shadow minister for Transport Russell George said users wanted action now and not a policy which was looking 20 years ahead while ignoring issues hitting the services today and was responding to a Welsh Government report on the future of rail travel in Wales and … [Read more...]
Tradelines 25 September
Volkswagen and Porsche are recalling about 227,000 models built in 2015 and 2016 after German safety authority found a problem with pretensioning software in airbags. There are concerns the faulty software may cause airbags to go-off without an accident being sensed, said German media. Germany is allocating $60Billion to boost electric car take up. Volkswagen CEO Herbert Diess welcomed a … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 May
Nissan is giving its blessing to the $35 billion (£27.7 billion) merger of Renault with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, according to the Nikkei newspaper. The plan raises difficult questions about how Nissan would fit into a radically changed alliance with Renault, its current partner Mitsubishi, and the FCA group and comes after FCA and PSA failed to progress talks on collaboration earlier this … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 May
Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford said 20mph speed limits should be the default in residential areas. Speaking in the Assembly, he said main arterial roads could have 30mph limits but residential areas should be lower. Fatal road accidents are this year increasing in Cheshire. In 2018, 46 people lost their lives as a result of a road traffic collision but so far this year 22 people have … [Read more...]
Welsh business recharges classic cars
Classic cars are being given a new life for the 21st century with a “heart” transplant and an electric powertrain by a Welsh enthusiast and engineer. Richard Morgan set up Electric Classic Cars in Newtown to give much-loved classics and popular cars a new lease of life with a modern twist. “I use to compete in the British Historic Rally Championship while I worked as a software engineer in … [Read more...]
Pendine speed bid in April
Land speed racer and record-setting motorcycle rider Zef Eisenberg and his MADMAX Race Team have got a new car speed target in their sights. On the weekend of 6-7 April 2019, Zef will aim to become the first person to achieve a British land speed record on bike and car within a year. The goal is to hit 200mph and beyond on sand in a crazy 1200hp specially-built road legal Porsche 911 Turbo … [Read more...]
The price of power will surprise you
A new analysis indicates the amount motorists are willing to spend and reveals that horsepower and purchase price aren’t always directly correlated and you'll be surprised by the results. Every buyer has their own priorities when buying a new car: a large boot, comfortable seating, air conditioning, or intelligent assistance systems; yet horsepower remains a consistent customer … [Read more...]
Big Data helps pick future classics
Used car buyers with a keen eye for an investment could benefit from a new online tool that reveals the cars that are appreciating and could become collectors’ items and there are a few surprises. ‘Future classics’ created by automotive data and valuations expert HPI is an online site that allows users to find out which cars are likely to appreciate in value in the future. The tool, which is … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 October
VW, BMW, MB and Porsche have suspended European sales of their plug-in hybrid models, reports Automotive News Europe. The new WLTP emissions programme tests them differently to the former NEDC regulations and the result is their CO2 footprint is bigger and outside the limits for subsidies and their owners have to pay higher taxes. UK engine production was stable in August, with just 0.3% … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 September
Aston Martin is planning to add a third hypercar to its planned range. It announced the 1,000hp £2.3M Valkyrie and £4.0M Valkyrie AMR Pro models but now wants to add another cheaper coupe (right sketch) into the range, which could be under £1.0M.. JLR is reportedly struggling to find UK parts makers willing to supply components to them. Production requires massive investment and the … [Read more...]