Arval UK has more than doubled the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on its UK fleet in the 12 months to the end of June. There has been a 102% growth from 11,225 to 22,630 units, meaning that EVs now represent 12.2% of its total fleet – up from 6.4% at the same time last year and the total figure breaks down into a 98% increase in the number of electric cars to 21,639 and a 249% rise in electric … [Read more...]
New car sales slowing quicker than expected
The brakes have gone on hard for sales in Britain's car showrooms. UK new car registrations fell -24.3% in June, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders with 140,958 new vehicles registered, the weakest June performance in 26 years. Volkswagen emerged top last month with 8.27% of share, Vauxhall reached 7.07% and just behind was Ford … [Read more...]
Energy costs crippling UK automotive sector
British automotive manufacturers are calling for urgent action on spiralling costs as new analysis from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveals firms face a £90 million uplift in energy bills this year – equivalent to more than 2,500 automotive jobs – as costs surge by 50%. UK electricity prices are the most expensive of any European automotive manufacturing country and 59% higher … [Read more...]
Dismay at end of PHEV grant as fuel prices soar again
The government is today ending the plug-in car grant allowance for new orders after successfully kickstarting the UK’s electric car revolution and supporting the sale of nearly half a million electric cars. The announcement was greeted with dismay and concern by car makers, the motor dealers and charging network suppliers. It could also boost demand for used PHEVs and second hand petrol and … [Read more...]
Newslines 10June
Automobili Lamborghini adds a new record to its list with its Super SUV Urus, as the best-selling model in the shortest time ever. Since its market debut in 2018, 20,000 units have been produced, setting sales records year on year and the twenty-thousandth Urus, in Viola Mithras with black calipers and panoramic roof, is destined for a customer in Azerbaijan. The cost of filling a 55-litre … [Read more...]
Ford take top sales in Wales
Ford has returned to the top spot in Wales once again. It has been hamstrung by vehicle shortages due to components being unavailable to build cars across Europe but it has slowly been improving this year as alternative sources are used. Now in May it saw the Puma and Kuga clearly ahead in Welsh registrations with the former making big gains in particular and claiming the top spot after five … [Read more...]
Car sales take another battering in May
New UK car registrations fell -20.6% to 124,394 units in the second weakest May since 1992, after the 2020 pandemic-hit market, as supply shortages continued to hamper new purchases and the fulfilment of existing orders, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Registrations amounted to 124,394 last month after a boom 12 months earlier when buyers were … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 May
The Volkswagen Group will pay out £193 million to more than 90,000 UK motorists after reaching an out-of-court settlement in a seven-year litigation process relating to Dieselgate. With each claimant receiving about £2,000 it marks the end of a campaign which has cost the manufacturer about £26 Billion since it fitted suspect devices to diesel models which circumvented official emissions tests … [Read more...]
Tradelines 25 May
Just one in four fleets (26%) say that they have been affected by the global semiconductor shortage that has caused a marked reduction in worldwide vehicle production. Findings from the Arval Mobility Observatory’s 2022 Barometer show that 16% report having been impacted when acquiring petrol, diesel and electric vehicles (EVs); 5% on EVs only; and 5% on petrol and diesel vehicles only. … [Read more...]
Experts to outline challenges facing repair sector
Leading automotive research and training provider Thatcham Research is the latest organisation to join the 150-strong roster of influential speakers and training experts at the inaugural UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, held at Birmingham’s NEC on 8 & 9 June. Thatcham Research will be talking about, and demonstrating, the most dynamic changes affecting the body repair sector in the last 50 … [Read more...]