Production of the Ford GT supercar will be extended approximately two years, to meet overwhelming customer demand. Ford will re-open the application window to customers in selected markets, including the UK, for one month beginning Nov. 8, delivering approximately 1,350 Ford GTs for customers worldwide. Car makers in the UK said they were “hugely disappointed” by the diplomatic traffic jam … [Read more...]
Drivers more likely to ditch diesel next time
The shift away from diesel has more drivers planning to choose an eco-friendly car than ever before, says AA Cars. Looking at people who have used its site, nearly a quarter (22%) claim they are ready to make the switch despite a lot of confusion over Government policies. The AA-Populus poll of over 20,000 drivers shows that this would be a dramatic increase from the 2% of drivers who … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 October
A Hyundai Nexo hydrogen car has cleaned up some of the Capital’s dirtiest roads in a test in conjunction with University College London. The car, which goes on UK sale next year, actually filters the air intake and removes harmful micro-elements and pushes out a cleaner exhaust than ingested air. Poland has become a dumping ground for diesel cars which can no longer enter some European … [Read more...]
Changes to EV subsidies will hit consumers, say SMMT
Government’s decision to cut the Plug-in Car Grant will have far-reaching consequences for consumers, the environment and industry, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Reducing the purchase incentives for zero emission cars by a third and completely removing the grant for plug-in hybrids is totally at odds with Government ambition to be the world leader in the take up of ultra … [Read more...]
Outdoor skills test today’s children
Outdoor skills are dying out. That’s the feedback given to pollsters for Vauxhall, which are launching their newest family friendly model, the Combo Life with its 1355 litres of boot-space. In an age where children spend more time roaming their screens than the outside – over 50 per cent of parents say their children have no outdoor skills, according to Vauxhall. When asked what skills … [Read more...]
Car makers concerns over new tailpipe-targets
Car makers are worried about EU imposed emissions and electrification targets and the prospect of random on-road tests being conducted at any time, writes Robin Roberts. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has voiced its serious concerns about the outcome of the European Parliament’s plenary vote on future CO2 reduction targets for cars and vans. “We remain particularly … [Read more...]
£2.5M to clean up older polluting CVs
The Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership welcomed the announcement that up to £2.5 million Government funding is being made available to increase the range of vehicle retrofit technologies capable of cutting emissions from larger road vehicles already in use and enable them to meet Clean Air Zone and ULEZ requirements. The funding will support vital testing of new technologies for the ground-breaking … [Read more...]
Sports stars shine experience on JLR
Ahead of October’s Invictus Games Sydney 2018, Presenting Partner Jaguar Land Rover invited wounded, injured and sick warriors to experience a self-driving Range Rover Sport on some of the UK’s most complicated roads. Team UK Captain Mark ‘Dot’ Perkins and Italian team member Simone Careddu joined former competitors Jamie Weller and JJ Chalmers to ride in the level 4 autonomous SUV on public … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 September
Ford and VW will deepen their relationship with production and component parts, say Reuters, quoting companies spokesmen. Ford stock has sunk 24% this year and is now trading at a near six-year low as a new CEO Jim Hackett was brought in to make strategic cuts and changes including working more closely with VW in Europe and Mahindra of India. VW has told German Government it will make … [Read more...]
Car makers poorly prepared for new law
The European car market saw spectacular growth in August, recording the highest August result in the last twenty years. But this strong growth was artificial as registrations were boosted by stock clearances ahead of the introduction of tougher new emissions tests under the World Light Car Test Programme, or WLTP, on the 1 September. This is evidenced by unusual results in typically slow … [Read more...]