They upset the car market, then the EV sector, and now it looks like Kia will disrupt the lucrative MPV and business categories. Kia predicted their electric PV5 Passenger model and van would reach 2,500 sales in Britain, but it has doubled that and is still climbing with just a five-seat model and very big luggage capacity. The addition of a CV derivative … [Read more...]
May registrations hit seven year high
The UK’s new car market delivered its strongest May performance since before the pandemic, with registrations rising 7.1% to 160,662 units, reported the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The performance was the best recorded for the month since 2019, although still -12.6% behind pre-pandemic levels. Registrations in Wales last month rose 6.95% to … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 June
A new railway bridge will be installed at Cathays railway station starting on 13 June. The ‘Access for All’ footbridge will provide better accessibility and help modernise the station to a safer transport hub while additional features of the infrastructure upgrade include step-free lift access for wheelchair users, improved walkways, and direct access to … [Read more...]
The eyes don’t have it for millions of motorists
Half of motorists could be at risk of fines due to poor eyesight. New research from Motorpoint found that just 50% of car owners felt they’d be able to read a registration plate 20 metres away – the minimum legal requirement for drivers. Car owners who fall short of this risk anything from £1,000 fine and three points on their licence to having their … [Read more...]
Evans storms to yet another Rally Japan win
Elfyn Evans won Rally Japan for the third time in four years on Sunday, leading a 1-2-3-4 finish for the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team on home roads. Sébastien Ogier and Pajari joined Evans on the podium with local hero Takamato Katsuta completing the top four. It is the fourth consecutive win for the GR Yaris Rally1 car from five editions of the … [Read more...]
Fleets face tougher Euro 7 MoTs this year
Fleet operators need to reconsider service, maintenance, and repair strategies in light of the forthcoming change to Euro 7 regulations, according to i247 Group. Euro 7 comes into effect from 29 November 2026. It applies to all new passenger car and light commercial vehicle types (new model approvals) sold or registered from November 2027. The new … [Read more...]
Essential daily checks change for autonomous vehicles
Clarity is needed over how fleet “walkaround” safety checks will be completed as autonomous vehicles (AVs) start to arrive on UK roads, says FleetCheck. Neil Avent, chief technical officer at the fleet software specialist, points out the legislation surrounding the introduction of AVs, which are already being trialled in taxi form on London streets, … [Read more...]
Speeders getting away with it, shows data
More than 4,000 drivers who have accumulated 12 or more penalty points for speeding offences have escaped being banned and are still behind the wheel, according to new data analysed by the RAC ahead of a Parliamentary event about tackling the problem later today. A Freedom of Information request obtained from the DVLA shows 4,154 drivers in the UK are still … [Read more...]
Rural drivers in Wales face big EV tolls
Data for the 32 Welsh constituencies shows what ev drivers in Wales can expect to pay when the new Government toll charges come in next year. A few headline figures for Wales: Combined projected annual eVED bill across all 32 Welsh constituencies: £29.1m Average per-driver annual cost across Wales: £228 (vs £79 in Cities of London and … [Read more...]
Chinese brands in public minds
Jaecoo and Omoda are the Chinese car brands with the biggest increase in consumer awareness during the last year, according to research. May’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows Jaecoo is up 19 percentage points to 34% and Omoda by 9 percentage points to 23% compared to identical research carried out in May 2025. However, the most recognised Chinese car … [Read more...]
