Up to 89 dashcam video recordings of alleged motoring offences were submitted to police forces every day in 2019 and a quater led to prosecutions, said the RAC. A total of 32,370 pieces of footage were received by 24 police forces that accept video evidence of driving offences from members of the public, double the number recorded in 2018 (15,159). Data from the RAC’s freedom of information … [Read more...]
Europe expect car sales to rise 10% this year
After a year that saw the sharpest drop ever in EU car sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association forecasts that 2021 will mark a first step on the path to recovery, with sales rising by about 10% compared to 2020. The fallout of COVID is expected to persist into the first quarter of 2021, but the car market should pick up in the second half of the year … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta is again Wales best seller
Welsh car buyers have restored the Ford Fiesta to top spot in the sales chart in January as UK registrations hit a 50 years low. Ford dealers registered 122 Fiestas last month, comfortably ahead of the 104 Kia Sportage, which was the top SUV among Welsh families and they were the only two models to exceed 100 sales in the month. Ford suffered badly in Wales last year but it has come back … [Read more...]
UK car sales hit 50 year low
Pressure is mounting for new car prices to be slashed after sales plunged to their lowest for 50 years in January. Buyers who cannot visit showrooms during lockdown and who are concerned about jobs and income have put the brakes on business and now manufactuers face fines if they cannot reduce their fleet average this autumn. More sales have moved on-line and the industry and trade expect this … [Read more...]
Kerbside charging essential to power up green drive
The Government has just announced a £20M boost for more EV charging, but incentives and technology to create kerbside charging should be laid out in next month's Budget, said the Association of Fleet Operators. Chair Paul Hollick said that around 40% of potential electric vehicle users lived in properties without drives and providing them with some form of domestic charging was essential if the … [Read more...]
Welsh taxi drivers get free Coronavirus protection
Taxi drivers in Wales will be better protected against catching Coronavirus. Russell George MS – Shadow Minister for Transport – has given a broad welcome by the initiative from the Welsh Government to introduce “free” PPE for taxi and PHV drivers in Wales, but questions why it has taken Labour so long to introduce the scheme. Mr George said that it is essential to recognise the vital … [Read more...]
Grey clouds hanging over public transport
Grey fleet operations could see an explosion in vehicles over the next year as research shows an increasing number of people will shun public transport in favour of buying a car, FleetCheck is warning. Peter Golding (right), managing director at the fleet software specialist, pointed to a new Capgemini report that showed just 8% of people now see buses, trains and trams as their primary means of … [Read more...]
Pump prices climbing higher, says RAC Fuel Watch
The average price of petrol shot up by 3.5p to 120p a litre in January – a price last seen the day before the first Covid-19 lockdown on 22 March 2020 and the third consecutive monthly increase, says RAC Fuel Watch. Diesel also went up by more than 3p a litre from 120.05p to 123.43p (3.38p), making for the second rise in as many months. Both fuels, however, are still around 7p a litre cheaper … [Read more...]
Tradelines 3 February
Volvo Cars has received the highest global rating for its sustainability performance from EcoVadis, a leading provider of corporate sustainability assessments. According to EcoVadis, Volvo Cars’ sustainability performance deserves an Advanced Platinum Medal rating, placing Volvo Cars in the top one per cent among all 75,000 companies assessed by EcoVadis. Accident aftercare specialist AX … [Read more...]
EVs premiums cause for concerns
In a poll of 1,000 drivers almost one in 10 said they think electric car premiums would be more expensive, with one in eight of those aged 17-24 admitting this would potentially stop them buying. While it’s previously been difficult for young drivers to secure low-cost car insurance, as electric cars sales are rising, premiums are starting to fall. Insurance expert Ben Smithson said, “In order … [Read more...]