An emerging combination of shortages in both new vehicle supply and fleet management skills could lead to “poor decisions” being made as businesses move towards electrification, FleetCheck is warning. Very long lead times – caused by factors including Brexit, the pandemic and slow production ramp-ups in the switch to EVs – were being magnified as a problem thanks to a decrease in available … [Read more...]
AA moves into private car leasing
The AA is launching into the mobility market, beginning with existing members. Drivers can get on the road with a new inclusive personal car lease product in partnership with LeasePlan UK. Smart Lease offers unmatched transparency and certainty, allowing drivers to see the total cost of driving a vehicle over the course of the agreement. As long as the customer meets certain qualifying criteria … [Read more...]
Newslines 19 January
Cardiff Council raked in nearly £1.49M in parking fines last year, despite the lockdown. Almost 50,000 fines were issued and the most were around Windsor Place, Cardiff, but the London Borough of Newham realised over £10.62M from 239,000 drivers, said comparethemarket.com . British digger maker JCB has unveiled a new machine to tackle a national scourge - potholes. The company has launched the … [Read more...]
Welsh premiums dip 10% for motorists
There’s good news for drivers in Wales - the average cost of car insurance has fallen by £68 about 10% year-on-year, according to Confused.com . That's due to the typical driver cutting miles by around 2,000 due to the lockdowns, reduced working and insurers recognising fewer claims coming in so costs have been slashed. Drivers in the region can now expect to pay an average of £644 for … [Read more...]
Breakdowns rising and worst places in Wales
Analysis of RAC data confirms suspicions that car use by drivers in the UK has not fallen to the same extent as it did during the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. During the first week of the latest lockdown, data from RAC Black Box Insurance customers shows there were on average 10% more cars in daily use than during the first week of March’s lockdown, leading to 31% more daily miles … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Honda Civic Type R GT 2.0 VTEC
Although the UK production of the Honda Civic family 5-door hatchback range of models, including the hot-shot Type R, ceases in the UK at their Swindon Plant in July this year, the high performance Type R range of models available has been extended and a wide range of spec changes and technical improvements included. The Swindon Plant is currently building up buffer stocks of all 10th … [Read more...]
EV performance analysed with some surprising results
Leasing Options looked at the UKs top EVs can drive the length of the nation in the shortest time and for the least money, if they were allowed to travel. The route starts at the tip of the UK at John o’ Groats, all the way down to the most southern point, Land’s End. Which is 837 miles, meaning that there will be stops along the way at charging stations. Key findings of the exercise: … [Read more...]
Driving habits that come with a hefty fine
Whether you’re new to the roads or you’ve had your driving licence for decades, there will no doubt be a few driving habits that really grind your gears. From drivers who hog the middle lane to those who don’t indicate when making a turn, these bad habits are not only frustrating but also extremely dangerous. Many motorists are unaware that some of the driving habits they’ve picked up are … [Read more...]
Welsh World Cup Rally Hero dies
Washington Grant James 1933 – 2020 Washington James, the last surviving member of a historic and tenacious 1970s Welsh rally team, died peacefully on New Year's Eve in Newcastle Emlyn aged 87. Washington - affectionately known as 'Washy' - from Cenarth in Cardiganshire, was joined on the 1970 World Cup Rally by two friends, renown Cooper S road-rally star Alun Rees from Carmarthen, and … [Read more...]
Britain’s out of WRC 2021 as NI bid fails
Britain has been dropped from this year’s WRC calendar after uncertainty over funding and the Coronavirus pandemic. Belgium will stage a round of the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time after Renties Ypres Rally Belgium was last week added to the 2021 calendar in August on a date to be confirmed. It will replace the UK’s proposed fixture in Northern Ireland, which has unfortunately … [Read more...]