The cost of car insurance across Wales has increased in the past 12 months, shows new data. The average price of car insurance in the region has accelerated by £21 (3%) in the past year to now stand at £699, according to the latest Confused.com survey of more than six million quotes every quarter, the most comprehensive car insurance price index in Britain. While this may not be the news that … [Read more...]
Global collapse of van production to be felt for 2020
Global commercial vehicle production volumes in 2020 compared to 2019 are forecast to be down 22 percent , some 650,000 units to 2.6 million units, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the most recent analysis from IHS Markit. Individual regional forecasts are set to a downtrend, and supply chain impacts are being felt, as the consequences of the virus have shuttered … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 April
Aston Martin is extending by a week production stoppages at its St Athan DBX plant until 27 April. Production will be suspended from today when it planned to restart because of the current global and local position concerning suppliers and employees, Aston Martin confirmed and Britain's biggest automaker, Jaguar Land Rover, has not set a date for restarting while Nissan said that the production … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news
With the motoring media world in lockdown, the supply of new models and new model test driving events are all cancelled so instead of road test reviews we are keeping the wheels turning by covering some news items you might just have missed, says David Miles. Adversity is driving innovation at Skoda Virtual showrooms in the car sales industry is not a new thing, its click and view, tick a few … [Read more...]
Dangers lurking on empty roads
Empty roads over the last few weeks have been used as race-tracks by some drivers, police have reported. Opportunist thieves and drug running gangs have also desperately used them to quickly move about, despite the risk of being caught by routine police patrols stopping to check on Coronavirus compliant trips. Now company car and van drivers have be warned to take extra care on the roads as … [Read more...]
Kia Kidwelly cares for community
Staff at Gravells Kia Kidwelly have been supporting the local community by delivering groceries to those vulnerable or self-isolating in the area. Charlotte Gravell, staff member and volunteer for the Community Action Group for Kidwelly and Mynydd-y-Garreg, has partnered with ‘Burns Parc y Bocs Farm Shop’ to allow those affected to place an order for their groceries over the phone. Gravells … [Read more...]
Challenging times ahead for trade, says analyst
It has been a month of halves with two weeks of unexpected silence in the showrooms resulting in many staff being furloughed in the absence of customers. Service departments and smaller garages are working to keep key workers mobile and safe with their transportation needs and the insurance industry is still largely active. Dealers still have a shop window and many eyes browsing vehicles on … [Read more...]
Women drivers face greater risks than men
Women drivers are 47% more likely to fall victim to serious injury or death than men, according to a new analysis by Select Car Leasing. The study of accident data also showed the likelihood of a female sustaining a serious injury is 71% higher than a man. Research from the University of Virginia reported these stats in 2011 and reassessed them again in 2019. Shockingly, they found … [Read more...]
AFVs demand likely to soar
Over half of UK dealers (53%) plan to stock alternative fuel vehicles in the next five years, according to research from Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey. Positively, almost three in ten (29%) car dealers already stock AFVs. And for those who already have stock, two thirds (64%) plan to increase it and a quarter (24%) plan to maintain their current level. Just 2% of … [Read more...]
Tradelines 15 April
Ford is preparing for a $600M loss in the first three months of 2020 due to sales slowdown in the shadow of the global coronavirus. It’s already secured credit facilities and has a $30B reserve to cover most eventualities. New service and maintenance procedures at Arval UK have been adapted in a matter of days to keep essential fleets available 24/7 during the coronavirus crisis. Corrine … [Read more...]