The car-makers want detailed talks with British Government in the light of the corona virus and implications for the industry struggling with falling demand. The industry employs over 823,000 in Britain and Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said, “We welcome the additional and significant emergency support for business announced by the Chancellor. “The UK automotive industry is inherently strong … [Read more...]
Dealers seek Government help
The retail automotive sector employs 590,000 people in the UK and businesses must be protected through supportive fiscal measures during the outbreak of the Coronavirus, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association. NFDA yesterday wrote a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP and Alok Sharma, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise … [Read more...]
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant still working – for now
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant will continue producing contracted petrol V6 and V8 units for Jaguar Land Rover for as long as it can, the company has told media. JLR said it had enough parts in stock to build cars until the end of this week at least, possibly longer. It also uses petrol and diesel engines from its own plant in the West Midlands. Nissan has announced today it is suspending … [Read more...]
Two-wheeler sales rising as cars fall
February 2020 has delivered a strong 3% increase in motorcycle sales compared to last year, improving a typically quiet month, said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK. Some 4,607 new motorcycles were registered in February, up from 4,473 in February 2019. In terms of year-to-date, the market has grown 2.9%, from … [Read more...]
LEVC give more details about VN5 van
LEVC’s new electric light commercial van will set new standards in the commercial vehicle sector and will be badged VN5. Aligned with LEVC’s overall product naming strategy, with TX for taxi, VN is chosen for van and ‘5’ to represent the volume of the cargo area, 5m3. The VN5 cargo capacity easily accommodates two Euro sized pallets with a gross payload of over 800kg. It has been built with a … [Read more...]
Breathing new life into Ford Bridgend Engine Plant
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant may be ordered to make components for medical ventilators in the UK Government's fight against the coronavirus. The 1.1 million sqft plant is due to close at the end of this year and it's stopped making Ford engines but continues assembling petrol engines for Jaguar Land Rover and the disease has hit already flagging car sales so there is a lot of production capacity … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 March
Local councils will be given authority to manage and allocate local bus services in the biggest shakeup to the transport sector for 40 years. Welsh Government is introducing a Bus Services Bill which means operators will have to bid for routes and councils will have power to run their own services if demand is there in a move designed to boost falling passenger numbers and reduce wasteful and … [Read more...]
Vauxhall temporarily shut UK plants
Vauxhall is closing its Ellesmere Port car plant tomorrow and Luton van assembly plant from thursday. They along with other PSA plants throughout Europe will be shut until 27 March and the 2,560 UK workers will get paid leave. It is part of the industry's response to the spread of Coronavirus around the world with many plants closing to protect workers as well as suppliers curtailing … [Read more...]
Home deliveries need health check
A protocol is needed to ensure that home delivery fleets do not place drivers or the public at additional risk from coronavirus, says FleetCheck. These fleets could serve an essential role in the next few months by ensuring that people who are self-isolating can easily access food and other essentials – but there is a possibility that drivers could be exposing themselves to risk as well as … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 March
A unique, record-breaking Triumph TR2 prototype sports car has been acquired by the British Motor Museum with £250,000 from the National Heritage Memorial Fund. One of just three prototypes of the extremely successful 1953 Triumph TR2 model produced by the Standard Motor Company, it is the only one known to survive. In May 1953, during speed trials at Jabbeke in Belgium, this car reached a speed … [Read more...]