Today's Budget should be used as an opportunity to re-examine the impact of Vehicle Excise Duty on rental companies and other businesses that keep new vehicles for less than a year, says Meridian Vehicle Solutions. Phil Jerome, managing director at the medium-term rental specialist, said that the current inability to obtain a full refund on any outstanding balance from the first VED payment at … [Read more...]
TVR apply to convert Rassau building into car plant
TVR has moved closer to building its new Griffith supercar after a planning application to refurbish the existing factory site has been submitted. According to Business News Wales, an application was submitted to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council for a former board factory on the Rassau Industrial Estate, Ebbw Vale. A Welsh building firm has been appointed to carry out the work, but it’s not … [Read more...]
Warning over collapsing dealer networks
Localised franchise dealer networks are “likely to remain important to fleets” says fleet software specialist FleetCheck following news that more are to close. Peter Golding, managing director at FleetCheck, said that a long-term situation was being created where many businesses were having to travel further for routine servicing, maintenance and repair. “We’re not picking out any particular … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 March
Six-in-10 UK drivers (59%) want the new Chancellor to bolster spending on the country’s crumbling local road infrastructure in the Budget by ringfencing 2p from every litre of petrol and diesel sold without increasing duty rates, according to an RAC survey of 3,200 drivers. In fact drivers feel so strongly about the need to increase spending on maintaining local roads that they would much prefer … [Read more...]
Fuel prices fall may be hit by Budget bash, warn RAC
Don’t hold your breath for fuel cuts, warn the RAC. The plunging price of oil over the weekend should bring down pump prices within days, but RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said, “This is looking like the biggest single daily drop in the oil price in 20 years. “It should translate to some serious cuts at the pumps, particularly as the price of both petrol and diesel is still overpriced … [Read more...]
Row erupts over Welsh road and parking charges
Welsh Conservatives have angrily reacted to plans for Motorists in Wales paying road tolls, congestion charges, workplace and out of town parking charges under a review ordered by Minister of Economy and Transport Ken Skates. He has appointed Derek Turner, who worked on the London congestion charge scheme, to study the implications for users and businesses as Welsh Government invests in and … [Read more...]
Call on Chancellor to push green drive
With the ban on new diesel and petrol cars brought forward to 2035, wednesday’s Budget is the time for the Government to put its money where its mouth is. There’s no doubt that alternative fuel vehicles are the future, but the motor industry needs support if it’s to hit the goal, said Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance. “For drivers, it’s time to see mandatory … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: BMW 1 Series 118i auto M Sport 5-door
The third generation BMW 1 Series range of 5-door hatchbacks is now with us, writes David Miles. In a change from previous versions this generation is predominately made up of front wheel drive versions with transversely mounted engines which have a shorter bonnet, the cabin area moved forward within the car’s footprint and the rear seat knee room is increased with a larger boot so it’s a roomier … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Skoda Superb SE L 1.5 5dr
When a car-maker gives a model a name it risks being memorable, forgettable, laughable, unpronounceable or ultimately it means little, but in the case of the Skoda Superb, it actually means a lot, writes Robin Roberts. It’s the 125thanniversary of Skoda in 2020 and for 85 years it has been making models with the name Superb. There’s probably a strange truth in the fact that many people will … [Read more...]
Welshmen far more likely to speed than women
Male drivers in Wales tend to speed 76% of the time more than women. To celebrate International Women’s Day next Sunday, telematics insurance pioneer, drive like a girl, has released new data that shows women trump their male counterparts behind the wheel. drive like a girl’s data from in-car telematics shows age plays a significant role in the likelihood of speeding. The younger the age group, … [Read more...]