British car manufacturing output fell by more than a fifth in the first half of 2019, with a 15.2% decline in June marking the 13th consecutive month of negative growth, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 666,521 cars rolled off production lines in the first six months, a year-on-year loss of 168,052 units due largely to falling demand in key markets, including the … [Read more...]
Cost of electric charging is fuel for thought when buying
Laws banning petrol and diesel cars are beginning to be introduced around the globe and forcing car makers to turn their attention to hybrid and fully electric vehicles. Fully electric vehicles may well be the future of low-emission transportation but, for now, hybrid cars are proving an increasingly popular compromise. Dual-energy cars are continuing to grow in popularity and if you’re not … [Read more...]
Tradelines 31 July
Vauxhall’s senior boss has said the Ellesmere Plant may be shut, axing hundreds of jobs for workers in North East Wales. Parent PSA boss Carlos Tavares said the cost of making Astra cars there may be prohibitive after Brexit and another European plant could take over their manufacture in Russelsheim, Germany from 2021. The Ford Ka+ is being killed off for Europe, dealers have been told, … [Read more...]
The lost generation now in driving seat
Younger generations of drivers are unable to carry out basic car-related tasks such as reading a physical map and checking tyre pressure. According to the survey of 2,000 Brits conducted by used car supermarket CarShop, over half of millennial drivers (58%) admit to not knowing how to read a paper map compared to just 31% of non-millennials. The research revealed that when undertaking unknown … [Read more...]
£150 Million Cardiff bus & train station go-ahead
Cardiff’s long delayed bus station has today been confirmed as part of a deal between Welsh Government, financial giant Legal & General and Central Square developer, Rightacres Property. The bus interchange operated by Transport for Wales will have bays for 14 buses and coaches on the north side of Cardiff Central railway station, and there are plans for future developments to the south, … [Read more...]
Dishing the dirt on their car lives
Two thousand British drivers have dished the dirt on themselves. They have revealed what they have kept in their cars for up to 12 months before clearing out the mess, which means many are too red-faced to smile and carry a passenger. Whilst your car might sparkle on the outside, the inside often gets neglected – meaning those fast-food cartons and old running shoes can cause a bit of a … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MINI John Cooper Works 3-Door Hatch
At last week’s MINI UK media test driving day the BMW Group brand brought along their 60th anniversary Edition Hatch model as well as the revised John Cooper Works Hatch version to be sampled, writes David Miles. With a 60th anniversary Edition model already scheduled into my forthcoming road test diary I wheeled myself out onto the winding Lambourn area country roads near Newbury for a brief … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Toyota Corolla Touring SE 1.8 Hybrid
The enduring and enterprising Toyota Corolla is a firm favourite with British car buyers and it’s easy to understand why after a week with the 1.8 Sports Excel estate hybrid, writes Robin Roberts. This spring , the 12th generation Corolla replaced the oddly-named, smaller and less attractive Auris series of models and it brought with it the latest self-charging hybrid technology which … [Read more...]
On sale date announced for Aston Martin DBX
Orders for the Welsh built Aston Martin DBX open next month at the globally important Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California. The luxury car maker has received a steady stream of enquiries since it announced the car, which will be assembled at St Athan’s new car plant. In fact, pre-production models have already been completed as part of the training process for hundreds of local people … [Read more...]
£1 M boost for Welsh EV research
Counsel General and Brexit minister Jeremy Miles yesterday announced EU funding of more than £1m to advance research into magnetic and electromagnetic materials in Wales. This investment will support Cardiff University’s Magnetic Materials and Applications (MAGMA) project, enabling the university to expand its research and development programmes in areas including electric vehicles, advanced … [Read more...]