As Discovery approaches its 30th birthday it has matured into a luxury cut price alternative to the flagship Range Rover series. That’s not a bad thing as a number of rivals have moved into this sector since the Range Rover laid down the challenge to produce a true luxury off-roader and now the Discovery can offer challengers a real battle for the business based on an immense off-road … [Read more...]
Used prices rising as new cars stall
Nearly new car prices are escalating in the wake of a shortage of new cars due to tougher emissions tests in factories. Prices in the used vehicle sector are being artificially inflated post-WLTP as competition hots up amongst buyers for nearly new and ex-fleet stock according to Shoreham Vehicle Auctions. And they are likely to stay this way until Spring 2019 as the used car market … [Read more...]
Volvo XC40 range rolls onwards
With the September new registration plate month over, Paris Motor Show finished, diesel engine vilification ongoing, not to mention Brexit and, oh yes the Government’ Autumn Budget, it's still that time of year when car manufacturers need to roll out their 2019 model ranges, writes David Miles. Volvo UK has just done that for their 2019 model year range, no totally new models yet, … [Read more...]
Poetry in motion angers ASA
A line from a 71-year-old poem by Dylan Thomas has been condemned by the Advertising Standards Authority as encouraging motorists to drive in an aggressive manner. The line “rage against the dying of the light” from the Welsh poet’s 1947 work “Do no go gentle into that good night” was used in a Ford Mustang advert which led to complaints to the ASA. Ford said it was intended to convey … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 October
Priority for proper road repairs should precede building new highways, said Welsh Assembly members. It comes after the Welsh Assembly's economy, infrastructure and skills committee launched a photo competition to highlight the state of the roads and a resident from Wrexham submitted the worst example along the A525. Jaguar Land Rover and unions have agreed to delay pay negotiations in … [Read more...]
Dylan takes Pirelli series to the flag
Llanon driver Dylan Davies has won the Pirelli MSA Welsh Forest Rally Championship but in one of the most closely fought seasons that the series have ever witnessed it took a tie-breaker to determine the destination of the crown, writes Peter Hughes. Dylan and Caernarfon co-driver Llion Williams finished equal on points with former champion Matt Edwards of Llysfaen and co-driver Darren Garrod, … [Read more...]
Grey fleet & gig-economy grumbles
Vehicles driven by owner-operators working as part of the gig economy need to be brought into line with mainstream fleet standards, says FleetCheck. The fleet management specialist says that these cars and drivers are really just another element of grey fleet management and should be treated in exactly the same way. Peter Golding, managing director at FleetCheck, said, “I dare say we have … [Read more...]
On line auction group opens three prep-centres
Online-only sales operation CD Auction Group has opened three new return sites for processing cars and vans before they go into a web-sale. Located in Bolton, Gloucester and Thurleigh, the new sites offer rental, leasing and corporate sector clients access to localised defleet services including, vehicle inspections, on-site bodyshop and valeting facilities as well as high-quality photography … [Read more...]
Tradelines 24 October
The withdrawal of the Government’s plug-in hybrid grant will add about £2,500 to models and make them no longer commercially viable for many fleets, said Meridian Vehicle Solutions. It has taken the decision to operate its current plug-in rentals but not add further versions when they are due to be replaced. VW has introduced an old-diesel swapping scheme in Germany where 14 cities are … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 October
Ford will stop vehicle production at its Valencia plant for nine days next month due to falling demand for its Kuga, Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max models. Engine production will also halt for nearly two weeks and follows a three-day stoppage this month. The first Dyson electric cars will be made in a new factory in Singapore where it makes motors and not in the UK where it has a research and … [Read more...]