The Welsh are worriers behind the wheel. There are now over 25.8m cars on the road in the UK today, that’s nearly one for every two people and the figure is increasing at a rate of around 600,000 every year. Even given the vast number of vehicles on the road, you’ll rarely encounter someone who openly admits they’re a bad driver. This led us to wonder, how do people’s perceptions of … [Read more...]
Used car sales steady after new cars collapse
Britain’s used car market remained near recent record highs in the third quarter of 2018, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Despite a sales dip of -2.1% compared with the same period in 2017, there were 2,057,457 used transactions in Q3, with August the quarter’s best-selling month and the Ford Fiesta was most popular with 93,260 sold. Buyers continued flocking to … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 November
Cardiff Council is expected to get tough on illegally parked or untaxed vehicles abandoned on the streets, and it could be removing 20 a week. It already has powers to clamp and remove illegally parked vehicles but does not always use them and the additional powers would see them taking over duties from the DVLA with abandoned cars early in 2019. Wales First Minister intends to decide on the … [Read more...]
Celebrity finale in Oz for FIA WRC
The closest FIA World Rally Championship battle in a generation comes to a compelling conclusion in Australia this weekend when three drivers face the ultimate title shootout. Sébastien Ogier, chasing a sixth consecutive crown in his farewell drive for the M-Sport Ford team, has erased a 23-point deficit in two rallies to head longtime leader Thierry Neuville by three points. Ott … [Read more...]
Mid-week wheels: Honda CRV 4WD auto
Now here's a simple question with a surprising answer, says David Miles. When asking what is the World’s best selling SUV: would it be a Land Rover/Range Rover of some type, a Ford, an Audi, BMW or Mercedes or a Kia, or Hyundai, a Mitsubishi, Suzuki or perhaps one of a multitude of American brands other than Ford? In fact it’s Honda’s CR-V and since the first generation model went … [Read more...]
Secret Welsh off-road tests for new AM DBX
Secret tests in Wales have started for the Aston Martin DBX SUV which will go into production in the company's new St Athan factory next year, writes Robin Roberts. Today officially confirmed as being named DBX, the first development five-door prototype was put through its paces in the hands of the company’s Chief Engineer, Matt Becker, along a demanding Wales Rally GB stage near … [Read more...]
Welsh business rolls out unique tyre-price site
A Welsh businesswoman has launched the UK’s first truly independent tyre comparison website. Unlike other retailers who simply offer a comparison of their own stock, Motokiki of Port Talbot gives free and impartial information on prices of a huge range of tyres from the widest range of manufactures and suppliers across the country. Currently, no comparison website in the UK … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 November
The Welsh Government scheme to help young people’s mobility is being extended. MyTravelPass now runs to March 2020 and has its upper age limit lifted three years to 21-year-olds. Used motorbike sales are thriving while the new market is relying on dealer and manufacture incentives to shift stock, says the Motorcycle Industry Association. The only growth in new business is the rise in … [Read more...]
Defender takes some beating
It went out of production two years ago, but automotive data experts hpi say the Land Rover Defender is the best possible 4x4xWinter. With prices soaring as they become rarer, you may have to look at something else so they have identified a selection of great performing SUV’s perfect for wintry road conditions. Hpi analyst Mark Bulmer looked at a wide variety of factors ranging from … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 November
A new VW all-electric SUV is being planned to go on sale for about £17,400. It will be part of the new range of ID series models the German car maker is preparing as it converts three factories to make the new generation ev-models planned in a probable alliance with Ford. SEAT is this week showing an electric scooter developed with Segway. It’s part of a strategy to widen the car maker’s … [Read more...]