Six out of 10 people believe that drivers of 4x4s and other large cars should pay more to park in city centres, according to research. April’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 37% say such vehicles are too big for city streets and the same percentage that they are too polluting. And just over a fifth (22%) think that charging more money will help to dissuade drivers from bringing these … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 April
The all-new Honda CR-V e:HEV and e:PHEV models with SENSING 360, have been awarded the maximum five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests. Embodying Honda’s commitment to zero road fatalities involving any of its products by 2050, the sixth generation CR-V features a number of improved and upgraded technologies to achieve one of the highest levels of passenger and pedestrian safety in … [Read more...]
Rally.TV gets global television boost
As a long-term agreement, Rally.TV will be available globally across the television sporting channel DAZN platform, beginning in late May. As such, millions of DAZN subscribers will be able to enjoy Rally.TV both through the premium add-on and through selected free-to-access content. Rally.TV is dedicated to delivering every moment of action from the highest echelon of the sport. This includes a … [Read more...]
Verstappen will rally in Wales this weekend
Former Le Mans winner and Formula One racing driver Jos Verstappen will tackle the second round of the Probite British Rally Championship, the Rallynuts Severn Valley Stages on Saturday. Verstappen, father of F1 superstar, three-time F1 champion and Red Bull Racing driver Max, will make his debut in the BRC and the UK, tackling the world-famous Welsh gravel for the first time. He will drive a … [Read more...]
Van sales soar but drive must be with EVs
Following the best February performance in 26 years experienced by the new light commercial van market, it is positive to see that the market has continued this trend with another month of growth, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association commenting on the latest SMMT’s new van registration figures. "March witnessed a significant surge in fleet renewal … [Read more...]
FRF Group & North Road are Toyota’s award winners
South Wales' FRF business has won the Toyota Best Retailer in Town Group award. Their Swansea dealership also collected the award for new vehicle sales in 2023. This is the 10th year of the Toyota BRIT awards which recognise the top-performing Toyota centres in the UK. FRF Group, winner of the Best Toyota Group award, is a family business that has operated in South Wales for more than 20 … [Read more...]
Agency dealers are giving poorer service
Adoption of the dealer agency model appears to be leading to poorer quality vehicle deliveries in at least some instances, says the Association of Fleet Professionals. Members of the organisation have complained of a fall in standards, with electric vehicles (EVs) being delivered with little charge and internal combustion cars with only a small amount of fuel. Paul Hollick, chair at the AFP, … [Read more...]
Newcomers from VW, Audi and Skoda
The latest version of the Volkswagen Golf is available to order in the UK on 11 April – 50 years after the original model began what is now one of the biggest automotive success stories. This latest chapter in the story of the Golf features Volkswagen’s newest infotainment system – complete with ChatGPT integration and an intuitive operating concept – plus a sharper design that incorporates, … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 April
The first electric Metro train ran north of Cardiff to Pontypridd during daylight hours on a test of the latest Stadler 756 model combination, which will be the backbone of the new Valleys services. Following the test run, further routes on the Core Valleys Network will see testing take place in the coming weeks before the start of an intensive train crew training programme and before entering … [Read more...]
Call for end to hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles are an expensive farce rather than a stepping stone to electrified transportation, says the director of a charging point company. "Hybrid vehicles are undermining the important environment work to electrify the UK transport network," says Jack Parsler, Development Director of nationwide electric vehicle charge point installer Crystal EV. "Hybrid vehicles were heralded … [Read more...]