Senior civil servants in Wales have been criticised by the Welsh Public Accounts Committee over their botched handling of financial affairs surrounding the failed £433M Circuit of Wales. The committee said the officials made "inexplicable decisions" about the spending and authorised £9M initial investment, but it’s unlikely to see £7.3M returned as the … [Read more...]
Safety call to Government and car-makers over braking
Britain’s leading accident research and safety centre called on the UK Government and car makers to rapidly introduce autonomous emergency braking. Thatcham Research welcomed European Commission announcement of proposals for the introduction of new road safety measures, some of the most significant in the past decade, and calls on the UK Government and … [Read more...]
It’s already winter in part of Germany
As we head towards the summer, it’s already winter in Germany. But tomorrow it could blisteringly hot, with monsoon showers the day after, before arid conditions return. All the seasons in a few hours is part of the working day for engineers in the Ford Weather Factory, Cologne. Here, Ford invested €70 million to build the facility so drivers can rely on … [Read more...]
EU to fine UK for dirty air and diesel-gate
Britain faces a multi-million pound EU fine for failing to act over diesel-gate and high NO2 emissions. The UK and five other EU member states must pay fines and on-going penalties for breaches of air quality, revealed T&E. It was adjudged breaking NO2 limits and allowing car makers to get away with selling illegally polluting cars, while others … [Read more...]
Truck safety in spotlight this week
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has called for a stronger focus on active safety technologies, to prevent accidents happening. The vehicle makers are putting their views out to scrutiny ahead of the EC’s new proposals last this week for vehicle safety measures, which the industry believe will be less effective, increase … [Read more...]
Major car brands seeking new technology
The Future Mobility Challenge is a major new initiative to spawn new partnerships, investments and acquisitions between the world’s leading automotive brands and innovative technology start-ups and SMEs. Five of the world’s biggest automotive brands, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Bosch, Ford and Toyota, have partnered with SMMT to challenge ambitious SMEs and … [Read more...]
RAC return old idea with a modern twist
The RAC is offering motorists a “riding mechanic” with its latest technology. In the early days of motoring a driver would employ a mechanic to sit in the car in case assistance was needed on a journey, now the RAC has come up with an on-board black box to do the same. Every driver taking out RAC Black Box Car Insurance who opts for … [Read more...]
Fire risk BMWs recalled after consumer probe
BMW is recalling of almost 312,000 cars following an investigation by the BBC’s consumer series Watchdog Live. The company had already issued a safety recall in 2017 affecting 36,410 petrol cars, but after Watchdog found that the same issue could affect a wider number of cars, the recall is being extended. The programme tonight features the case of Mwape … [Read more...]
Gas grid plan to feed hydrogen to vehicles & consumers
Using the gas grid to store excess electricity could boost UK renewables. The Institution of Mechanical Engineers has called for Government support to change pipes and materials to allow hydrogen to be stored in the gas grid which would make the UK energy system greener and more efficient. One of the barriers to increasing renewable capacity in the UK … [Read more...]
£25M boost for Tech Valleys project over three years
Welsh Government is accelerating its emerging technologies investment, particularly in the automotive sector. Ahead of this evening’s Blaenau Gwent Business Awards, the Welsh Government says it will invest £25m over the next three years to help make Blaenau Gwent and the wider Valleys a globally recognised centre for the development and delivery of … [Read more...]
