A perfect storm is developing around Ford Bridgend Engine Plant, a union official has claimed. Jeff Beck, GMB Organiser for Wales, was responding to an interview at the Geneva Motor Show now underway and where Ford’s European boss Steve Armstrong said it needed clarity over Brexit terms before it could make any further investment in South Wales petrol … [Read more...]
Triple trouble faces car makers at Geneva show
Industry executives meeting at the Geneva motor show this week face testing choices to re-engineer existing vehicles at huge expense, restrict sales of some profitable models, or risk hundreds of millions of euros in penalties. While diesels produce more toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates than gasoline engines, their efficiency has been … [Read more...]
Aston Martin reach milestone in Wales
The first phase of Aston Martin’s new manufacturing facility at St Athan is complete. Development started on the site in late 2016 when Aston Martin was given access to the former MoD site and phase I works included the creation of the customer and staff reception areas, offices and the employee restaurant. Phase II commenced in April 2017 to convert … [Read more...]
Brits break new ground with cold air boost system
Global experts have hailed the work of a professor and his collaborator, an innovative engineer, in developing technology that can boost the performance of engines while improving fuel economy and lowering emissions. John Allport – who is Professor of Automotive Engineering at Huddersfield University, where he heads its Turbocharger Research … [Read more...]
Car makers predict growth will stall at just 1%
Car makers in Europe say they face serious challenges to cutting emissions in line with EU plans over the next 12 years. While the EU passenger car market grew by 3.4% in 2017, with over 15 million cars sold, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association forecasts that growth will slow to around 1% in 2018. “The European automobile industry is on … [Read more...]
Hydrogen hopes to rewrite valuation projections
Hydrogen cars could rewrite the standard vehicle depreciation curve, members of the Vehicle Remarketing Association heard at their monthly meeting last week. Held at the Swindon offices of fleet management specialist Arval, the meeting took a look at developments in hydrogen technology, availability of cars and likely sales. The town is the centre of the … [Read more...]
Volvo becomes climate neutral
Volvo Cars’ engine factory in Skövde, Sweden, has become the company’s first climate-neutral manufacturing plant, having switched to renewable heating as of 1 January 2018. Skövde is the first plant in Volvo Cars’ global manufacturing network to reach this status, which marks a significant step towards the company’s vision of having climate-neutral global … [Read more...]
£30M TVR sports car investment heading for Rassau factory
High performance car-maker TVR is expected resume production at a converted factory near Rassau, Blaenau Gwent. The news was released today by Welsh Government as a flagship for its £100M ten-year plan to attract investment to the Heads of the Valleys after the Circuit of Wales venture failed to win support earlier this year. The TVR £30M plan to build … [Read more...]
IMI call for Government to boost EV technicians training
The government has been urged to invest in those who will work on electric cars as well as the charging infrastructure which was given a boost in the Autumn Budget. Steve Nash, CEO of IMI, said, “The IMI welcomes that £400m is being allocated to build the electric vehicle charging infrastructure. “This is great news and puts the UK on a strong path for … [Read more...]
Welshman’s invention is key to future clean transport
The fuel cell is the only technology which will provide a sustainable automotive industry in the long run, according to the head of research for Kia Motors FCEV team, Dr Saehoon Kim. The Korean manufacturer is the country’s oldest vehicle maker and is pouring millions of dollars into research to develop the models of the future, notably using its advanced … [Read more...]
