Dana Williams CEng (IMechE), is the Welsh Automotive Forum's new Project and Operations Manager, responsible for Member liaison and also the delivery of our Net Zero Mobility Wales project. With a 22-year career in the automotive and aerospace industry, she started as a graduate at Ford Motor Company (Bridgend), within Manufacturing Engineering, after which she spent 4 years at BAE Systems … [Read more...]
Winter sun dangers highlighted
Over the decade there have been 33,399 casualties to road users with dazzling sun being marked as a significant contributing factor. On average this results in 653 road users being killed or experiencing serious injury every year. Cars are involved in the majority of casualties attributed to sun glare, making up 59% in 2021 and 63% across the decade. The Department of Transport recently … [Read more...]
Take volts to views
An electric bike firm in South Wales is powering to success in its first year, with support from the Development Bank of Wales. Gower Electric Bikes launched earlier this year, supported with a £17,000 loan from the Wales Micro Loan Fund. Gower became the UK’s first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1956, and still regularly wins awards as one of the best places to visit in the … [Read more...]
Annual average car costs rise by £1,000
Annual average car costs have risen by almost £1,000 – an increase of around 20% – since the start of 2022. November’s Startline Used Car Tracker research suggests motorists' annual spending on fuel, insurance, servicing and car finance had risen by £80 a month. The biggest single increase was seen in fuel at £37 per month but insurance and motor car finance both rose by around £20 per … [Read more...]
Vehicle leasing costs rising & more to come
Higher Bank of England interest rates mean that company car and van lease costs are beginning to increase, reports the Association of Fleet Professionals. Denise Lane, board director at the industry body, explained that the increases were not uniform across the market but widely reported by AFP members and especially appeared to be affecting vehicles already on order. She said, “Businesses are … [Read more...]
Row erupts over Welsh Government 20mph limit in 2023
A new 20mph default speed limit in communities across Wales could save £100m as deaths and injuries are reduced, according to new research, but it will cost £4.5Billion to implement. New research showing a reduction in deaths and injuries as traffic slows down is being published yesterday longside new survey results showing continued public support for the national roll out of the lower … [Read more...]
Toll charging favoured to replace fuel duties
Campaign for Better Transport say that 60% of the British public agree that there is a need to reform the current system of vehicle taxation with significantly more people agreeing that a pay-as-you-drive system would be a good way ahead than those who oppose it. The report recognises that the system of taxation relating to motor vehicles will need to change as an increasing number of electric … [Read more...]
Suzuki’s expresso single shot model
It's what you might call the ultimate expresso of 4x4 living, the Suzuki Jimny Beans. The bespoke, one-off conversion is a fully operational mobile coffee bar used for Suzuki media and promotional events across all divisions of the company of Car, Motorcycle, ATV and Marine products. Based on a Jimny LCV and finished in Chiffon Ivory Pearl metallic with Bluish Black roof, the conversion was … [Read more...]
Cardiff Parkway station plan is in the sidings
The Welsh Conservatives have accused Labour’s transport policy of consisting of nothing but delays and empty rhetoric as plans for the Cardiff Parkway station were placed on hold. Commenting, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS said, “When the First Minister took the unilateral decision to go against the independent planning inspectorate and cancel the M4 relief … [Read more...]
End of the ICE age in 2035
Car makers have agreed to end petrol and diesel engine production throughout Europe by 2035. But they say tough emissions targets can be met only if there is a concerted Governments’ drive to strengthen the vehicle recharging network. Following the EU deal on CO2 targets for cars and vans, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association urged European policy makers to shift into higher gear … [Read more...]