Tesla accelerated to the front of the pack, taking pole position as the world’s most valuable automotive brand, with its value surging by 44% to USD66.2 billion, according to a new report from leading brand valuation consultancy, Brand Finance, but Ferrari remains the strongest brand. This makes it the world’s most valuable Automobiles brand for the first time, and the first time that a … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: GWM Funky Cat 1st Edition
The UK’s electric car revolution is becoming a bloody affair. From initially resisting the new technology on cost grounds including writing off established investments in petrol and diesel engine technology and having to develop hybrid or pure electric powertrains, along with making tens of thousands of workers redundant, manufacturers have struggled to convince buyers into showrooms or on-line … [Read more...]
Bamboo bikes have the right balance
It's the ultimate green machine - a bike which grows in trees. In an article published on Wheels-Alive on 6 January 2023 on Wheels-Alive I described how the Roots Bamboo Bikes which use sustainable bamboo – ethically-sourced and fairly-traded – for their frames were developed in Ghana and how they came to be sold in Lostwithiel. In that feature I mentioned that a future ‘road test’ might follow … [Read more...]
Call for urgent open-sourcing of vehicle data
Pressure is mounting to compel vehicle makers to put technical data into an open source. A unique and broad alliance of consumer groups, automotive suppliers, leasing and rental industries, aftermarket operators, vehicle dealers, authorised and independent workshops, data publishers, and insurers have joined forces to call on Commissioner Thierry Breton to urgently bring forward long-planned … [Read more...]
Welsh trials power new drive
AFTER trials in North and Mid Wales a new “energy map” to quickly identify the best places to install public chargepoints for electric vehicles (EVs) has been developed as part of an innovative project led by SP Energy Networks. The project also investigated how increased charging demand can be effectively accommodated by the local electricity network. The Charge Project – funded by the … [Read more...]
Beware of new insurance ‘admin fees’
Go.Compare car insurance says the number of policies that now charge admin fees has risen since this time last year. The comparison site has reviewed the 332 comprehensive car insurance products in the market in 2023 and compared the admin fees charged today, compared with the same fees charged in the same period in 2022. It found that the number of car insurance products that now charge … [Read more...]
Older drivers reluctant to switch insurers
Go.Compare car insurance has discovered that around more than 2.1million drivers, have not switched car insurance in the past decade or more. The findings, which asked drivers how often they have switched insurers, also discovered that the older generation are less likely to switch, with 12% of those aged 65 or more admitting that they have been with the same car insurer for more than 10 … [Read more...]
Drivers want dash-cams as standard to cut premiums
A recent report from Go.Compare Car Insurance has found that nearly all dash cam owners believe the device should be installed as standard in new vehicles. Currently, only 18% of motorists have a dash cam fitted in their car. The insurance comparison site’s poll found that the majority (91%) of dash cam owners believe they should be a standard piece of safety equipment, much like seatbelts … [Read more...]
Newslines 3 March
Owners of the latest Kia models can now benefit from the latest infotainment features more quickly and easily, thanks to new over-the-air functionality. Available for all Kia models equipped with Kia Connect from MY22 onwards, OTA capability ensures the customer’s satellite navigation unit can wirelessly receive map and related software updates. Bus services will see a £150M support scheme from … [Read more...]
Dealers sparking complaints over EVs
Customer service and purchase issues drove EV complaints to The Motor Ombudsman in 2022. The Motor Ombudsman, the Ombudsman dedicated to the automotive sector, has revealed that issues relating to the purchase process or the service received from a business after buying a car, sparked the majority (41%) of consumer complaints about an electric vehicle (EV) in 2022. This marks an 8% … [Read more...]