The UK is facing a shortage of 76,000 thousand drivers, despite the wages being higher than the UK average and jobs waiting. Mark Hall from Divert.co.uk, a rubbish removal company based in York, said, “Young kids don’t think the professional driving industry is sexy enough and instead they are all spending £30,000 on a university degree with a dubious title such as media studies only to … [Read more...]
Features
Staggering 75% stolen cars never recovered
More than 200 cars are stolen every day and the trend is rising. The data has been revealed following a Freedom of Information request Rivervale Leasing submitted to the Swansea-based DVLA. The Government's records made pretty grim reading because around 75,000 vehicles were nicked last year, that’s nearly 20,000 more than in 2019. So we’re talking about more than 200 stolen vehicles … [Read more...]
Kerbside charging essential to power up green drive
The Government has just announced a £20M boost for more EV charging, but incentives and technology to create kerbside charging should be laid out in next month's Budget, said the Association of Fleet Operators. Chair Paul Hollick said that around 40% of potential electric vehicle users lived in properties without drives and providing them with some form of domestic charging was essential if the … [Read more...]
Welsh taxi drivers get free Coronavirus protection
Taxi drivers in Wales will be better protected against catching Coronavirus. Russell George MS – Shadow Minister for Transport – has given a broad welcome by the initiative from the Welsh Government to introduce “free” PPE for taxi and PHV drivers in Wales, but questions why it has taken Labour so long to introduce the scheme. Mr George said that it is essential to recognise the vital … [Read more...]
Grey clouds hanging over public transport
Grey fleet operations could see an explosion in vehicles over the next year as research shows an increasing number of people will shun public transport in favour of buying a car, FleetCheck is warning. Peter Golding (right), managing director at the fleet software specialist, pointed to a new Capgemini report that showed just 8% of people now see buses, trains and trams as their primary means of … [Read more...]
EVs premiums cause for concerns
In a poll of 1,000 drivers almost one in 10 said they think electric car premiums would be more expensive, with one in eight of those aged 17-24 admitting this would potentially stop them buying. While it’s previously been difficult for young drivers to secure low-cost car insurance, as electric cars sales are rising, premiums are starting to fall. Insurance expert Ben Smithson said, “In order … [Read more...]
Warranties surge as sales stagger
Warrantywise is one of Britain's largest car warranty companies and had a record year in sales growth. They are celebrating an outstanding 55% growth in sales year on year. Lawrence Whittaker, CEO of Warrantywise, attributes this to a number of reasons, "We've had a fantastic year for sales, and worked really hard on setting goals to achieve this. “We hired a new Chief … [Read more...]
UK car making lowest in generation
UK car making slumped last year to the lowest since 1984, hit by Covid-19 interruptions and a collapse in demand for most of the year. The car makers' body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders chief Mike Hawes said it was a "dreadful year" but added that a comprehensive vaccination programme might restore buying and production. Output was 920,928 vehicles, a 29.3% fall on … [Read more...]
Brakes go on Bloodhound LSR attempt
Covid-19 has puts the brakes on the Bloodhound Land Speed Record project it was announced today. The multi-million-pound plan to smash 800mph on land to is looking for a new owner to take the team through to setting a new World Land Speed Record in 2022. In 2019, the Bloodhound team deployed out to South Africa to conduct high speed testing of the most advanced straight-line racing car in … [Read more...]
£100M new model and plan for Lotus
Road and racing marque Lotus is investing £100M in a new model and production facility. A new series of sports cars is confirmed with prototype production of the Lotus Type 131 to commence this year in Hethel, Norfolk. It is likely to be the last powered by a conventional petrol engine before an ev-powertrain is developed. The new manufacturing investment is part of … [Read more...]