StreetDrone autonomous technology company has won UK Government funding as part of a consortium tasked with delivering an autonomous logistics capability to Nissan’s Sunderland car plant. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport grant will be used to develop 5G connected and self-driving 40-tonne trucks capable of moving parts and assemblies between Nissan’s Sunderland manufacturing plant and … [Read more...]
Features
Cameras catch Cardiff drivers in £2.4M net
Cardiff Council has netted £2.4M in spot-fines from drivers photographed committing moving traffic offences in just 12 months. Stopping in yellow boxes, driving in bus lanes or the wrong way down one-streets has been a bumper fund raiser for the Welsh capital and its success may now be duplicated in other Welsh cities and towns as legislation is rolled out. The enforcement of moving traffic … [Read more...]
Easy on the evs as more look at trials
A try before you buy scheme for electric vehicles could be what’s needed to dispel the lingering concerns surrounding the technology, finds a new study. A survey of 2,025 UK drivers conducted by Auto Trader reveals that 70% of UK motorists would be interested in leasing an electric vehicle for a 2 to 3 year prolonged test-drive, getting to grips with the features and technology before committing … [Read more...]
Classics become contemporary as sales boom
Owning, restoring and driving a classic car is a common dream, but it requires significant investment at every stage – in both time and money. Such desirable, high-value vehicles are inevitably also a common target for professional thieves meeting demand for vintage cars and their parts in the UK and across Europe. Stolen vehicle recovery (SVR) expert, Tracker, is sharing tips to help first-time … [Read more...]
Welsh Government increases paper trips despite clampdown
There has been a sharp rise by Welsh Government moving documents in official cars. Despite moves to cut traffic generated pollution including a 50mph limit on parts of the M4 and other trunk roads in Wales, hundreds of trips have been made over three years, including a very sharp rise this year, by Welsh Labour-led Government-owned vehicles to just transport documents without a minister … [Read more...]
Petrol peak passes as ev points rise
The rise in electric charging points is steadily rising and possibly indicates that petrol and diesel sales have peaked. Government figures this week showed that at 1 July 2020, there were 18,265 public electric vehicle charging devices available in the UK. Of these, 3,206 were rapid devices. Since 2015, the number of public charging devices has grown by nearly five times to July 2020, with … [Read more...]
Plug pulled on sales of new Ford Kuga PHEV
By David Miles Ford has pulled the plug on sales of the its new Kuga PHEV. Four car fires have been associated with the battery pack during charging and it’s believed some 27.000 models around the world could be affected. The plug-in hybrid SUV arrived in showrooms only recently and proved popular, accounting for 50% of Kuga’s European sales for the second quarter of the year. Around 7,000 … [Read more...]
Auction action accelerates
Auction houses are experiencing strong vehicle values and a strong demand for stock, according to the National Association of Motor Auctions. While the majority of auction houses are not yet opening their auction halls to buyers, they continue to be very busy with on-line sales. Used vehicles are in keen demand from consumers post-lockdown as many look for an alternative to public transport … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 August
Tough labour laws in France mean that Ineos stands to pick up an idling Daimler plant in Hamach in a distressed sale for €500 Million to build its forthcoming Grenadier 4x4 after suspending plans for a new factory outside Bridgend. If the sale falls through, Ineos may return to South Wales but there is another option on a struggling Nissan site in Spain as well. The Proton brand could resurface … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 August
Drivers are planning on making an estimated 45m daytrips* in August, according to a survey conducted by RAC Breakdown, with more than a quarter (28%) saying they will be taking more outings than last year – perhaps indicating the extent of the COVID-19 staycation. While these figures do not include overnight stays which are likely to increase traffic volumes still further, they show half of all … [Read more...]