Features

Plug pulled on sales of new Ford Kuga PHEV

12 August 2020

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 … [Read more...]

Auction action accelerates

12 August 2020

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 … [Read more...]

Newslines 11 August

11 August 2020

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 … [Read more...]

Newslines 10 August

10 August 2020

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 … [Read more...]

Behind the Wheel: Driving towards a cliff

8 August 2020

Tens of thousands of more jobs are likely to disappear from the UK automotive sector before the end of the year, writes Robin Roberts. Some 11,349 jobs so far axed following lockdown will grow and despite this week’s 11% rise in new car registrations the outlook is bleak. That’s because the first upturn in showroom sales came at the end of … [Read more...]

Beware of holiday ‘hang ons’ with car hire

7 August 2020

Holidaymakers planning to hire a car in the UK this summer should check the price of the car hire ‘extras’ they need, as the cost at the rental desk can differ by hundreds of pounds. That’s according to a study of Sixt, Europcar, Enterprise and Hertz in eight UK cities includding Swansea by iCarhireinsurance.com, provider of stand-alone car hire excess … [Read more...]

Wales leads UK car sales recovery with Vauxhall Corsa

6 August 2020

New car sales in Wales have recovered better than the rest of the UK. Welsh figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show a 39.22 % rise in July compared to the same month last year and brings the running total for this year to just 34.55% below the first seven months of 2019, also better than other regions. Dealers in Wales … [Read more...]

One-off Bristol sports car up for sale

5 August 2020

Car enthusiasts are getting a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy a unique one-off four-year-old British sports car, and it could cost them hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Bristol Bullet roadster is among items being disposed of by joint liquidators of Britsol Cars, which folded earlier this year. Jeremy Frost and Patrick Wadsted of Frost Group … [Read more...]

BREAKING NEWS: Gordon Murray T50 supercar revealed

4 August 2020

Gordon Murray’s T50 Supercar has been revealed. Just 100 versions of the £2.36 Million ex-works made to measure three-seater with gull-wing doors will be available from January 2022 and they are expected to be snapped up. The model celebrates Gordon Murray’s 50 years in motor sport and road car design and engineering business which has seen him working at … [Read more...]

JLR loose bid to protect Defender shape