Bentley is going electric. A new family of luxury bespoke cars will be assembled in its Crewe factory from 2025 as part of a £2.5 Billion investment in sustainability over the next decade. The first BEV is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2025 and will mark a significant moment in Bentley’s long and illustrious history. It is also a critical step in the company’s Beyond100 … [Read more...]
Features
The changing face of car sales and part exchanges
More manufacturers selling direct to the public is going to change the dealership model in future. The effects of the growth of franchise dealer agency models on the remarketing sector are not yet understood but could be far-reaching, according to the Vehicle Remarketing Association. Last year, Genesis launched as a manufacturer only on-line sales platform supported by its own experience centres … [Read more...]
Welsh electric vehicle registrations accelerate 76% in a year
Wales is switching on to electric cars in a big way. Ultra low emission vehicles registrations across Wales shot up nearly 76% between July-September compared to the same time a year before. The Department for Transport’s figures show that at the end of September, 12,900 vehicles belonged to Welsh residents, up from 7,330 on July-September 2020. The data shows the pace of moving to electric … [Read more...]
Fleets fear petrol & diesel value collapse
Fears over the future residual values of internal combustion engine cars and vans are increasingly helping to drive fleet adoption of electric vehicles, FleetCheck is reporting. Andy Kirby, customer success director, said that worries were being expressed across its outright purchase user base that demand for used petrol and diesel vehicles might start to substantially fall in the second half of … [Read more...]
Mini has more amore than Maxi
Despite the fully fold down rear seats and ample boot space, the Austin Maxi has been placed bottom in a poll of British classic cars favoured by drivers for a first date between 1960 - 1990. On St Dwynwen's Day, the Welsh patron saint of lovers, the poll proved that passion is stronger than practicality. The survey by Great British Car Journey, found the original Mini has been declared the … [Read more...]
Councils threats to low income families’ cars
The poorest will be hit hardest by future car bans in cities, say filling station owners. While there is a need to reduce tailpipe emissions, especially in cities, local mayors should be mindful that any extra charges will significantly impact low income households who are already struggling with high energy costs, said Gordon Balmer Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 January
Production of the Rasa hydrogen car by Riversimple of Llandrindod Wells has been pushed back from this year to 2024. That is when it anticipates a manufacturing plant with 220 people will be completed in Mid Wales and the company can also look at adding a saloon and commercial vehicle to the current coupe offering, founder Hugo Spowers has told media. The Nissan Qashqai is the safest car you can … [Read more...]
Slashing costs of electric vehicles
A new employee benefit initiative, The Electric Car Scheme, has launched. Staff across the UK are now able to submit a request for a heavily discounted electric car through their employers, in a similar vein to the popular Cycle to Work scheme. This high-demand new staff benefit is a UK Government tax incentive and works via a salary sacrifice scheme. This ends up saving employees between … [Read more...]
Winter roads pose tough challenges for drivers
With reports of more fatalities and serious accidents on UK roads last year and the worst of winter weather traditionally around the corner in Wales, car warranty company MotorEasy urged drivers to consider a cautious approach on country roads in particular. This is their advice, particularly for new drivers who are facing their first winter on the roads: Check traffic updates: Before … [Read more...]
The coming of autonomous vehicles
Last year, the UK became the first country to allow self-driving cars on motorways at low speed, but the reality is still many years away for the country as a whole. The country is making incredible progress in the trials for autonomous vehicles and is funding innovative projects that will pave the way towards the transport revolution. Technological advancements in terms of AVs are at the … [Read more...]