Welsh Government has increased the number of traffic officers on the M4 around Newport since plans for an alternative route were abandoned this summer after a £114M enquiry recommended the go-ahead of the controversial Black-Route over greenfields. More recovery vehicles were allocated during the summer months and these will now be deployed for major events and bank holidays in future as live … [Read more...]
Diesel demand still significant
While the anti-diesel rhetoric has turned a number of people away from diesel cars, an estimated 4m drivers remain convinced it is the right option for them and will be opting for diesel car next (13%), according to research from the Britain Under the Bonnet report from Close Brothers Motor Finance. However, concerns about taxes and the ability to sell diesel cars have risen and are holding … [Read more...]
Mid-week roadtest: Volkswagen Passat Saloon Advance
Last week’s media launch was the first opportunity for us to drive the new Passat models in the UK and the first opportunity anywhere to drive the Saloon, writes David Miles. So with that in mind, plus the overall decline in diesel sales in our domestic market, I opted for the Passat Saloon GTE Advance 1.4-litre TSI, PHEV, 218hp, 6-speed DSG auto priced at £38,940. There are extra cost … [Read more...]
Land Rover Defender returns
Britain’s oldest 4x4xFar is back. Over 70 years after the model which became Defender was unveiled and three years after the last series was axed by Land Rover, a new 21st century model is a star of the Frankfurt motor show and order books now open for the first long wheelbase five-door models, followed soon after by a shorter wheelbase three-door model and a commercial series. A genuine modern … [Read more...]
Latest Mercedes models prices’ confirmed
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S, CLA 45 S and CLA 45 S Shooting Brake are available to order now with prices starting from £50,570 for the A 45 S 4MATIC+, £52,145 for the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Coupé and £53,570 for the CLA 45 S Shooting Brake 4MATIC+. The A 45 S 4MATIC + Plus costs £56,570. The CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Plus Coupé starts at £58,145, while the CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ Plus Shooting Brake is available … [Read more...]
BEV sales are boosting business
Battery electric vehicle demand doubled in July across Europe. Despite continuing economic uncertainty and diminishing consumer confidence, the European car market registered growth in July 2019, as registrations were up by 1.2% to 1,325,600 units. Although the growth was marginal, it marks a significant improvement on the drop seen in June, when registrations fell by 7.9%. However, the result … [Read more...]
Dealers welcome Government boost to EV charging network
It is positive to see that the Government has announced additional funds for charge-points on residential streets, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced an additional £2.5 million to fund the installation of over 1,000 new … [Read more...]
Battery cars and Welsh buyers bucking the trend
New car sales in Wales are holding up better than the rest of mainland Britain and pure battery vehicles are booming toward record numbers. SMMT figures for July showed a drop of just 1.18% to 5,551 registrations last month while they went down over 2% in Scotland and a whopping 4.57% in England. Meanwhile, dealers in Northern Ireland reported a modest 1.18% gain in sales, bucking the trend of … [Read more...]
Pre-reg bargains to be had by canny motorists
Pre-registrations are returning to the new car market in a noticeable manner, members of the Vehicle Remarketing Association were told at the organisation’s latest meeting. Speakers Mike Jones, chair of ASE Global and Rupert Pontin, insight director at Cazana, both indicated in their presentations that late-month registration activity was increasing. Mike said, “There is little question that … [Read more...]
EV model ranges to triple over three years
The number of electric car models on the UK market could more than triple within the next three years, new analysis shows. After several years of timid growth, carmakers will be offering 214 electric models across Europe in 2021 – up from the 60 available, officially at least, at the end of 2018. Transport & Environment (T&E), which publishes the analysis today using data from … [Read more...]