UK vehicle production hit 1,025,474 units in 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. With 905,117 cars and 120,357 commercial vehicles (CVs) produced, output was up 17.0% on the previous year with the easing of pandemic-related challenges from chip shortages to lockdowns and increasing electrified model production, combined to drive annual output above one million for … [Read more...]
Finance News
EV production lines will slow, say manufacturers
Europe's producers now anticipate making 500,000 fewer electric vehicles than expected two years ago. In the face of ongoing economic and industrial uncertainty, the automotive supply industry braces for a year of moderate growth although the electric vehicle segment continues to take a larger share however, according to CLEP Nevertheless, overall production volumes remain significantly below … [Read more...]
Northerners are more moral about scrapes
It's a scenario many drivers fear: you return to your parked car to find a fresh dent or scratch, with no note, no apology—just a silent testament to someone's hasty retreat. But how common is this hit-and-run attitude in the UK? A recent survey commissioned by Zego Van Insurance sheds light on the state of British honesty when it comes to minor car bumps. The findings are as intriguing as they … [Read more...]
UK car makers warn of clash with Canada
The breakdown of trade talks with Canada threatens massive costs for UK car makers exporting there, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders today. The stalemate on a free trade deal creates the risk of tariffs being imposed on British-made cars sold in Canada. Britain's current deal after Brexit until April means we export vehicles containing EU-manufactured parts to Canada … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 January
The exclusive Auto Vivendi supercar club is powering ahead this year. It's already significant car collection is due to expand further with the arrival of the must have cars for 2024, including the highly anticipated Ferrari Purosangue (above) and Lamborghini Revuelto (below) and coupled with signature events, including supercar drive tours to Italy, Iceland and Spain, 2024 promises to be another … [Read more...]
Shared charging points for fleets
A new committee formed to look at the practicalities of sharing charging infrastructure between fleets operating electric vans has been launched by the Association of Fleet Professionals. To be led by AFP chair Paul Hollick, it will investigate ways in which businesses can make their own chargers available to other organisations on a reciprocal basis. It follows research undertaken by the AFP in … [Read more...]
1.8 M drivers have The Knowledge
The Motor Ombudsman’s online Knowledge Base is five years old. Accessible on every page of the Ombudsman’s website, TheMotorOmbudsman.org, the Knowledge Base was introduced in January 2019 to help consumers find answers to frequently-asked questions, and information in relation to buying and owning a car. During the last half-decade, the Knowledge Base has grown to 11 different categories … [Read more...]
Good time to buy used cars, suggests survey
There’s been a sharp month-on-month rise in car dealers reporting the condition of used stock is improving – up from 20% in December to 33% now. Research from Startline’s January Used Car Tracker also shows that the percentage stating stock is getting older is also down from 30% to 23%. Additionally, 48% say that supply is improving - the best figure since 32% in October - while those saying it … [Read more...]
Dealers to be investigated over car finance commissions
THE Financial Conduct Authority will probe the motor finance industry over concerns about commission arrangements. In 2021, the FCA banned incentives for brokers to increase the interest rate that a customer pays for their motor finance, but many customers have logged complaints claiming compensation for unfair commission arrangements struck prior to the ban, the Authority said. Motor finance … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 January
Bentley Motors achieved its third best ever year in 2023 with global sales of 13,560 luxury cars. Around three-quarters of customers went beyond the 46 billion different configurations available from the standard options range to add bespoke content from Bentley’s Mulliner division, representing a 43 per cent rise over 2022, an indication of the desire for truly unique exclusivity in the luxury … [Read more...]