This week's announcement of a consultation on proposed Driver Certificate of Professional Competence reforms from the Department for Transport raises serious safety concerns and devalues the professionalism of the road haulage sector. That's the opinion of business group, Logistics UK. Chris Yarsley, Senior Policy Manager – Road Freight Regulation at Logistics UK, who went on to say, “Logistics … [Read more...]
Finance News
Tevva powers up battery backup and servicing
British electric vehicle manufacturer Tevva has entered into a strategic partnership with Ecobat, the global leader in battery recycling, for the repair, repurposing and recycling of its lithium-ion batteries. The partnership kicks off with a 12-month pilot phase for first-life battery management, with the opportunity to expand into additional energy storage and recycling solutions. In the … [Read more...]
Mounting opposition to “green-washing” attack on motoring
Low traffic neighbourhoods, so called “clean air zones” and new, underused cycle lanes are all deeply unpopular. So much so that a new petition has recently appeared on the UK Parliament website (https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/633504) demanding a revision to the statutory guidance that brought them in. Within days of posting, it has attracted over 1,200 signatories. Instead of there … [Read more...]
Beware of virtual vehicle scams
Car buying scams are on the rise, driven by criminals hoping to take advantage of drivers searching online for their next set of wheels. The second-hand market is becoming a hot bed for shady and illegal practices and this week six people were arrested after a major virtual vehicle scam was uncovered by police. It is thought hundreds of victims across the UK had been targeted, parting with cash … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 February
Volkswagen will retrain over 22,000 assembly workers to transfer experience into building electric cars in its German plants, it has announced. The main plant in Wolfsburg will become a multi-platform location for the Volkswagen brand in Germany in the coming years and the company also intends to produce more ev components in-house to improve supply chain management and reduce costs. Drivers are … [Read more...]
UK car production steadies as EVs accelerate
UK car production was stable in the first month of 2023, with output down just -0.3% to 68,575 units, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The loss, equivalent to just 215 fewer cars, was driven chiefly by structural changes, reflecting a move from car to van making at one major plant, but with supply chain shortages still afflicting some … [Read more...]
Newcomers 24 February
The Suzuki Swace estate car has been comprehensively revised and given new equipment grades. Produced in conjunction with Toyota’s revised Corolla, the Suzuki Swace Motion and Ultra models now begin at £28,999 and £30,799 respectively from the end of March. The 97hp 1.8 petrol engine is boosted by a stronger electric motor producing 43hp, a 15% rise in combined power over the previous … [Read more...]
Tradelines 22 February
Fleets could consider increased support of UK-produced vehicles, FleetCheck is suggesting, as Nissan questioned the future of its Sunderland plant. Peter Golding, managing director at the leading fleet management software specialist said businesses that bought vehicles could have an impact on local manufacturing saying, "UK motor manufacturing has already lost Honda in recent years, electric MINI … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 February
Following the positive feedback on the one-off presented in summer 2022, MINI is going ahead with a small series of all-electric MINI Convertible (power consumption combined: 17.2 kWh/62 miles according to WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km, Energy Consumption – 3.6 miles/kWh), representing another big step in the direction of electric mobility. "Three years ago, we launched the MINI Electric, … [Read more...]
Government push back from new extended MoT deadline
The Independent Garage Association and Scottish Motor Trade Association conducted a meeting with the Department for Transport and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency to discuss the current consultation on MOT frequency and enhancements. During the meeting, the DfT were asked why such a large and complex consultation covering 27 areas within the MOT test was published with only a six-week response … [Read more...]