UK car production declined -19.2% in the first six months of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, with 95,792 fewer vehicles built compared with the same period in 2021. Just 403,131 units were built, representing the weakest first half since the pandemic-ravaged 2020 and worse than 2009 when the global financial crisis decimated demand. The main cause remains … [Read more...]
Finance News
Hydrogen lorries are a must for businesses
The H2Accelerate collaboration has published a new white paper in support of the use of hydrogen in long-haul trucking, based on focus group discussions with truck end-users and logistics providers. The paper sets out the conclusions of a series of focus groups with companies such as Amazon, Nestle Waters, DB Schenker, and Kuehne-Nagel, who have the potential to drive significant market demand … [Read more...]
New battery design reduces carbon footprint
Solid-state batteries should reduce the carbon footprint of electric vehicle batteries by almost two-fifths – further increasing EVs’ environmental advantage over fossil fuel vehicles. That’s according to research commissioned by Transport & Environment from Minviro, a UK-based company specialised in raw material life-cycle analysis, which compared emerging solid state technology to current … [Read more...]
Welsh firms jointly working on new type of electric motor
A consortium including industry and academia, led by Caerphilly-based advanced research and development firm Deregallera, will begin work on an alternative motor for electric vehicles that’s less harmful to the global environment, thanks to support from the £1.8m Ford Low Carbon Vehicle Transformation Fund. Administered by the Welsh Government as part of Ford’s legacy in Wales, the Low Carbon … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 July
The eagerly awaited Autolink networking event organised by the Welsh Automotive Forum will be held on 27 September at Cardiff City Stadium, Leckwith. It brings together key suppliers and automotive component makers, potential investors and specialists with a session of presentations, opportunities to discuss ventures and see the latest products created for the industry. Just 10% of a sample of … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 July
With new multi-million pound backers from the Middle East, Aston Martin is giving its marque a new marketing strategy and reworking of its iconic winged badge. Designer Peter Saville has restyled the badge which is still produced in the Birmingham jewellery quarter. Channel Tunnel traffic has soared and pushed its operator’s income 206% over the previous 12 months when pandemic restrictions … [Read more...]
Reducing risk of plunging fleet values
The vast majority of fleets purchase vehicles outright and then dispose of the assets privately once they have no more uses vehicles, a study has revealed. According to RAM Tracking’s Vehicle Buying Survey 2022, just 41% of fleets said they defy fleet conventions and purchase vehicles outright. The second most popular method of funding vehicles is via a leasing company and the third most popular … [Read more...]
Tolls to replace lost fuel duties and taxes
Road tolls are back on the Government's agenda. The fleet sector needs to start having a constructive discussion about the likelihood of road charging being introduced in the future and the kind of scheme it would like to see, says FleetCheck. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software specialist, said that the rapid growth in electric vehicles expected over the next few years – and … [Read more...]
Softening of demand for cars is concerning
The cost of cars is by far the top priority for car-buyers as the cost of living crisis bites, according to new findings from Close Brothers Motor Finance’s Dealer Satisfaction Survey. Almost three quarters of dealers (74%) put the cost of the car at the top of the list of customer priorities when looking to buy, followed by the mileage (26%). Other priorities included extras like the sound … [Read more...]
MG announce revised electric models
MG has confirmed full pricing and specification of the new MG5 EV estate, available to order now with the first deliveries expected before the end of 2022. Reflecting MG Motor UK’s Get More trademark, buyers can choose between two specifications, both featuring fantastic levels of standard equipment, with the SE priced at just £30,995 and the Trophy at £33,495. The new MG5 features significant … [Read more...]