Hatchbacks are the most popular cars among drivers in 2021, with over a third of motorists saying a hatchback will be their vehicle of choice if they buy this year, said AA Cars. At a time of surging demand in the used car market, partly caused by the supply of new vehicles being restricted due to microchip shortages, hatchbacks remain enduringly popular and are the first choice of 35% of … [Read more...]
Finance
New range anxiety – for petrol & diesel cars
With new car registrations at their lowest since 1999 and the fuel crisis showing no sign of slowing data from New AutoMotive that shows “range anxiety” is becoming a thing of the past for electric vehicle drives with the number of charging points across the UK increasing by 32%, from 18,265 in July 2020 to 24,374 in July 2021 - an increase of 6,000. Sales in September show the only segment of … [Read more...]
Fuel shortages drying up car sales, says finance company
The ongoing fuel crisis is detering new car buyers, according to Close Brothers Motor Finance. A fifth (20%) of the UK public admit the fuel shortage up and down the country has put them off buying a new car. The research, which examined the impact of the national fuel shortage on car buying, found that well over a quarter (27%) say the crisis has made them think about purchasing an … [Read more...]
September registrations worst for over two decades
New car registrations collapsed to a 22 year low last month due to the semi-conductor shortage delaying scores of models' introduction. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported sales plummeted 34.4% year on year in September – traditionally one of the busiest months for the industry after the March new-plate change. Just 214,312 new cars were registered with the latest plate … [Read more...]
EVs cheaper to insure than petrol or diesel cars
GoCompare car insurance data shows Electric Vehicles are now cheaper to insure than petrol or diesel cars. The average cost of insuring an electric car in July 2021 was £484, compared with £489 for a petrol vehicle and £534 for a diesel car. The average cost of insuring electric vehicles has also seen a steady decrease since 2019 – with a £65 drop in average costs from the first six months … [Read more...]
UK drivers shunning electric cars over costs
Over half of UK drivers say electric cars cost too much and charging points are too scarce. The Opinium survey of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap, a supplier of Guaranteed Asset Protection, asked drivers what they thought of electric cars. Cost is the biggest concern for most drivers, with 56% saying electric cars cost too much (58% men and 54% women), rising to 65% of 55 and … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 September
Welsh road casualties fell by a third last year as the Covid-19 epidemic forced people to stay at home and make only essential journeys., according to Welsh government figures. There were 819 people killed or seriously injured in Wales in 2020 - a fall of 31% compared with 2019. BP is reducing fuel deliveries to its filling stations to conserve supplies with a shortage of delivery … [Read more...]
Price confirmed for Lotus Emira V6
Lotus has confirmed the price and full specification of the all-new Emira V6 First Edition. The car, fully loaded with a host of desirable technology, infotainment and comfort features plus unique badging, costs £75,995 plus OTR charges with a 400hp 3.5V6 Toyota engine, six speed gearboxes and 180mph maximum giving 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds and 242 gkm emissions. … [Read more...]
Company car drivers need EV awareness advice
Drivers taking delivery of their first electric company car need guidance and policy from their employer on the public charging options available to them and their cost, says FleetCheck. The fleet software specialist points out that, while most employers are ensuring that staff have some form of charger installed at home, they are often leaving drivers to their own devices when using public … [Read more...]
Car makers are removing safety features
Car makers are removing safety features from models due to the shortage of semi-conductors and this is going to cause issues for fleets and buyers, warn the Association of Fleet Professionals, Fleets should think carefully before buying new company cars that have had safety devices removed from their specification because of the semiconductor shortage, the Association of Fleet Professionals … [Read more...]