In June 2024, EU car registrations increased by 4.3%, driven by gains in three out of the region’s four major markets: Italy (+15.1%), Germany (+6.1%), and Spain (+2.2%). In contrast, France saw a decline of 4.8% last month but the registrations of BEVs accounted for 14.4% of the EU car market, down from 15.1% the previous year while hybrid-electric vehicles increased their market share, growing … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 July
Kia UK has ranked first place in the latest UK Customer Satisfaction Index from The Institute of Customer Service. With 81.4 points out of 100, Kia was considerably higher than the automotive sector average of 78 points, further highlighting the brand's dedication to providing excellent customer experiences. The average across all UK industry sectors was 75.8 points. New car sales data for the … [Read more...]
First drive: New Kia Sorento pulls towards sales boom
Twenty-one years after its launch the latest Kia Sorento seven seat SUV has been taking design cues from its new all-electric stablemate, the EV9. Unlike the BEV, the Sorento is available in three grades in the UK: ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘4’ with the choice of 190 bhp 2.2-litre diesel, 212 bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged-petrol hybrid (HEV), or a 249bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged-petrol plug-in hybrid (PHEV). The … [Read more...]
Picanto to spice up the UK city car sector
Kia is bucking the trend and staying faithful to the city car sector with the arrival of the latest Picanto. While other manufacturers put the brake on city cars to concentrate on mid-sized models and cross-overs claiming smaller models are unprofitable, the Kia Picanto is about to prove them wrong and make money for the booming Kia brand. In a tightening market the Kia Picanto could loosen … [Read more...]
Labour Welsh Government spent £14M on failed car bid
An attempt to bring TVR sports cars to Wales ended in failure and a bill of £14M, according to official documents released today. Legendary two-seater high performance TVRs were to be built at Rassau Industrial Estate after the manufacturer was bought by a business from the previous owners who saw it collapse in its native Blackpool plant. Originally, the TVR factory was to be the centrepiece of … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Suzuki Swift 1.2 Ultra
The fourth generation Suzuki Swift is already a landmark model, just months after its introduction. While it builds on the success of previous models over the last 40 years and is one of the most capable city cars on sale it is also the last of its kind since Suzuki announced it will step up its battery electric vehicle range and in that will be a model to replace the Swift in a few years. For … [Read more...]
Newcomers 12 July
The sixth generation Honda Prelude was shown in Britain for the first time this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The 2.0 litre petrol electric hybrid sports coupe resurrects the Prelude nameplate which ran from 1978 to 2001 in Britain and the newcomer is expected go on UK sale in Spring 2025, possibly with a four-wheel-drive transmission. Long-distance electric-only journeys are becoming … [Read more...]
Pent up demand about to be unleashed
Six out of 10 car dealers believe the second half of 2024 should improve on the first six months, suggest new findings as the new 74-plate is about to appear in September. July’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 35% believe consumer confidence is improving, 31% that interest rates should fall, 31% that stock supply is improving and 11% that the completion of the general election should … [Read more...]
Tradelines 10 July
INEOS Automotive becomes part of a portfolio of 45 carmakers in the UK that have so far pledged their adherence to The Motor Ombudsman’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute best practice, and to going beyond the standards required by law with regards to the provision of new vehicles and new car warranties. The 4X4 maker’s accreditation under the Vehicle Sales Code covers consumers configuring … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 July
BYD Auto plans to build a US$1bn electric vehicle assembly plant in Turkey to target the domestic and European markets and circumvent EU proposed tariffs which would have pushed up prices by nearly half. The Chinese car maker has already announced a factory it will build in Hungary as it pushes expansion outside its home country and both investments will create thousands of jobs. A rise in … [Read more...]
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