Self-driving and electric vehicles, drone technology, Wi-Fi connectivity, artificial intelligence and more: the world around us is changing fast, and the logistics sector is one area embracing new technologies and solutions quickly. The Freight Transport Association, which has more than 17,000 members nationwide, will be holding a new one-day event, The … [Read more...]
Kia Motors unsurprising success in showrooms
Kia Motors (UK) Limited has once again topped the summer survey of dealer attitudes conducted by the NFDA – the brand came top in the 2017 survey. Asked how highly dealers rated their relationship with the manufacturer Kia scored 9.1 out of 10 to top this year’s summer survey, where the average score was 5.7 Paul Philpott, President and Chief Executive … [Read more...]
Ford and VW look at future alliance
Volkswagen and Ford are pushing ahead with a strategic alliance, beginning with van production, said the German manufacturer. At the weekend, The Sunday Times reported Ford was looking at 24,000 job cuts in Europe and ending S-Max, Galaxy and Mondeo production to stem losses which hit $73 Million in Q2. The US bosses have also said they will concentrate … [Read more...]
Road safety compromised by Gig services, says GMB
Gig economy employers are exposing delivery drivers, riders and the general to unacceptable health and safety risks says GMB GMB, Britain’s general union, has responded to a University College London report suggesting gig economy drivers and riders are at heightened risk of traffic collisions. The report claims the pressures that come with being a … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 August
Swiss authorities have banned some Porsche and Mercedes-Benz models with diesel engines which were found to be giving false emissions readings. The order affects 1.6 diesel MB Vitos, 3.0 diesel Macans and 4.2 diesel Cayennes from today, and those already sold must have retrofitted clean up systems even if they meet the new Euro6 tests. VW owners in … [Read more...]
Welsh new car sales best in Britain
Wales out-performed the rest of Britain and saw a near 10% rise in registrations of new cars in July. Suzuki has pushed two models into the top ten in Wales last month and rising star MG even got into the list with the new ZS compact SUV. Figures from the SMMT show the Ford Fiesta continues to dramatically lead the Welsh sales chart. But Suzuki … [Read more...]
Tradelines 1 August
Canada, the European Union, Japan, Mexico and South Korea met in Geneva to discuss how to respond to threats by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on U.S. imports of autos and car parts. It was not immediately clear what kind of response the countries could be looking at, but they may impose their own tariffs or fight the United States at the … [Read more...]
Motorway services’ double standards for drivers
Commercial vehicle drivers are being treated as second class citizens at motorway service stations. That's the conclusion of the Freight Transport Association responding to a new Transport Focus research paper on improvements made to services for private motorists. According to the research, following investment by the motorway service area operators, … [Read more...]
Tradelines 25 July
Hyundai Motor UK has launched an industry-first online service and repair plan platform which allows customers and dealers to build tailored packages based on driving habits, vehicle age, mileage and usage. Moving away from the traditional ‘fixed price’ service plan options, Hyundai’s innovative new offering will allow customers to access a plan that is … [Read more...]
“Smog thinking” by councils will make emissions worse
Clean Air Zones are unfairly targeting hauliers and pricing trucks off the road and are not the way to reduce emissions, says a coalition of road transport trade bodies. The Road Haulage Association (RHA), British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA), Freight Transport Association (FTA) and National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), are … [Read more...]
