Production prototypes rolling off the line at INEOS Automotive’s Hambach plant signal the final stage in the company’s transition from ‘project’ to automotive manufacturer with the new Grenadier. Since acquiring Hambach in January 2021, INEOS has invested over €50m in addition to the €470m invested in 2019 by Mercedes-Benz in an all-new production line. The line now dedicated to the Grenadier … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 February
Pricing and specification for the Mazda2 Hybrid has been announced. Arriving in the UK in May, and available to order now, the Mazda2 Hybrid will be offered across three trim grades: Pure, Agile and Select with prices from £20,300 as a result of a joint venture with Toyota, who will make the car and badge it as a Mazda. Kia UK Limited has won the Feefo ‘Gold Trusted Service’ award for a … [Read more...]
Getting apprentices on the road to their future
Logistics UK – one of the UK’s biggest business groups – is urging its members to take advantage of the apprenticeship schemes available to develop the next generation of talent the industry needs to keep the UK’s supply chains operating effectively. Alex Veitch, Deputy Director – Public Policy at Logistics UK, said, “With more than half of decision makers reporting that apprenticeships and … [Read more...]
Holiday chaos predicted at ports this summer
The government needs to place an urgent focus on arrangements at the nation’s borders if trade and passenger traffic is not to grind to a halt from this summer onwards. As Sarah Laouadi, the organisation’s head of European policy explained after publication of today’s Public Accounts Committee report “EU Exit: UK Border Post transition” that while the logistics sector has made huge strides in … [Read more...]
Car makers more confident of 2022 sales growth
Despite a record-low base of comparison due to the COVID pandemic, sales of new cars continued to decline in the EU last year because of the microchip shortage. With chip supplies expected to stabilise in 2022, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association now forecasts that passenger car registrations in the EU will return to growth this year, rising by 7.9% to reach 10.5 million … [Read more...]
Used Volvos direct from manufacturer
Volvo Car UK has taken a motor industry lead with the launch of the UK’s first online platform for the sale of approved used cars, direct from the manufacturer. Volvo Cars Selekt Direct allows consumers to search for, select and pay for the premium Volvo Selekt approved used car they want in a full, end-to-end service that is both convenient and secure. Designed for ease, speed and pricing … [Read more...]
MG ZS EV range gets newcomer
Hot on the heels of the award winning New MG ZS EV Long Range, the UK’s fastest-growing mainstream car brand has announced further details of the great value New MG ZS EV Standard Range. On-sale now, the ZS EV Standard Range doubles the number of versions in the New MG ZS EV range and offers even greater value to customers, while still offering an extremely useful 198-mile range. Standard … [Read more...]
Unique skills courses aim to deliver for lorry drivers
Government-funded training courses called Skills Bootcamps are available through the Driver Academy Group, a consortium comprising business organisation Logistics UK, HGV training specialist HGVC, and workforce solutions group Manpower. With limited spaces available, the Driver Academy Group is calling on HGV drivers to apply now and is encouraging all businesses to put their drivers forward for … [Read more...]
New Aston Martin DBX707 will boost Welsh plant
A new high performance 193mph Aston Martin DBX will go into production in the company’s St Athan, South Wales plant. The introduction of the new generation luxury SUV will boost work at the plant two years after it opened in December 2019 to make their first SUV. The newcomer builds on the qualities of the original DBX with the 4.0V8 engine boosted to 707ps and 900Nm with upgraded, faster … [Read more...]
JLR loses £9M through semi-conductor shortages
Jaguar Land Rover lost £9m in the last three months of 2021 amid the computer chip shortage. Global sales fall 37.6% compared to a year earlier with just 80,126 vehicles delivered in the quarter to the end of December but despite that fall in production the company saw revenue of £4.7bn, up 22% on the previous quarter. UK car production last year fell to its lowest level since … [Read more...]