A new European specific Kia Sportage will be unveiled at the German Motor Show this week and in UK showrooms next spring. A new plug-in hybrid variant will be in the line up when it comes to Britain next year and it features a curved screen for instruments and features to be displayed to the driver. Hagerty research suggests Government information on the latest E10 petrol compatibility with … [Read more...]
New Vauxhall Astra orders open this autumn
The forthcoming eighth generation Vauxhall Astra will be available with petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains when they get into dealerships early next year and a fully electric model will arrive in 2023. A Sport Tourer will go on sale in about 12 months time as Vauxhall ramp up their offensive and work towards a fully electric line up of all models by 2028. … [Read more...]
Car stock shortages looming, warn finance lender
Stock shortages emerge as the biggest worry for dealers in the year ahead, according to new research from Close Brothers Motor Finance. The Dealer Satisfaction Survey found that almost a third (31%) of motor dealers see the lack of stock availability as the biggest threat to their business, with the global semiconductor shortage having a significant ripple effect on the motor industry. Despite … [Read more...]
Chinese electric vans heading to UK next year
Two Chinese electric van brands will go on sale in Britain early next year with five year warranties. DFSK and Skywell models will be imported by Innovation Automotive, based in the Cotswolds, and CEO is Paul Brigden, formerly Operations Director of Mitsubishi Motors UK headquartered in Cirencester. The vehicles will be imported through Portbury, Bristol docks but the number of jobs being … [Read more...]
EU car sales slow but UK CV production rises
According to data from 26 European markets, new car registrations slowed in July, recording a year-on-year decline of 24% as total volume decreased from 1.27 million units to 967,830. Similar results were recorded in July 2012, when the market registered 966,090 units. The year-to-date results remain positive, up by 17% compared to 2020 with 7,381,735 units registered, but down by 24% when … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 August
Sarn Park Services are the best on the M4, according to accumulated views of users analysed by the Brindley motoring group. It studied over 100 motorway services on 29 routes and Tebay on the M6 came out best, Telford M54 was the worst while the M5 generally raised most complaints. UK car manufacturing fell 37.6% in July, the first fall since February, with just 53,438 units made, and worst in … [Read more...]
Vauxhall and VW looking to dominate EV sales this year
Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz have all spotted the risk Tesla and other EV-based manufacturers have on the dominance in the sector and will all end 2021 with upwards of four models. But according to motor dealer Peter Vardy, it’s Vauxhall and Volkswagen that are currently the most eager for dominance in the EV market in 2021. Volkswagen is set to rival Tesla with 6 EV models available by the end … [Read more...]
Transport sector is suffering effects of ‘long covid’ bureucracy
The government is under further pressure to alleviate Britain's lorry driver shortage. Groups have told Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng there's an impact on supply chains and want a review of plans not to grant temporary work visas to drivers from the EU, and better training as pressure builds towards the Christmas period. Ministers have previously said employers should invest in … [Read more...]
Electric vehicle incentives woo Chinese & Brits
China has halved EV prices in a decade but they’re still rising in Britain, Europe and the US. JATO Dynamics shares its latest report on the evolution of the electric vehicle (EV) markets in China, the US and Europe. ‘EVs – A pricing challenge’’ includes JATO’s industry-leading data and insights, exploring EV pricing over the past 10 years, alongside the impact of government incentives on the … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 August
Proposals for a new business park adjacent to Cardiff Airport on Model Farm, Rhoose approved by Vale of Glamorgan Council have been criticised by local residents. Vale Communities Unite say the project advanced by insurers Legal and General will increase traffic on local roads and goes against Welsh Government announcements to combat climate change after it has just put up for sale the nearby St … [Read more...]