The introduction of an apprenticeship standard for fleet is being investigated by the Association of Fleet Professionals. In response to demand from the members and the wider industry, the organisation has been looking into the process involved in the creation of an apprenticeship standard and is now inviting feedback from across the sector to gauge enthusiasm. Paul Hollick, chair, said, “The … [Read more...]
Bureaucracy adding to car theft misery
New Home Office figures have revealed car thefts are higher than the reported figures but it’s also getting harder for owners to get settlements from their insurers as a new layer of bureaucracy has been added. Analysis by Claims Management & Adjusting indicates car theft victims are frequently waiting more than seven days longer for insurance payouts due to the new National Police Chiefs’ … [Read more...]
EV car sales expected to soar in 2023
Motoring experts at DriveElectric predict a significant rise in EV sales in 2023, after supply issues hindered EV sales growth in 2022. The figure is based on DriveElectric’s own forecasts and is a significant increase from the 267,203 battery electric vehicles registered in the UK in 2022. Mike Potter, CEO at DriveElectric said, “We have seen preference for electric vehicles continue to … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 January: Ford to make big job cuts
A massive jobs cull in Germany and other European countries is expected by the union representing Ford workers. Some positions are expected to be axed in the UK as well while the US car maker transitions towards a fully electric range from 2025, initially slashing over 3,200 jobs in Ford of Europe, and realigning with R&D in America. Bentley Motors announced a recruitment drive creating 200 … [Read more...]
Tradelines 25 January: Make or break year for EVs
It could be a make or break year for smaller ev makers, reports Reuters UK. Tesla's 20% price cut worldwide last week has led to surge in demand from its German factory supplying Europe but at the same time put pressure on main rivals to reduce prices while some ev startups may be unable to match them and risk losing investments and sales, or worst still, seeing them go out of business. The … [Read more...]
Hang on, here’s power from above
A new era for the trolley bus and truck could be around the corner. Hofer powertrain, a development and technology partner of the global automotive industry, unveiled a new megawatt charging concept unlocking a whole new dimension of efficiency compared to the present megawatt charging infrastructure. The approach makes e-trucks long-haul capable while ensuring 100 % fleet availability, takes … [Read more...]
Full autonomy more like assisted driving reality
Fleets should “look beyond” full autonomy at other possible uses of new assisted driver technology, says the Association of Fleet Professionals. Paul Hollick, chair at the industry body, said that it was becoming clear that the promise of entirely self-driving cars was unlikely to materialise in the near future but that other potentially useful – and even transformational – ideas were coming to … [Read more...]
EVs overtake diesels in 2022 UK market
New car registrations continued to improve in December and the market in Britain reached 1.61M, but still the lowest in three decades. The UK new car market recorded its fifth consecutive month of growth in December, with an 18.3% increase to reach 128,462 new registrations, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Hidden in the figures was the fact … [Read more...]
Fleets must deliver greater value than before
Electrification and the impact of the recession look set to be the key fleet issues of 2023, the Association of Fleet Professionals is predicting. Chair Paul Hollick said that that businesses would be looking to fleet managers to deliver more value than ever, especially when it came to cost control and carbon savings. “Next year is going to be a tough one, no question, and there will be … [Read more...]
Plan to save UK Auto must be actioned
The UK automotive industry has urged the government to take rapid action to secure the long-term future of one of the country’s most important assets, while accelerating its decarbonisation. The call comes as the sector finally begins to emerge from the pandemic-induced downturn, with new analysis from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggesting its return to growth could be worth … [Read more...]