The planned European wide ban on petrol and diesel cars is not supported by technical data, said Sigrid de Vries, Secretary General of CLEPA, the association of automotive suppliers. “The steeper the target, without recognition of sustainable renewable fuels, the closer one gets to a de facto ban on the internal combustion engine. Without renewable fuels acknowledged in this law, if you need a … [Read more...]
Industry
Newslines 22 June
Audi will stop introducing new models using petrol and diesel engines from 2026, reports German paper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. The Bavarian daily newspaper has quoted Audi CEO Markus Duesmann comments to labour representatives and top managers last week. Hybrid and PHEV versions will be offered in the Hyundai Tucson N Line range this summer. They offer up to 38 miles on electric power alone and … [Read more...]
EC steel tariffs hitting car industry recovery & jobs, say suppliers
The European Association for Automotive Suppliers is concerned that the European Commission’s proposal to extend the safeguard measure which is restricting steel imports into the EU will hurt the competitiveness of automotive suppliers and put thousands of jobs at risk. Continuing the safeguard measures in a time where steel mills are struggling to meet demand, and prices for steel have reached … [Read more...]
Fleet price rises “almost inevitable” warns supplier
Price rises for a range of popular fleet cars and vans is “almost inevitable” over the next few months, FleetCheck is advising. Andy Kirby, customer success director at FleetCheck, said that a range of factors from rising raw material costs to much slowed production would all create upwards pressure. He said: “Through our sister company, Fleetfind, we help our client base source vehicles, and … [Read more...]
HMRC is out of step with modern cars, say fleets
The Association of Fleet Professionals and the BVRLA have jointly called upon Government to ensure that the Advisory Electricity Rate for electric vehicles is fit-for-purpose. The industry bodies share concerns that the current 4 pence per mile rate, which remains unchanged since 2018, is no longer reflective of real-world conditions, and have written to HMRC to make the following … [Read more...]
Volkswagen Multivan revealed with PHEV version
Volkswagen’s all-new Multivan has a fresh design, more flexible interior, improved connectivity and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid option. The Multivan is the replacement for the current Volkswagen Caravelle, providing customers with up to seven seats and the perfect combination of practicality, comfort, and safety for whatever their needs: from chauffeuring to the daily school run to … [Read more...]
Secrets of the US President’s car
US President Joe Biden has arrived in the UK for the G7 summit chauffeured in his £1.2m Cadillac ‘The Beast’. Joe Biden’s ‘Beast’ has an armoured exterior, layered armoured windows, a top-spec communications system and Kevlar-reinforced tyres and it’s believed also has some secret offensive features to thwart or disable attackers, but how much does all this extra security cost? The cars … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 June
Volkswagen will receive €288 million (£248m) in compensation payments after reaching a settlement with four former executives, including ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn and former Audi boss Rupert Stadler, over the diesel emissions scandal, reports Autocar. The settlement is a major step in the German firm’s attempt to move on from the Dieselgate scandal, in which it admitted using illegal software to … [Read more...]
Skilled EV workforce not keeping pace with new vehicle sales
Latest data from Institute of the Motor Industry reveals a chasm in EV skilled workforce compared to growth in BEV, PHEV and HEV sales. As the latest SMMT data shows that EV sales represent 23% of the new vehicle market in May, analysis by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) reveals that by the end of 2020 only 6.5% of the automotive sector was EV ready. This is just a 1.5% increase on … [Read more...]
Tradelines 8 June
Apple is reportedly pushing ahead with its plans to build and launch an electric car in two years. Media report the technology company has been discussing battery manufacture with a number of potential suppliers but wants its power cells assembled in the US to boost jobs and circumvent any tariff restrictions or duties. As part of ‘Our Road to Tomorrow’, SYNETIQ’s new sustainability … [Read more...]