Industry

Skilled EV workforce not keeping pace with new vehicle sales

9 June 2021

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 … [Read more...]

Tradelines 8 June

9 June 2021

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 … [Read more...]

Wales’s lowest electric vehicle charging grant take-up in UK

7 June 2021

Wales had the lowest uptake for electric car home charging grants, according to figures from the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. The demand for the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme’s (EVHS) in Wales amounted to just 319 grants per 100,000 homes last year. The highest take-up of EVHS, which provides 75% of the cost of installing electric vehicle … [Read more...]

Ford regain top place in Welsh car registrations

4 June 2021

Wales's new car sales rose to 5,246 models last month, according to figures today from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Ford regained its lead in Wales after months of trailing rivals with significant registrations of the Puma SUV closely followed by Britain's most popular small car, the Fiesta. But only two registrations behind the Fiesta … [Read more...]

Slow recovery in new car registrations

4 June 2021

New car sales are slowly picking up after the first full month of showroom openings, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Registrations in May reached 156,737 units, an almost eightfold increase on the same month last year, but down -14.7% on pre-pandemic May 2019, and -13.2% on the 10-year May average. Against a more positive economic … [Read more...]

Vans will have to carry more miles, warn ATS Euromaster

2 June 2021

Fleets will need to keep their new vans in service for longer than planned because of the component shortages affecting vehicle production across the board from cars to heavy trucks. With van production slowed or suspended thanks to lack of microprocessor chips, lack of available product means fleets will not be able to replace vehicles that would normally … [Read more...]

Newslines 1 June

1 June 2021

cinch reports there’s been an unprecedented upsurge in searches for convertibles from ever-optimistic Brit car buyers looking to purchase a car that will allow them to literally feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their face. From 4 January to 26 April, cinch saw a 303% increase in convertible car views, with views steady ever since and last week … [Read more...]

Newslines 28 May

28 May 2021

A unique sports suspension calibration and body styling with distinctive interior trim is available in the new Bentley Bentayga S. It’s the first S trimmed luxury SUV from the British marque and uses the 550ps 4.0V8 turbo-petrol engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox. It reaches 60mph in 4.4seconds and has a 180mph maximum. A split sports exhaust, dark … [Read more...]

Fleets expressing RV concerns over petrol & diesel models

26 May 2021

Customers are already beginning to express residual values fears over buying new diesel or petrol cars and vans thanks to the prospect of rapid electrification, FleetCheck is reporting. Through its sister Fleetfind operation, the fleet software company helps its client base source vehicles, and says that buyers are concerned about the prospects for internal … [Read more...]

Luxury loophole can add value but not cost