Industry

Budget does little for car sales

4 March 2021

The Budget is first aid for the motor industry but will not fix underlying long term ailments, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. “Today’s budget provides some encouragement to an automotive sector hit hard by the pandemic and additional trading costs but it falls short of the support needed to transform the industry and market to … [Read more...]

Van drivers to get electric charging boost at home

3 March 2021

Van drivers who have to take their vehicles home will get financial help fitting rapid charging points for the new generation of vehicles. Logistics UK has welcomed news the Department for Transport’s announcement of a £50 million boost for electric vehicle chargepoints for those in leasehold and rented accommodation, as well as the expansion of the … [Read more...]

Tradelines 3 March

3 March 2021

Sinclair Van Centre Swansea and Anthony Motors Aberystwyth have won top awards from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the UK. The Swansea business was recognised for its sales performance while in Aberystwyth it was praised as the most improved operation in the network of 63 sales outlets and 33 repairers. The price of fuel on the UK’s forecourts rose by … [Read more...]

Ellesmere Port plant future hopes raised

2 March 2021

The parent company of Vauxhall and the British Government have been in talks about the future of Ellesmere Port car assembly plant. Britain is "very hopeful" that a good outcome can be found for the Astra assembly plant and its 1,000 workers, including 300 from Wales. British business minister Kwasi Kwarteng said there had been encouraging signs from PSA … [Read more...]

Newslines 2 March

2 March 2021

Land Rover has launched the powerful Defender V8 as part of a range of enhancements to its unstoppable and award-winning 4x4 family. The new 525HP Defender V8 and flagship Defender V8 Carpathian Edition use engines made at the Ford Bridgend Plant before it shut down last autumn to provide a unique combination of performance and capability, with bespoke … [Read more...]

Welsh plant’s crucial role in Aston Martin plans

25 February 2021

Aston Martin St Athan plant will play a crucial role in the company's recovery and future plans. The luxury car maker will almost double production at St Athan and its Garden, Warwickshire sites this year after working through stock it's held and which has plagued them since its 2018 shares floatation. The British company plans to make 6,000 vehicles this … [Read more...]

Plea for Welsh filling stations

24 February 2021

Welsh Government will be asked to help struggling rural fuel stations. Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association says they are often a hub of a community life, provide more than just fuel and are a village shop or post office. He has already written again to the Chancellor Rishi Sunak calling for an extension to business rates relief in … [Read more...]

Vauxhall Ellesmere Port future balanced

24 February 2021

Media reports suggest Stellantis will decide on the future of its Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant in the next few days. A decision on future investment is imminent, a spokesman for the automaker has told Automotive News Europe. The factory employs about 1,000 workers making Astra cars and about a third of them commute from Wales. Stellantis CEO Carlos … [Read more...]

Lamborghinis making record prices despite lockdowns

23 February 2021

Two of Automobili Lamborghini's most iconic historic cars have been auctioned at record prices. The models sold in RM-Sotheby's Paris auction were a 1971 Miura SV chassis number #4840 and a 1977 Countach LP 400 chassis #1120262. Both cars have had a troubled history, with several mechanical and aesthetic changes over the years. The brand’s … [Read more...]

Newslines 23 February