Britain’s first research project to assess the viability of biomethane in heavy goods vehicles has saved over 1,400 tonnes of well-to-wheel CO2e emissions compared to diesel in a two-year trial. The Dedicated to Gas project deployed 20 Euro VI vehicles running on biomethane to the three fleet operators, in a combination of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG). It was … [Read more...]
Industry
Newslines 15 November
The new Mazda CX30 from £22,895 is the safest family car you can buy, according to the latest Euro NCAP crash tests. It produced a near perfect 99% score for adult occupant protection, slightly better than the MB GLB and Ford Explorer and a star above the new Vauxhall Corsa. Land Rover puts fans inside the New Defender on the set of No Time To Die, the 25th official James Bond film, in a … [Read more...]
Falling out of PHEV or bridging a gap
The issues facing the British car market with the decline in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle sales in the UK this year has been outlined to media by Conor Twomey, General Manager Internal Communications and Government Affairs for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. Mitsubishi with their Outlander PHEV more or less pioneered the launch of the PHEV market quickly becoming not only the best selling model … [Read more...]
Tradelines 13 November
Nissan profits have collapsed by 70% in three months. It made $278M to the end of September with retail sales down 7.5% globally, European registrations slid 23% but sales showed a steadying picture in America. JLR is looking for partners to share new technology and other costs, say media reports. BMW and Zhejiang Geely are mentioned but others may be approached to assist market improvements in … [Read more...]
£60 added to average premiums by comparison sites, claim
A new report sheds light on the practices price comparison websites are implementing to persuade vulnerable young drivers to part with their hard-earned cash - when they already pay 149% more than national average on their insurance. Earlier this month the Financial Conduct Authority released an assessment of the insurance industry, which lifted the lid on loyalty penalties, revealing insurers … [Read more...]
Iron Horse pulls hefty price tag
A 90-year-old motorcycle is the inspiration for the Ariel ACE Iron Horse two-wheeler. Inspired by the Black Ariels from the late 1920s, the Crewkerne company now known for its lightweight road and track cars has crated the polished aluminium framed Iron Horse with 172bhp 1200cc V4 Honda engine and shaft drive for just under £29,700. … [Read more...]
Transport for Wails, say critics
South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies, has blasted Transport for Wales after another day of chaos for commuters on the country’s rail network. Welsh media has reported services in South Wales and North Wales have been hit by a series of cancellations and passengers are complaining across several areas about a lack of coaches and trains not running on time on monday. Commenting on the … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 November
Volkswagen is breaking new ground with a concept for an electric estate car to be shown at the Los Angeles motor show the end of this week. The ID Space Vizzion is their latest proposal for a new model after a future EV hatchback was unveiled in the autumn. Jaguar Land Rover’s decision to shut down assembly plants last week to ease any Brexit issues with components and stocks will cost the UK … [Read more...]
AM DBX luxury to cost from £158,000
The Aston Martin DBX being built in Wales will cost £158,000 when order books open next week. It's globally unveiled in Beijing, China on 20 November and built in a multi-million pound new factory completed earlier this year at St Athan. The decision to use a bespoke chassis allowed Aston Martin’s design team – led by Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman … [Read more...]
North Wales hit by rising van thefts
Van thefts in North Wales have doubled in 12 months but fallen by 75% in South East Wales. CV theft across the UK has soared by 45% over the last four years with 30,000 vehicles stolen since 2015, according to research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. A total of 32,056 vans have been stolen over the last four years with almost 10,000 thefts recorded across the UK in the last year alone, … [Read more...]