The Transport Committee want to start a national debate about road pricing. Talk on future tolls has been lacking for more than a decade since the then Labour Government’s road pricing plans were abandoned. This is in advance of an inquiry to be formally announced in early 2020, when the Committee will invite views from across the country from drivers and non-drivers alike about the future of … [Read more...]
Industry
Newslines 14 October
The next Nissan Juke will be assembled in its Sunderland plant after a £100M investment. The confirmation came just days after Nissan ended night shifts at the plant which opened in 35 years ago but the future of the Qashqai being built there is uncertain as the car makers wants to study and react to Britain’s Brexit deal. Automotive charity BEN has found that mental health is still one of the … [Read more...]
BMWs score top marks in safety tests
Two BMW’s - the 1 Series and the 3 Series – both achieve a maximum five-star rating in the latest EuroNCAP crash tests. The Jeep Cherokee and the Peugeot 208 settle for four stars apiece. The Peugeot 208 narrowly misses out on a five-star rating, so drops a star compared to the previous-generation vehicle, that offered fewer standard safety technology but was tested against less stringent … [Read more...]
£2 Billion Dyson electric car project stops
The £2-Billion Dyson electric car project is dead. In an email to staff yesterday, Sir James Dyson said it was no longer considered a commercially viable project and the 500 people engaged in developing the car would be relocated. Dyson had been working on his idea for a groundbreaking mass market electric car for over three years and bought a former UK airfield to set up an R&D base and … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 October
South Wales Police are cracking down on illegal off-road motor cycles. Special patrols working with other agencies are targeting known trouble spots but still want residents to help by passing on details of riders, machines, locations and garages where they may be kept together with any video or camcorder footage. More than 880,000 people over 60s in Wales use Welsh Government’s free bus travel … [Read more...]
“Serious” state of nearly-new cars reported
New car discounts and big pre-registrations of technically outdated models have distorted the used car market and it has become what analysts are calling “a serious event” in the trade. The UK used car market has seen a significant shift in pricing in the sub 12-month-old sector. Retail pricing has seen a marked decrease with a 7-percentage point downturn over the same period last year, report … [Read more...]
Mitsubishi new identity revealed
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has officially launched its new Visual Identity to its dealer network with a series of events at its headquarters in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. To ensure its dealers had a fully immersive experience and a comprehensive overview of the look and feel of all aspects of the new VI, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has created a full replica dealership, which showcases every … [Read more...]
Greener cars and vans from bodyshops
The NBRA’s first Greener Bodyshop Awards ceremony will recognise vehicle body repairers in the industry who are committed to reducing their impact on the environment. This will be achieved by implementing measures for pollution and energy reduction”, says Chris Weeks, Director of the National Body Repair Association, the leading trade association for car body repairers in the UK. The event which … [Read more...]
Volvo and Geely to merge combustion engine operations
Volvo Cars and Geely intend to merge their existing combustion engine operations into a stand-alone business in order to establish a new global supplier that will seek to develop next-generation combustion engines and hybrid powertrains. The proposed new business would clear the way for Volvo Cars to focus on the development of its all-electric range of premium cars. Volvo Cars is building an … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 October
Automotive components’ companies in Wales will get a series of meetings on dealing with Brexit issues and paid for by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Customs, Employment and Supply Chain Risk awareness sessions have been secured by the Welsh Automotive Forum in conjunction with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Legendary US brand Harley-Davidson is … [Read more...]