UK car production fell by -15.3% in February, with 123,203 units manufactured, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Declining demand in the UK and in key European and Asian export markets resulted in output falling for the ninth consecutive month. Production for home and export markets dropped year-on-year by -11.0% and -16.4% respectively. Year-to-date, overall … [Read more...]
Industry
Welsh councils must be more ambitious with travel schemes
Welsh councils must be more radical and ambitious implementing active travel, they were told yesterday by Transport Deputy Minister Lee Waters. Speaking at a workshop in Cardiff, Lee Waters warned authorities that the latest round of funding will reward ambitious ideas rather than be based solely on geographical spread, and he pledged to support those councils who need help in improving their … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 March
ŠKODA’s dynamic SportLine series will expand with the introduction of an Octavia variant with two engine options and an automatic box. Featuring a dramatic black design package and a fully loaded specification list, the new Octavia SportLine is the latest addition priced from £23,870. A tuned 300PS 2.0 litre engine and quattro grip underpin the new Audi SQ2. It accelerates from … [Read more...]
Pull the plug on plug-in hybrids, say green group
"Fake" electric cars should be banned, says green group Transport & Environment. On the day the European Parliament rubber-stamps stricter CO2 limits for new cars and vans, Transport & Environment warns that carmakers can exploit loopholes in the regulation to push sales of fake plug-in cars over electric vehicles with no tailpipe emissions. As the rules on crediting EV sales leave … [Read more...]
What Brexit means to Welsh automotive businesses
Welsh Government and the Welsh Automotive Forum have been looking at the implications of a no-deal Brexit and produced guidance notes for businesses. UK import tariffs in a no-deal scenario - The Government has published details of the UK’s temporary tariff regime for no deal. The regime would be temporary, and the Government would closely monitor the effects of the tariffs on the UK … [Read more...]
Role of HGVs is given light thought by Government
The primary role of the lorry in urban freight has been ignored once again in a major policy publication, says FTA, the organisation which speaks for the logistics sector, following publication of the Department for Transport’s 'Future of mobility: urban strategy' paper. According to Christopher Snelling, FTA’s Head of UK Policy, the document fails to make a single substantive mention of HGVs, … [Read more...]
Tradelines 27 March
Pre-registration for Automechanika Birmingham 2019 is up 21% on the same time last year. The industry’s leading trade exhibition, taking place from 4 to 6 June at the NEC Birmingham will see the launch of many new points of interest covering all aspects of the automotive industry, including The Big UK Garage Event, Aftermarket Innovation Showcase, Commercial Vehicle Showcase, Garage Equipment … [Read more...]
Karl is king of Euro Commercials and MB Vans
Cardiff-based commercial vehicle service manager Karl Hadley has won a prestigious trophy from Mercedes-Benz Vans, in recognition of his exemplary customer service. Karl, who is a key member of the aftersales team at South Wales Dealer Euro Commercials, stepped up to collect the Keeping Businesses Moving Award at the manufacturer’s annual Van Stars celebration of excellence within its … [Read more...]
Boost for smaller “green” automotive companies
Small and Medium Enterprises involved in development of low carbon technologies have secured long-term orders annually worth up to £1.5 million by exhibiting on a UK Government Pavilion managed by the Advanced Propulsion Centre. “Building strong international relationships has perhaps never been more important to the UK automotive industry and the UK Pavilions are playing a pivotal … [Read more...]
New blow for car makers in WLTP tests
The European Commission has tightened the WLTP test for new cars after indications automakers were 'gaming' their results. It may also demand manufacturers retest cars already signed off, leading to confusion in showrooms and where emissions figures are used by Governments to assess tax levels. The updated regulation, which came into force in February, requires automakers to switch on all … [Read more...]