Car components' makers have called for a reasoned debate over future technology, legislation and implementation. The car supplier industry say technology neutrality has been the guiding principle for emission legislation in the transport sector. The EU has continually led the world with respect to automotive CO2 reductions, enabled by European suppliers and manufacturers constantly … [Read more...]
Industry
Monkeys used in diesel engine emissions tests
Monkeys were used in test labs to measure tolerance to diesel emissions, says the New York Times. It reported a Mexican laboratory had been using the animals to support research by a European body looking at health in the transport sector on behalf of some German car makers, but the companies have distanced themselves from the lab tests using monkeys and said they would not condone such tests … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 January
Ford will slim down its model ranges and plans to build more SUVs and crossover models, the company said as it announced last quarter results. Profits pretax fell nearly 20% last year with a 66% decline in the last quarter in Europe, and it’s analyzing what it needs to axe and what it can expand in its range to gain most profitability to catch up with rivals. PSA has indicated it may move … [Read more...]
Aston Martin seeking graduates for St Athan centre
The drive is on for the next generation of engineers to work at Aston Martin St Athan. If you are about to graduate with an Engineering degree and aspire to a career at Aston Martin, Cardiff and Vale College is hosting the iconic luxury British sport car manufacturer for a special recruitment evening on tuesday, 30 January. Aston Martin will be at Cardiff and Vale College’s City Centre … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 January
Ford, BMW, Daimler and VW are working together on future recharging systems for cars. They want to streamline possible connections and offer standards which they hope other ev makers will adhere to by 2020. The eagerly awaited Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV will be shown to dealers and selected high profile customers this summer just before its public unveiling. Sales start end of 2018 and … [Read more...]
Tradelines 24 January
Jaguar Land Rover is scaling back production of some diesel models later this spring. It follows a record year of sales but orders have been hit by a reaction to increased diesel taxes due in April and a general slowdown so Discovery Sport and Evoque will be affected in Q2. Peugeot would move ahead with recovery plans for its Vauxhall plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton after agreeing on … [Read more...]
Row over “safer cars” claim by SMMT
New driver assistance technology is making British roads safer, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - if you're lucky enough to have it fitted. The vehicle makers’ body in the UK says systems to reduce errors and accident severity are “available” on 70% of new cars, but the claim has been attacked by the insurers’ test centre at Thatcham which says 70% still don’t have standard … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 January
Unite union has met PSA over plans for Ellesmere Port Vauxhall plant, which assembles Astra models. Discussions followed a 250 jobs cut announced this month on top of 400 jobs going since last autumn but the company has said it is twice as expensive to run as the French equivalent plants. UK industrialist Sanjeev Gupta is bidding to build electric vehicles in a factory GM Australia closed … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 January
UK drivers are now paying £827 on average for their car insurance, according to Confused.com . The company’s index reveals prices have accelerated by a whopping £60 (+8%) since 2016 (Q4) when premiums were comparatively cheaper at £767 and expects them to exceed £900 by the end of this year. Suzuki will supply a eight V-Strom 1000 marshal bikes for this year’s Welsh Road Race, which takes … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 January
Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port plant must halve its production costs if it is to meet PSA goals, company boss Carlos Tavares has told journalists at Detroit motor show as he prepares to meet UK Government and unions. The new owner of Ellesmere Port and Luton van plants said their French equivalents cost half as much to operate and it has already announced 650 job cuts in the North West and has … [Read more...]