Industry

JLR engine contract with Ford Bridgend plant to end in 2020

28 September 2017

Ford Bridgend Engine Plant will lose the JLR engine build contract in three years. The plant has been making V8 and V6 engines for JLR since 1990 when it was part of the Ford Group but continued after purchase of the luxury brands by Tata. Now Ford has said it has told GMB and Unite of the JLR plan and it will “continue to look at other high technology … [Read more...]

Holistic approach to helping motor trade workers

27 September 2017

Ben, the not-for-profit organisation that partners with the automotive industry to provide support for life to its people, has launched a new package for businesses, called Ben4Business. This offering is set to increase awareness about Ben and its services to people working in the industry by partnering with automotive companies. This new approach will, … [Read more...]

Premiere engineering company bought out

27 September 2017

One of Britain's foremost engineering companies in development of high performance transmissions has been bought-out by British private investors fund. Inflexion Private Equity have agreed the buyout of Xtrac Ltd, which supplies most of the world's top motorsport teams in both two and four-wheeled formulae across the globe, from MotoGP to Formula … [Read more...]

Newslines 26 September

26 September 2017

Aston Martin is joining forces with Red Bull Racing on the track. The luxury car maker and F1 team have already collaborated on a very high performance sports car, the Valkyrie (right) and more models will follow, but their future engines are expected to appear in GP as well following the establishment of a Advanced Performance Centre with 110 new jobs at … [Read more...]

Half of Brits expect to drive EVs inside five years

22 September 2017

More than half of British motorists expect their main car to be electric in some form within the next five years, according to a major new survey. The poll of 1,000 car owners was conducted to mark the launch of Total EV – the go-to website for all things EV and hybrid. And the results highlight the incredible pace at which Brits are being switched on … [Read more...]

Newslines 22 September

22 September 2017

A near 50-model range of the new Volvo XC40 will begin arriving in the UK early next year. Their latest SUV will have a wide choice of petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains in two-wheel and 4WD, and pioneer the company’s all-inclusive Care by Volvo rental package within the M25. Chemical company Ineos and its British founder Jim Ratcliffe says he wants … [Read more...]

Clocking cars increases under PCP limits

20 September 2017

The number of cars on UK roads showing mileage discrepancies is costing motorists over £800 million every year according to hpi, one of the UK’s leading authorities on vehicle checking services. The automotive data experts say the number of cars affected has also risen to one in 16. The figure has worsened from one in 20 cars less than three years … [Read more...]

Well to wheel costs of diesel outlined

20 September 2017

A new analysis attacks the “whole life” costs of diesel cars. Transport and Environment has been looking at the well to wheel impact of diesel versus petrol and concludes it is far more polluting than many realise, apart from the exhaust emissions now in the headlines. While used diesel cars are collapsing in value and manufacturers are racing to … [Read more...]

Sapa re-opens Welsh factory

19 September 2017

Three years after it closed, Sapa Bedwas was officially reopened yesterday. The business has won a major contract to supply aluminium chassis parts for the new hybrid Black Cab, being made near Coventry and due to hit the Capital's streets early next year. The workforce in Sapa, Bedwas will be raised to about 130 in a few years and the company is … [Read more...]

Newslines 19 September