Industry

MG India plant to open in two years

3 July 2017

The Chinese owners of MG who closed the Longbridge finishing facility last year have confirmed they plan to import new cars to Europe in 2019. SAIC Motor, China's largest automaker by sales volume, will set up its first car manufacturing plant in India as Chinese carmakers push into overseas markets. The automaker will bring its MG brand to India and … [Read more...]

Computer says…. “no go”

2 July 2017

Technology could halve unexpected breakdowns by 2020 according to telematics expert In-car Cleverness, as data increasingly helps drivers identify malfunctions before they occur. Harnessing this data would slash repair bills by £1.3 billion annually, as the one in four vehicles which breakdown annually could be inspected before they fail. Curtailing … [Read more...]

Newslines 1 July

1 July 2017

To celebrate the 60th birthday of the iconic Fiat 500 a new special series, the Fiat 500 Anniversario, will be available to order from today. Available in two exclusive new colours, Riviera Green and Sicilia Orange with the 1.2-litre 69hp petrol engine, as both a hatchback and a convertible, they cost from £14,265. Ford Bridgend Engine plant helped … [Read more...]

Tradelines 28 June

28 June 2017

The government’s commitment to securing existing duty free access to UK markets for 48 of the world’s developing nations will ensure that British manufacturers and retailers can continue to trade efficiently and profitably, according to the Freight Transport Association. The association says that these agreements should ensure that the price of household … [Read more...]

European sales rise but diesel feels the heat

27 June 2017

Amid rising car sales across Europe, diesel is declining and hybrid and electric vehicles are catching up. ACEA has published its Economic and Market Report for the first quarter of 2017, with the latest figures on the economy as well as registrations, production and trade of cars and commercial vehicles. This 31-page Economic and Market Report contains … [Read more...]

Newslines 27 June

27 June 2017

Jaguar is introducing an efficient and powerful new 300PS Ingenium petrol engine to the XE and XF saloons and F-PACE performance SUV models. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine produces 400Nm of torque for exceptional acceleration, with low fuel consumption and emissions. Nine years on after 16 deaths and180 injuries, Takata has filed … [Read more...]

Newslines 26 June

26 June 2017

Lotus sports cars will be assembled in China, a dramatic turnaround plan revealed. The Norfolk business with about 1,000 UK staff was sold as part of its Proton parent to Geely Holdings, who also own Volvo and London Black Cab taxi makers, but it’s not known what will happen to the existing Hethel plant. Volkswagen Group has agreed to buy back some … [Read more...]

New car data is personal and protected, says FIA

25 June 2017

Early results from a new study commissioned by FIA states that most car data can be linked to a user and, therefore, should be treated as personal data. The study examined how existing and upcoming EU legislation on data protection and liability could apply to vehicle data. It clearly dismisses the attempts to categorise data according to its … [Read more...]

Car makers want reverse from Brexit cliff-edge

21 June 2017

The UK automotive industry has called on government to seek an interim arrangement with the EU that would maintain membership of the single market and customs union until a final agreement on a new relationship with the EU is negotiated and implemented. The sector accepts that the UK will leave the EU and fully supports a bespoke and comprehensive … [Read more...]

Renault-Nissan heading for World No1