The superstars of the FIA World Rally Championship’s ground-breaking new hybrid era will rip the wrapping from the 2022 season at a spectacular year launch in Austria next weekend. For the first time, the WRC’s dramatic new-generation Rally1 cars from the three manufacturer teams will be together in Salzburg’s innovative Hangar-7 museum as the series’ new-look sustainable future is unveiled on … [Read more...]
Industry
Training for a new world of business
The Association of Fleet Professionals has unveiled the new Fleet Academy with an extensive programme of training for 2022. The launch marks the moment when the AFP takes over all professional tuition activities from the Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM). The AFP was formed almost two years ago by uniting the ICFM with the Association of Car Fleet Operators (ACFO). Paul Hollick (right), … [Read more...]
Tap and go transport trial in Wales
London-style tap and go ticketing will be tested on some Welsh bus and train services. Transport for Wales is gearing up to pilot pay-as-you-go ticketing on trains and buses – something the Welsh Conservatives have repeatedly called for. It will mean passengers can tap their bank cards on the barrier gates to travel on trains and buses, similar to the set up in London. Since being elected to … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 January
Pirelli tyres equip the new Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition, the fastest and most powerful version of the first all-electric SUV produced by the Blue Oval. A new technical collaboration between the companies has resulted in a specific Pirelli P Zero tyre, part of a family of Ultra High Performance tyres that offer the right balance between driveability and comfort. Automotive experts … [Read more...]
Mechanics and testers’ shortages hitting motor trade
A Motor Ombudsman poll of garages and workshops accredited to the body’s Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair, has revealed that recruiting a sufficient number of mechanics and MOT testers to meet consumer demand was the most significant concern for 67% of respondents when questioned about the main challenges encountered during 2021. The research conducted by the … [Read more...]
The safest cars you can buy
Euro NCAP kicks off the start of a new year of car safety testing by recognizing the top performers of last year and the winners of the 2021 Best in Class awards. Euro NCAP tested 33 new cars in 2021, of which 22 achieved the top 5-star rating with Skoda finishing holding two top awards, more than any other car maker. Among the successes, the Mercedes-EQ EQS emerged as best in the “Executive … [Read more...]
Ford lead in Wales and buck UK fall
Ford turned its poor UK performance on its head and emerged the top selling car brand in Wales last year. While it struggled in other regions and was knocked down from top to fourth place nationally, in Wales it enjoyed loyalty from its owners and 20 satisfied dealers. The result is the revised Puma was the most popular cross-over registered in Wales in 2021, just outselling the … [Read more...]
One-six-new UK cars will be electric in 2022
At least 330,000 new battery electric vehicles will be registered in the UK in 2022, according to figures from DriveElectric, one of the UK’s leading electric vehicle leasing companies. This figure is based on DriveElectric’s own forecasts, and it represents a significant increase from 183,000 - the number of battery electric vehicles (cars and light vans) expected to have been registered in the … [Read more...]
Welsh buyers shunned new cars last year
Wales was the only part of the UK to record a fall in total car registrations last year, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The car sales body reported 56,935 registrations in Wales in 2021, a drop of 4.46% from 2020 when they reached 59,594 but every other part of the country saw sales rise. Throughout the UK, total figures were 1,647,181 new cars registered in 2021 and that … [Read more...]
Staff are letting down dealers, say buyers
Expectations among car buyers are almost always satisfied by dealers, but customers remain less happy with the quality of dealer staff, research has revealed. The finding comes from a unique deep dive into the experiences of car buyers just revealed by Autovia, Britain's leading publisher of automotive advice and information. Every aspect of the buying experience is examined in Autovia's 'Driver … [Read more...]