Aston Martin Lagonda’s Welsh plant will play an increasingly important part in the company’s “reset plan” to boost sales around the world. The luxury car maker has seen a steep collapse in its sports cars sales and introduced new management as it prepares to roll out production of its DBX SUV at St Athan in coming weeks. Today it announced 500 job cuts across the business, but mostly at Gaydon … [Read more...]
Ford Puma gets added models
Ford has further expanded the new Puma range with additional powertrain and equipment level options – offering the most comprehensive line-up yet for the SUV-inspired compact crossover. Customers can now for the first time choose from Puma models equipped with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and a luxurious new Puma ST-Line X Vignale variant from £25,240 from the end of this … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 June
Cyclists in Wales have been told they can ride up to 40 miles to exercise, compared to five miles by motorists. Welsh Government has said this is a reasonable move but it’s attracted criticism because some other exercise like playing tennis, where players are more than two metres apart, is still banned. Knox Road, Cardiff, opposite the city’s prison, is the least safe car park in Wales and the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road & in the news 30 May
Although the lockdown measures are easing it will take time for the wheels of society to return to something like normal life, writes David Miles. But from tomorrow, after the bank holiday week, English schools for certain age groups will open where they can and more employees should be returning to work and that includes the motoring industry. So hopefully it won’t be too long before we get back … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 May
British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak will rescue companies seen as strategically important on a “last resort” basis after other options run out. The Treasury told Reuters late on Sunday it may try to save those companies whose failure will “disproportionately harm the economy” and that could include Jaguar Land Rover which has been reported as seeking massive assistance to offset losses due to … [Read more...]
Car makers move to save extinction
CEOs from across the automotive value chain came together for a meeting with the European Commission to align on the priorities for a solid recovery plan for the automotive sector, with a view to stimulating the wider economy and bolstering the transformation to a carbon-neutral society. CEOs of vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers, as well as their respective associations – the European … [Read more...]
Tradelines 20 May
The French Government has reiterated it will only assist car makers coping with the pandemic fallout if they are producing and promoting low carbon polluting models. The big boost to electric vehicles is designed to be supported by a new scrappage scheme and replacement with evs. The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, urging … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news 17 May
Another week has gone by and here I am still keeping calm and carrying on despite very mixed messages from our Government about what we can or should do during now it appears slightly relaxed semi lock-down period, says David Miles. But no longer is it the same rules in each of our four domestic countries, so that's really clear. With no sign of new models to road test or press launch events … [Read more...]
Finance company develops “sofa showroom”
Close Brothers Motor Finance has bolstered its Showroom proposal platform by giving motor dealers the opportunity to bring the showroom directly to their customer’s home with remote quote and apply. The enhanced functionality to the Showroom platform will enable dealers to email vehicle quotes directly to the customer following initial discussions around the vehicle and finance options. … [Read more...]
Virtual business as usual for Mitsubishi
Physical showrooms may be closed but it’s virtual business as usual at Mitsubishi Motors where customers are still able to purchase a new vehicle using the Mitsubishi Buy Online facility. Not only can customers browse the model range and specify the exact Mitsubishi vehicle they would like, they can also trade their current vehicle in and arrange finance all from the comfort and safety of their … [Read more...]