Fired Nissan boss and fugitive from justice Carlos Ghosn was set up by directors of the Japanese car company, it is claimed in a media report this week. The National, a Middle East paper which covers Lebanon where Mr Ghosn is now living, claims there is now some evidence to support his claim. According to people familiar with what happened and previously … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 June
A new 170mph Lancia Stratos two-seater sports car will be hand-built in a run of just 25 models by the newly created Manifattura Automobili Torino company. The legendary bespoke rally car of the 1970s will get a modified Ferrari 4.3V8 engine delivering 540bhp and it will be unveiled in the UK at the exclusive Salon Prive event in September at Blenheim … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news 7 June
Although the lockdown measures have eased with some people already back at work, or they should be working from home, some schools in England open for some age groups, most car dealerships ready for business with some car manufacturing plants already producing vehicles even if in limited amounts and sporting events happening again under restrictive measures, … [Read more...]
Bentley cut jobs and JLR get massive Chinese loan
Bentley is cutting about 1,000 jobs, a quarter of its workforce at Crewe, due to a fall in sales for the 101 year old company. It had increased sales last year by 5% to 11,000 models but the pandemic fallout hit them hard and now it’s preparing to offer voluntary redundancy to many before making redundancies. Jaguar Land Rover has entered into agreements … [Read more...]
Welsh car dealers doing better than expected
New car sales have faired better in Wales than the rest of the country this year. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show sales so far this year in Wales amounted to 19,042, some 45.5% below the same five months in 2019 but a smaller dip than England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, however only 685 cars were registered last month about tenth of … [Read more...]
Aston Martin St Athan plant importance grows
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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]
