More than half of van drivers admitted to making calls behind the wheel without using a hands-free device, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Van drivers spend an average of 35 minutes on the phone each day in their vehicles, making an average of seven calls a day and one in 10 spend two hours on the phone while driving. Mercedes-Benz is relanching its prestige Maybach … [Read more...]
Ford Bridgend Engine plant shortlisted for new vehicle
Ford Bridgend Engine plant has been shortlisted to assemble the planned Ineos successor to the famed LR Defender. The Welsh location is lining up against a plant in Portugal, the CEO of Ineos Automotive Dirk Heilmann has confirmed after bosses of the UK chemical company visited South Wales and looked around the Ford plant along with Welsh Government representatives. Ineos plan to … [Read more...]
Now 225ps Fiesta ST upgrade
The new Ford Fiesta ST is the target of mountune’s latest upgrade. The m225 package for the Mk 8 Fiesta ST provides significant increases to both power and torque, without compromising the vehicle’s safety or reliability. The new upgrade is being launched alongside the innovative mTune SMARTflash app, which allows users to install and update vehicle calibrations in minutes from … [Read more...]
Minister meets the motor industry in Wales
Wales Economy Minister Ken Skates met key players from the automotive industry affected by the recent Honda announcement to discuss how Welsh Government can best support the industry as they navigate challenges associated with Brexit and rapidly changing technologies. With Honda’s decision to close its Swindon facility affecting some 2,000 supply jobs in Wales, and other manufacturers such as … [Read more...]
Book in for the Big Garage Event
Automechanika Birmingham 2019 is giving independent garages a boost by announcing the launch of its new Big UK Garage Event at this summer’s show, providing more benefits to thousands of garages planning to visit. With its garage audience annually growing , the aim of this year’s event in June is to build on the success of the launch of the dedicated hall for garages introduced in 2018, which … [Read more...]
Motor industry dispels myths on road to Brexit
As the clock ticks towards a deadline for Brexit, the UK automotive industry outlines its views on ‘no deal’ impact, as Parliament debates the meaningful vote. Many commentators and politicians cite the automotive industry in Brexit discussions so, as Parliament debates the meaningful vote, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has published a clear rebuttal of some of the many … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 March
The forthcoming Aston Martin DBX going into production in Wales later this year has been undergoing cold-weather testing in Sweden's arctic circle. Pirelli’s R&D Sottozero Centre at the Flurheden Proving Ground provides a range of extreme environments, from snowy roads to ice handling courses, allowing Aston Martin’s vehicle dynamics specialists – led by Aston Martin Chief Engineer Matt … [Read more...]
Independent Air Index will clear confusion
The smog surrounding car emissions starts to clear with the launch of the AIR Index an international, independent and standardised rating system that reveals accurately how much pollution a vehicle produces when it is used in towns and cities. The slump in diesel car sales shows that car buyers across the world are confused about petrol and diesel emissions following Dieselgate, but until now … [Read more...]
Technology’s ticking time-bomb in trade
A new technology time-bomb is ticking in the used car trade. Rapidly changing vehicle technology means that the remarketing sector is going to have to undergo an unprecedented period of upskilling over the next decade, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation – which represent companies that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 million used vehicles … [Read more...]
Tradelines 6 March
A proposed ban on commercial vehicles using tyres over ten years old has attracted qualified support from the Freight Tansport Association. It says many member fleets would need tyres replacing inside a decade but some very low mileage vehicles should be exempt from the ban. About 79M cars were sold worldwide in 2018, say the manufacturers. There was a noticeable drop in Chinese … [Read more...]