Ford is looking at “high technology opportunities” for the future of its Bridgend plant, the company said today. It was responding to media reports that it’s in talks with petro-chemical, oil and gas company Ineos over its plans to build a modern version of the Land Rover Defender. Ford will continue to build its own engines in plant and this week started assembly of the new Dragon EcoBoost … [Read more...]
Water is fuel for thought and going green
Australian-Israeli startup Electriq~Global has developed a fuel that is safe, cheap and clean. Comprised of 60% water, Electriq's revolutionary technology extracts hydrogen from the water based fuel, which is then harnessed to create electricity to power the vehicle. The Electriq~Global (www.Electriq.com, formerly known as Terragenic) system contains three key elements: the liquid fuel … [Read more...]
Green motoring gets red card from drivers
Almost three quarters (71%) of UK motorists say affordability is a main consideration when purchasing a new vehicle, according to the Britain Under the Bonnet report from Close Brothers Motor Finance. A further 56% care about how economical a vehicle is to run, showing additional interest in cost. Other key attributes include fuel type (55%), engine size (49%), and number of doors … [Read more...]
Tradelines 31 October
An additional £7.5m to help Welsh businesses including the automotive sector build resilience in order to cope with the challenges of Brexit was announced by Economy Secretary, Ken Skates. The £7.5m, which is part of the Welsh Government’s £50m EU Transition Fund, will be used over the next three years to help companies develop the new expertise and processes they will need in order to thrive, … [Read more...]
Trick and treat claims over Budget review
There have been very mixed reactions to yesterday's Government spending review. The BVRLA has welcomed the Government’s decision to conduct an urgent review into the impact of WLTP on Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax. In today’s Budget it was announced that the review would report back in time for the Chancellor’s 2019 Spring Statement. Commenting on the news, BVRLA Chief Executive … [Read more...]
Dragon takes first breathes in Wales
Production has begun of an all-new, technologically-advanced, Dragon petrol engine at the Ford Bridgend plant. The three-cylinder, 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine, which debuts in the Fiesta ST and all-new Focus, is built on a new, state-of-the-art flexible manufacturing facility following of an investment of £100 million, including support from the Welsh Government. “I’m personally very proud to … [Read more...]
Newslines 30 October
The new Mercedes-Benz GLE is available to order with prices starting from £55,685 for the GLE 300 d 4MATIC and from £62,300 for the GLE 450 4MATIC when deliveries begin in the spring. The new GLE features a seven-seat configuration for the first time; the latest generation of the MBUX multimedia system; two 12.3-inch display screens; MBUX Interior Assistant; Nappa Leather; Blind Spot Assist; … [Read more...]
JLR lines idled in Bridgend plant
The Jaguar Land Rover petrol line in Ford Bridgend Engine Plant will temporarily suspend work this week. Ford opened the Bridgend Engine Plant to build its own petrol units in 1980 and won the JLR engines contract a decade later. Earlier this year (above) it celebrated making the millionth V6 and V8 engines for the premium brand, but the programme will conclude by 2020 and then BEP will … [Read more...]
Used prices rising as new cars stall
Nearly new car prices are escalating in the wake of a shortage of new cars due to tougher emissions tests in factories. Prices in the used vehicle sector are being artificially inflated post-WLTP as competition hots up amongst buyers for nearly new and ex-fleet stock according to Shoreham Vehicle Auctions. And they are likely to stay this way until Spring 2019 as the used car market … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 October
Priority for proper road repairs should precede building new highways, said Welsh Assembly members. It comes after the Welsh Assembly's economy, infrastructure and skills committee launched a photo competition to highlight the state of the roads and a resident from Wrexham submitted the worst example along the A525. Jaguar Land Rover and unions have agreed to delay pay negotiations in … [Read more...]