Jaguar Land Rover is facing assembly problems at its plants in September. No Land Rover Discovery, Evoque and Velar models will be built through September due to parts shortages but some production continues with the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Defender. Jaguar XE, XF and F-Pace models are also on stop but F-Type will still be assembled. Ironically, its only full electric model, the … [Read more...]
Toyota reveal hydrogen powered GR Yaris at WRC
Toyota President Akio Toyoda, aka “Morizo” drove the GR Yaris H2―a special hydrogen-engine version of the Toyota GR Yaris―in a demonstration run during Rally Belgium, the ninth round of the World Rally Championship last weekend. It was the first time Toyota had shown an under-development hydrogen-engine vehicle on public roads outside Japan. … [Read more...]
Damning skills shortage must be addressed, says IMI
The IMI predicts a 160,000 shortfall of workers in the UK automotive sector by 2031 based on figures from its Automotive Sector Employment report. "We’re trying to turn the tide. We’re lobbying government, the automotive industry and the education sector to invest in addressing the shortage of qualified EV technicians, and the majority have stepped up to the challenge. But our latest report … [Read more...]
Fleets see savings in EVs
Cost advantages and lower environmental impact head the list of reasons why UK businesses are electrifying their company cars, suggests research from the latest Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer. The factors mentioned by fleet and mobility decision makers in the research were topped by reduced fuel expenses (66% of those questioned – up from 54% in 2021) and, in second place, tax incentives … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 August
The Swedish electric performance car company Polestar confirmed plans to put their electric roadster concept into production. The production car is expected to launch in 2026 as the Polestar 6 electric performance roadster and interested customers can now reserve a car online. Latest research shows that an increasing number of young Brits are bracing themselves for the huge … [Read more...]
Motorists cannot sniff at thunder fever
The unusual weather this summer is causing issues for drivers that could result in fines or penalty points – adding to the mounting cost of living expenses. This week alone has seen warnings from medical experts about ‘thunder fever’ – a rare weather phenomenon that makes hay fever and asthma much worse with a combination of thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts across the country. It happens … [Read more...]
Inflation puts brakes on ev models
Rising inflation and cost of living will put the brakes on car sales, particularly electric models, says Close Brothers Motor Finance. It will also slow down the UK Government’s drive towards greener policies for other products and services, according to Lisa Watson, Director of Sales at Close Brothers. The cost-of-living crisis is having a hugely damaging impact on people’s lives, and … [Read more...]
Government unveil £100M plan for autonomous cars
UK roads could see self-driving vehicles rolled out by 2025 under Government plans backed by £100 million spending which prioritise safety through new laws and create thousands of new jobs in the industry. Some vehicles, including cars, coaches and lorries, with self-driving features could be operating on motorways in the next year, and today’s (August 19) plans set out new legislation which … [Read more...]
Tradelines 17 August
Van insurance has increased 13.6% in the first half of 2022 for new business customers – with the more recent price jumps attributed to spiralling inflation. In the UK, the average quoted cost of van insurance is now £1,156 and all age groups have recorded double-digit increases to their motor insurance policies since the start of the year. A warning has gone out over a caller pretending to be … [Read more...]
EVs to become dominant in three years
Electric models will dominate fleets in three years, managers have told researchers for Arval Mobility. Just half (50%) of vans and a little over a quarter (28%) of UK company cars are predicted to be using petrol or diesel power alone by 2025, research from the latest Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows. Fleet and mobility decision makers were asked, “What percentage of your fleet will … [Read more...]