The outbreak of COVID-19 has already impacted the automotive industry significantly, according to JATO Dynamics, a leading provider of global automotive data and insight. Global vehicle sales totalled 5.55 million units in March 2020, down by 39% from March 2019. This represents the largest year-on-year monthly decrease since 1980, when JATO Dynamics started to collect data - even surpassing the … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 April
Russell George AM, the Shadow Minister for Transport, has called on the Welsh Government to provide support to Holyhead Port during the Covid-19 pandemic. While some freight services continue between Wales and Ireland, the reduction in the number of passenger services has led to calls for Welsh Government financial support to fill the gap between a reduced income and the running costs of … [Read more...]
Real world emissions show cleanest cars and vans
New real-world data on vehicle emissions will allow revitalisation of an automotive industry and global economy devastated by the COVID-19 outbreak but with cleaner air and reduced impact on climate change. The AIR Index at airindex.com identifies the cleanest cars to give buyers confidence to switch to cleaner vehicles and restore the automotive industry badly impacted by the pandemic. The … [Read more...]
AM St Athan begin return to work early next month
Aston Martin’s St Athan factory will begin to return to normal later than initially thought and resume DBX suv production on 5 May. Work at the company’s UK headquarters site in Gaydon will begin later in the month. The majority of its employees are currently furloughed and those who continue to be laid off from 1 May will get 80% of their base salaries from next month. It has also announced … [Read more...]
EVs a third cleaner than conventional cars
Environmental group Transport and Environment has developed a tool that compiles all the most up-to-date data on CO2 emissions linked to the use of an electric, diesel or petrol car. It took into account all possible criteria such as the amount of CO2 emitted when electricity is produced or fuel is burnt, as well as the carbon impact of resource extraction for batteries or of building a power … [Read more...]
40M vehicles now used in UK
The number of vehicles registered for use on British roads has surpassed 40 million for the first time, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The UK’s largest automotive analysis reveals that more than 35 million cars and five million commercial vehicles were in use in the UK in 2019, representing a 1.0% increase on the previous year. Light commercial vehicles saw the … [Read more...]
Car makers outline plan for production return
As Europe is grappling with the health, social and economic impacts of COVID-19, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has set out four guiding principles for a successful re-launch of the auto industry, which will be vital to the wider economic recovery of the continent. “It is in Europe’s interest that this key strategic sector not only recovers, but also is revitalised in … [Read more...]
Tradelines 15 April
Ford is preparing for a $600M loss in the first three months of 2020 due to sales slowdown in the shadow of the global coronavirus. It’s already secured credit facilities and has a $30B reserve to cover most eventualities. New service and maintenance procedures at Arval UK have been adapted in a matter of days to keep essential fleets available 24/7 during the coronavirus crisis. Corrine … [Read more...]
North Wales Fire Service shows Musso power
SsangYong Motors UK has partnered with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service to supply three award-winning SsangYong Musso pick-up trucks. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service protect a population of 678,461 people over an area of 2,400 square miles as well as hundreds of thousands of tourists and visitors who come to North Wales every year. Nick Laird, managing director of SsangYong Motors UK, … [Read more...]
Kia XCeed Edition turns new page for spring
Kia is turning up the brightness with its latest addition to the XCeed range. The new XCeed Edition is available in three bold, premium metallic paint finishes, including ‘Blue Flame’, ‘Quantum Yellow’ and ‘Lunar Silver’, all at no extra cost. The XCeed Edition is a new addition to the sporty CUV line-up, and features 18-inch alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, electrically folding, adjustable … [Read more...]