British car manufacturing output fell by more than a fifth in the first half of 2019, with a 15.2% decline in June marking the 13th consecutive month of negative growth, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 666,521 cars rolled off production lines in the first six months, a year-on-year loss of 168,052 units due largely to falling demand in key markets, including the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 31 July
Vauxhall’s senior boss has said the Ellesmere Plant may be shut, axing hundreds of jobs for workers in North East Wales. Parent PSA boss Carlos Tavares said the cost of making Astra cars there may be prohibitive after Brexit and another European plant could take over their manufacture in Russelsheim, Germany from 2021. The Ford Ka+ is being killed off for Europe, dealers have been told, … [Read more...]
On sale date announced for Aston Martin DBX
Orders for the Welsh built Aston Martin DBX open next month at the globally important Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, California. The luxury car maker has received a steady stream of enquiries since it announced the car, which will be assembled at St Athan’s new car plant. In fact, pre-production models have already been completed as part of the training process for hundreds of local people … [Read more...]
Charging, range and costs are keys to starting ev drive
Ease of charging, distance travelled on one charge and saving money are the top considerations for drivers when it comes to buying an electric car. In a national Opinium survey of 2,000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap, a leading supplier of Guaranteed Asset Protection insurance for new and second-hand cars, four-fifths of drivers answered what would make them more likely to buy an … [Read more...]
EV model ranges to triple over three years
The number of electric car models on the UK market could more than triple within the next three years, new analysis shows. After several years of timid growth, carmakers will be offering 214 electric models across Europe in 2021 – up from the 60 available, officially at least, at the end of 2018. Transport & Environment (T&E), which publishes the analysis today using data from … [Read more...]
EV trial results hold some surprises
DriveElectric, an electric vehicle specialist with over 20 years of leasing and electric vehicle experience, is celebrating the breadth of valuable learning gained about smart charging, and in particular the behaviours of EV drivers, from its involvement in the Electric Nation trial. The trial took place in Western Power Distribution network areas in the Midlands, South West and South … [Read more...]
Trade bodies rally to soften impact of any Brexit deal
It is extremely positive to be part of the Alliance of European Car Dealers and Repairers to collectively represent the interests of members alongside a number of European associations, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association, which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK. Promoting the interests of European car dealers and … [Read more...]
New Tesla Model 3 is safest EV on the road
The new Tesla Model 3 is the safest electric family car you can buy, according to destruction testing by Euro NCAP engineers. The Tesla Model 3 debuted with a perfect five-star score in the frontal offset deformable barrier crash test, a mainstay of Euro NCAP’s assessment since its inception in 1997. It recorded 96% for adult occupant protection, 86% for child occupant protection and 74% for … [Read more...]
New car market collapse concerning, say experts
UK new car registrations declined for a fourth consecutive month in June, with year-on-year demand falling by -4.9% to 223,421 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 1,269,245 new cars joined British roads in the first half of the year, down -3.4% as ongoing confusion over low emission zones and diesel, the removal of key ultra low emission vehicle … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Kia e-Niro first drive
Some manufactures already offer various solutions to meet owner’s practical needs in being able to make those longer trips at-will yet reduce the CO2 emissions their vehicles emit, writes David Miles. Take as an example Kia, the South Korean brand, which has become hugely popular in the UK with annual sales edging towards 100,000-units. Their vast range of petrol, diesel electric, hybrid and … [Read more...]