The withdrawal of the Government’s plug-in hybrid grant will add about £2,500 to models and make them no longer commercially viable for many fleets, said Meridian Vehicle Solutions. It has taken the decision to operate its current plug-in rentals but not add further versions when they are due to be replaced. VW has introduced an old-diesel swapping scheme in Germany where 14 cities are … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 October
Ford will stop vehicle production at its Valencia plant for nine days next month due to falling demand for its Kuga, Mondeo, Galaxy and S-Max models. Engine production will also halt for nearly two weeks and follows a three-day stoppage this month. The first Dyson electric cars will be made in a new factory in Singapore where it makes motors and not in the UK where it has a research and … [Read more...]
Low carbon focus at Welsh event
The Welsh Government and the Welsh Automotive Forum in conjunction with Industry Wales are organising a conference on Low Carbon Intelligent Mobility at the Vale Hotel on 29 November 2018. The Miskin-event hosted by Quentin Willson will provide an overview of how electric vehicles, supporting policies along with manufacturing supply chain opportunities and how they can both contribute to carbon … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 October
Production of the Ford GT supercar will be extended approximately two years, to meet overwhelming customer demand. Ford will re-open the application window to customers in selected markets, including the UK, for one month beginning Nov. 8, delivering approximately 1,350 Ford GTs for customers worldwide. Car makers in the UK said they were “hugely disappointed” by the diplomatic traffic jam … [Read more...]
EVs spark big savings in service
Motorists will get an eco-dividend thanks to lower service and maintenance costs for electric vehicles against their petrol equivalents. A new study from automotive data experts cap hpi shows on average service and maintenance costs are 23% lower for electric vehicles than petrol vehicles over three years and 60,000 miles. The gap widens for smaller vehicles. A Renault Zoe will cost £1,100 … [Read more...]
Changes to EV subsidies will hit consumers, say SMMT
Government’s decision to cut the Plug-in Car Grant will have far-reaching consequences for consumers, the environment and industry, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Reducing the purchase incentives for zero emission cars by a third and completely removing the grant for plug-in hybrids is totally at odds with Government ambition to be the world leader in the take up of ultra … [Read more...]
Diesel sales collapsing across Europe
Disaffection towards diesel engine cars is spreading all over Europe, said the International Energy Agency. The market share of diesel cars in the European Union fell to 36.5 percent in the first half of 2018 from 42.5 percent in the first half of 2017, reported the IEA. Sales declined by 16 percent to 3.12 million units, with Britain sinking to 30 percent. In Germany, home to some of the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 5 October
Toyota will recall 2.43 million hybrid vehicles at home and abroad over a hybrid system issue which can lead to stalling. The recall includes Prius and Auris models produced between October 2008 and November 2014 and includes 55,000 in Britain. … [Read more...]
European car sales crash after emissions cuts’ splurge
Western European car sales dropped 23 percent in September, according to LMC Automotive data, in the wake of a summer discounting splurge. Registrations fell to 1.05 million cars last month from 1.36 million a year earlier, the consulting firm said on Thursday. Its numbers are based on national sales data and estimates for some of the smallest markets. The new Worldwide Harmonised Light … [Read more...]
New car sales plunge 20% in September
The UK new car market fell by -20.5% in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It reported 338,834 vehicles were registered in the month when the new registrations plate came into force, down around 87,000 on the previous year as new testing requirements continue to affect supply and distort the market. The impact was felt across the board, with … [Read more...]