The company car still rules the road for incentives. When looking to find fresh talent, it seems that company cars are still the best bet for businesses, according to new research by OSV. It shows 49% of interviewees would even consider accepting a job that didn’t otherwise appeal, if a car that they couldn’t afford privately came as part of the package. In spite of this, more than half … [Read more...]
Smart meters for “thinking” electric car owners
Energy Minister Claire Perry has hailed OVO Energy for its “innovative” electric vehicle products - enabled by smart meters - which could see millions save and even make money from their electric cars. OVO Energy is one of just a few companies already using smart meters to offer innovative products, such as rewarding customers for charging their electric vehicles at off-peak times. These … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 August
Swiss authorities have banned some Porsche and Mercedes-Benz models with diesel engines which were found to be giving false emissions readings. The order affects 1.6 diesel MB Vitos, 3.0 diesel Macans and 4.2 diesel Cayennes from today, and those already sold must have retrofitted clean up systems even if they meet the new Euro6 tests. VW owners in Germany who do not get their diesel … [Read more...]
First drive: New MG3 is safe and sound
Having been through many periods of ownership, including BMC and British Leyland, today MG is in the hands of SAIC, China’s largest car manufacturer, writes David Miles. They sold 6.9-million new cars last year globally, 3.52-million in the first six months of this year, and MG is now the global brand for SAIC outside China and for the domestic market their brand of different models is … [Read more...]
Massive fines looming for car makers in EU
Car makers are facing the prospect of massive fines if they fail to meet tough new average emissions targets set in the EU. Automakers failing to meet 2021 fleet CO2 emissions compliance, could be fined more than €14 billion in 2021, based on new analysis from business information provider IHS Markit. Legislators in the European Union (EU) are imposing a new passenger car fleet CO2emissions … [Read more...]
A new age of the car is beginning the transformation
Electric vehicles will transform the automotive industry over the next five years, says GlobalData. The electric vehicle is one of four themes, along with the connected car, autonomous driving technology and transport-as-a-service, that is disrupting the legacy automotive industry, said the data and analytics company. The company’s latest report ‘Electric vehicles - Thematic Research’ states … [Read more...]
Fleet numbers will grow, predict Arval
Despite uncertain conditions, a net 20% of businesses believe that the number of vehicles they operate will grow in the next three years, according to new research by Arval. The figure – which shows those companies predicting an increase minus those who foresee a decrease - is virtually identical to last year when a net 21% of fleets said that they were optimistic about growth prospects. The … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 August
BMW is recalling about 324,000 diesel vehicles in Europe to fix a technical fault that has caused engine fires in South Korea. A faulty exhaust gas recirculation module in BMW diesel cars caused 27 engine fires in South Korean models which led to checks on 106,000 cars and the European recall was expected. Volvo is introducing the performance and efficiency benefits of its T5 turbocharged … [Read more...]
“Diesel in terminal decline” – July car sales analysis
Hybrid and electric car sales have broken records while diesel continues terminal decline, according to the latest car sales figures from the industry in Britain. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders July registrations showed a very modest 1.2% rise in overall sales, helped by strong demand for convertibles and sales incentives by manufacturers and dealers after months of … [Read more...]
Serious issues for car makers facing new emissions test
There is a growing problem for car makers attempting to work to the new WLTP emissions test as the September deadline looms, says JATO. The international business intelligence service has carried out its own emissions analysis and concludes the perceived and real gap between the old and forthcoming test figures is bigger than first thought. Only about 20% of new cars can meet the new … [Read more...]