As the UK government unveils its Road to Zero plan to reduce emissions and improve the countries Electric Vehicle charging infrastructure, a new survey from Venson Automotive Solutions reveals that motorists are some way behind in their willingness to adapt. Only 15% of those surveyed said they will definitely be making the switch to an EV or hybrid vehicle when they next purchase a car or … [Read more...]
Brexit bombshell for business, say car makers
A no-deal Brexit is not an option for Britain’s car industry, the car makers' have warned. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said carmakers were “increasingly concerned” about the lack of clarity around departure from the European Union. With less than eight months until the divorce is due to take place, Prime Minister Theresa May has yet to find … [Read more...]
VW T-Roc surges as Europe recovers & UK falters
The European car market is more dynamic than ever before, recording its best H1 performance of the century,reports analyst firm JATO. There were 8.6 million car registrations between January and June – a year on year increase of 2.7%. Despite uncertainty in the UK, where the market was down 6.3% on H1 2017, the growth recorded in Germany, France and Spain allowed the overall market to keep … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 July
Britain’s first full-sized driverless bus is being developed by Stagecoach. It’s partnered with bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Limited and technology company Fusion Processing to produce a 12m single deck autonomous bus with trials planned in a depot and including technology which can be utilised when it goes onto the streets with a driver as it would need under present legislation. About … [Read more...]
EC say car makers are manipulating tests to save investments
European Commission scientists have uncovered evidence of carmakers manipulating the results of a new test for CO2 emissions, show documents obtained by Transport & Environment. Less than three years after the Dieselgate NOx emissions scandal, the car industry is now inflating its CO2/fuel economy results, which could reduce the stringency of its 2025 CO2 targets by more than half as the … [Read more...]
Light is right for road ahead
Light is right for the next generation of electric vehicles. Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, Material Technologies Shaping the Future of Electric Vehicles (EV), discusses the material technologies used in EVs by analyzing recent global and regional trends. Electric vehicle manufacturers are looking at materials as a lever of growth for EV adoption. Specifically, these manufacturers … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 July
New Vietnamese car company, VinFast, is developing its range of world-class vehicles at an all-new state-of-the-art plant in northern Vietnam. Spearheading the company’s launch, a SUV and a sedan – both developed by Pininfarina – will be given their public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2018 while VinFast is developing other vehicles and planning to export in coming years. A … [Read more...]
Europe’s warning on car price rises
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association strongly regrets the introduction of provisional measures to curb steel imports into the EU, approved by the European Commission. In March, the Commission initiated a safeguard investigation in response to US restrictions on steel and aluminium. The provisional outcome of this procedure, announced today, is the introduction of ‘tariff-rate … [Read more...]
Maserati Levante gets new cleaner petrol engine
The luxurious Maserati Levante SUV will now benefit from the introduction of the 350hp V6 petrol engine to its line-up. The engine will also now be available to order on the Quattroporte flagship saloon and joins the 350hp already available on the executive Ghibli saloon. Underneath the bonnet ,the 3.0-litre 350hp engine available to order now offers Maserati’s signature sound and … [Read more...]
Tradelines 18 July
Eight years after it created the compact crossover segment, the one millionth Juke has rolled off the line at Nissan Sunderland Plant. On average, a Juke is built at the plant every 105 seconds, while three million Qashqai have been built there since 2006. Ford in America will pay the equivalent of over £226M to settle a civil actions arising from claims of failed or faulty Takata airbags … [Read more...]