The Government has unveiled controversial plans to ban pure petrol and diesel engined vehicles from UK roads by 2040. It follows failure to meet European clean air legislation and a High Court decision that requires an environmental strategy to be put forward. The plan was discussed before the general election but publication was delayed because of fears it would affect voting by people in … [Read more...]
UK wins contract to build electric MINI
BMW will assemble the electric MINI in Oxford. The company announced production will begin in 2019 as a variant of the brand's core three-door model. Additional electrified models will be added when a next-generation vehicle architecture will steamline manufacturing. The Mini EV's electric drivetrain will be built at BMW's e-mobility facilities at plants Dingolfing and Landshut in Bavaria … [Read more...]
Newslines 18 July
Prospective owners of the McLaren 720S supercar need to look no further than DVLA Personalised Registrations’ three-day live summer auction for the ultimate accessory. The Agency has once again come up with the perfect personalised registration to adorn the latest McLaren dream machine with MCL 720S, which is listed with a £250 reserve, among the 1,250 personalised registrations being auctioned … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta has nothing to fear from rivals
Britain’s most popular car has just improved. The Ford Fiesta has consistently been the top selling car in Britain and since 2008 over a million have been put on our roads, while over four decades about 4.5 Million have been registered. Those are impressive numbers, but the new seventh generation model now reaching showrooms is arguably the best since it was launched in 1976. It … [Read more...]
Tradelines 12 July
Production of the latest Nissan Qashqai is underway at its Sunderland plant. There is a new design, upgraded interior, better performance and added mobility technologies, with an advanced self-driving mode from spring 2018. A regional conference for members of the Freight Transport Association will be held at the Celtic Manor Resort on 4 October. It is one of ten nationwide which looks at … [Read more...]
Golf tops slowing new car sales market
The UK new car market has declined for a third consecutive month with 243,454 new units registered in June, said SMMT. Registrations fell at a slower pace than in the previous two months, by -4.8%, as demand continued to stabilise following a record first quarter and the subsequent market turbulence caused by the recent changes to Vehicle Excise Duty. The market is now more in line with … [Read more...]
Tighter standards coming for emissions
The European Parliament's environment committee adopted the EU's Low-emission Mobility strategy, signalling the Parliament's desire for ambitious future CO2 standards for cars and vans just a few months before the European Commission’s proposal is expected in November. This opinion – a reaction to the Commission's communication on a Low Emission Mobility strategy published in July 2016 – was … [Read more...]
SUVs now account for a third of global sales
Almost a third of cars sold around the world is an SUV. Figures compiled by international analysts at Focus2move say this type of car is currently taking an incredible 75% of sales in China alone. The best selling car in the world remains the Toyota Corolla, followed by the Ford F-Series pick-up, and the VW Golf is third. Sales of the Honda CR-V are rapidly rising towards overtaking the … [Read more...]
Newslines 4 July
Škoda is upgrading the smallest member of its model range. The Škoda Citigo is being relaunched with three or five doors and many new design, technology and equipment features from £8,635 to £11,590. The EC is attempting to block further scrutiny of environmental issues, say clean air campaigners. The European Environmental Bureau say it is a shameless attempt by the EC to avoid public … [Read more...]
MG India plant to open in two years
The Chinese owners of MG who closed the Longbridge finishing facility last year have confirmed they plan to import new cars to Europe in 2019. SAIC Motor, China's largest automaker by sales volume, will set up its first car manufacturing plant in India as Chinese carmakers push into overseas markets. The automaker will bring its MG brand to India and begin assembly operations in 2019, it … [Read more...]