The Motor Ombudsman has recorded a substantial 80% rise in the usage of its online Vehicle Recalls tool. The easy-to-use search function on its website allows motorists to find out quickly whether a participating car manufacturer has recalled a specific make and model under the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)’s safety recall scheme. Manufacturers make every effort to communicate … [Read more...]
Tradelines 24 May
The Vauxhall scrappage scheme is back. A £2,000 price cut is being offered for trade-ins before the end of June and deals also qualify for low rate finance. The British old-banger could become a thing of the past as ambitious new drivers are now aspiring to opt for a brand new vehicle as their first car, according to motoring solicitor specialists, Motoring Offence Lawyers. More than a … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 May
Tighter safety controls on equipment and automation will be outlined by the EU to vehicle manufacturers by the end of the year. Safety campaigners have won their fight to make more equipment standard, particularly for heavy or big vehicles. Ford is reportedly shaking up its senior management. US media reports CEO Mark Fields is leaving the car maker and his role is being split into three … [Read more...]
Car makers move streets ahead on-line
Ford is streets ahead of rivals on-line, that’s the conclusion of a marketing study by Mediaworks. The analysis by Mediaworks looks at the success of selling brands on the web and it contains a few surprises. Coming after two other reports showed that younger buyers are most influenced by advertising and also that savvy-buyers are now beginning their on-line searches for replacement cars up … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 May
A speed camera on North Road, Cardiff has generated £840,000 fines from motorists, according to data sent to BBC Wales. It’s the biggest earning camera in Wales, where £17.1 Million was collected in 2016, and now the RAC Foundation for Road Safety is calling for the North Road site to be investigated for poor signage, layout or other reasons to explain the high number of offences. The surge … [Read more...]
Knock-on effect of diesel decline felt across market
The decline in diesel new car sales is forcing down used prices as well, but Volvo is enjoying a boom in second-hand prices. There is a knock-on effect on financing plans increasingly being used by car makers to bolster income, report analysts to Reuters. Pollution concerns and the likelihood of city centre charging is also affecting the business model used so successfully for a … [Read more...]
New smart pure heads line-up
The new smart pure in fortwo coupé and forfour body styles is now on sale from £9,995. The pure model line comes with a 1.0-litre petrol engine with an output of 71 hp, mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It has a top speed of 94 mph, and emits just 97 g/km of CO2 while achieving a combined fuel economy of 67.3 mpg combined. Standard equipment includes 15-inch wheels; electric … [Read more...]
New car sales collapse in Wales
New car registrations in Wales plunged over 30% last month after a boom in March due to new taxes and charges beginning in April, writes Robin Roberts. It was the steepest fall in the UK, with Northern Ireland just a little behind while England and Scotland did not suffer anywhere like the same downturn. The fall was expected but the percentage was higher than many … [Read more...]
Tradelines 3 May
Dacia has announced UK pricing and specification for its New Logan MCV Stepway which was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The distinctively rugged version of the New Logan MCV Stepway follows in the footsteps of the New Sandero Stepway and the fifth member of the Dacia UK range is priced from £11,495 with first customer deliveries expected in June. The Bank of England is reported … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 April
Vauxhall has been slated by MPs for its handling of the Zafira fire issue over the last three years. A Commons Transport Select Committee said the car maker was too slow to investigate the issue and too quick to blame the fires on improper repairs, and now Vauxhall says it has learned lessons while 183,172 Zafira models have been checked and fixed. A dozen new railway stations will open in … [Read more...]