Average CO2 emissions for new cars in Europe fell during 2016 demonstrating the continued progress being made by the industry. The analysis carried out by JATO Dynamics covered 23 European markets and showed that average CO2 emissions fell by 1.2% in 2016 - finishing at 117.8 g/km. The result was 1.4 g/km lower than the total seen in 2015, but this represents the smallest annual percentage … [Read more...]
Bentley rethink on site for next model
Bentley will consider whether to build its next model in the UK or Europe depending on how Brexit talks go within the next 12 months, CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer has told Reuters. It’s sells 20% of them in Europe, its largest market, and has previously assembled some in Dresden, Germany when it needed to boost capacity. Uncertainty over the Brexit outcome is also making Toyota delay an … [Read more...]
Tyre safety technology is letting down drivers
Tyre safety technology is letting down drivers, say experts. TyreSafe has aired its concern at the implication for road safety of skyrocketing MoT failure rates caused by defects with vehicles’ Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). More than 23,000 vehicles required a retest following identification of TPMS issues in 2016 compared with a little over 7000 in 2015* - an enormous … [Read more...]
Tradelines 8 March
The next Corsa has been delayed and is likely to be based on the forthcoming baby Peugeot/ Citroen models. It could be the first model produced under the new PSA ownership of Vauxhall and Opel in 2020. The MINI does not have to be built in Britain to make it a success, said boss Peter Schwarzenbauer. He was speaking at the Geneva motor show and said a decision on the site for the MINI EV … [Read more...]
Massive jump in AVF UK sales as diesels dip
Hybrids and electric cars saw a massive boost in registrations last month at the expense of diesel. Diesel sales dipped nearly 10%, petrol went up almost 6% but the real surprise was a 49% jump in alternatively powered models, the biggest since they entered the market several years ago, said the SMMT. A combination of concerns over emissions and impending hefty increases for running a diesel … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 March
The Peugeot 3008 has been judged Car of the Year 2017 on the eve of the Geneva motor show and three years after its sibling 308 took the title. Journalists from around the world tested the top models released in the last year and it beat finalists, AR Giulia, Citroen C3, MB E-Class, Nissan Micra, Toyota C-HR and Volvo S90/ V90. The revolutionary hypercar being co-developed by Aston … [Read more...]
PSA will buy Vauxhall, it is confirmed
PSA Peugeot Citroen will buy GM Europe, it has been confirmed and announced this morning. Vauxhall and Opel will come under the same control as Peugeot, Citroen and DS in the £1.9 Billion deal. Now there will be detailed due diligence discussions before the final contracts are signed, possibly in a year’s time. The deal is unlikely to see any changes in Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port Astra … [Read more...]
Geneva motor show – preview
Opening to the press on tuesday, the Geneva Motor Show will show how SUVs and performance cars stand out in eclectic launch schedule, say Ian Fletcher and Tim Urquhart, automotive analysts, with IHS Markit. Implications: As the industry moves towards increased vehicle autonomy, the traditional supercar and sports-car manufacturers are unveiling a host of models that will keep the … [Read more...]
Popular small cars lagging in latest safety tests
The 2016 Fiat 500 and Ford Ka+ are lagging behind class rivals in safey provisions, says Euro NCAP. It tested them against the new Citroen C3 and found them lagging behind in occupant protection after simulated impact and standard autonomous braking systems. Euro NCAP says buyers should put off purchasing a current Fiat 500 and await the new version, and the Ford Ka+ is unsophisticated and … [Read more...]
Newslines 3 March
After two months of rises at the pumps, the price of petrol and diesel stabilised in February, according to RAC Fuel Watch data. In Wales, diesel dipped by 12p a litre while unleaded rose 9ppl and nationally unleaded finished the month at 120.23p a litre, a very slight increase on the figure of 120.05p seen on 1 February, and diesel at 122.25p, having started at 122.31p, meaning the country is … [Read more...]