Traffic jams on the M4 around and west of Swansea are 78% worse over two decades than South East Wales, says analysis. Work by transport consultant Mark Berry suggests it’s down to the rise in housing estates close to motorway junctions and with still more planned the situation will get far worse without major public transport investment. Half of regular drivers say they are suffering more … [Read more...]
Solar car-port puts rivals in the shade
A Welsh company is launching a high technology car-port which puts rivals in the shade, using advanced solar power panels. BiPVco of Newport also produces flexible panels for the roofs of boats, motor homes, caravans and commercial vehicles and its product is being used on the latest patient transport vehicles ordered by the Welsh Ambulance Service Trusts as part of a £13.5M transport … [Read more...]
Union urges nationwide fight over Ford Bridgend closure
Ford workers across Britain must stand together against the closure of the Bridgend Engine Plant, GMB Congress has said. An emergency motion, passed at GMB’s Annual Conference in Brighton yesterday, called on the company to reconsider the closure – which will cost 1,700 jobs. Ford workers at the car giant's other UK plants must stand alongside their Bridgend colleagues, the motions … [Read more...]
Volvo takes a head start in cycling safety
Volvo Cars, a leader in automotive safety, is teaming up with top Swedish sports and safety brand POC for a series of world-first crash tests of bike helmets against cars as part of a ground-breaking new research project that aims to further protect cyclists. The partnership is the latest example of Volvo Cars’ leading position in safety development and its ambition to improve road safety for … [Read more...]
EV planning is improving, say dealers
There’s increasing retailer satisfaction levels with manufacturers’ approach to the electric vehicle sector, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association. Commenting on the results of the latest Electric Vehicle Dealer Attitude Survey, Ms Robinson went on to say the main objective of the survey is to understand retailers’ views on the approach to the electric … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 June
JLR and BMW will jointly develop their future electric motors and powertrains. The German company will design them and the UK business will build them for both companies after reports BMW will also supply new V8 engines to JLR models for certain markets. Fiat Chrysler has withdrawn a $35 billion merger offer for France's Renault, blaming a breakdown in discussions on the French Government … [Read more...]
Welsh Minister calls for rethink over BEP closure
The closure of Ford Bridgend Engine Plant will have a devastating impact on its employees, the supply chain and Bridgend, said Minister for Economy and Transport Ken Skates. “Earlier today I spoke with Graham Hoare, Chairman of Ford UK, who informed me that the company intends to begin a consultation to close its Bridgend engine plant in September 2020 to move production of its Dragon engine to … [Read more...]
Ford face triple dilemma at Bridgend
Global demand for the Ford triple-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine is lower than expected and driven the decision to close its production line in Bridgend next February. Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe (right), in a conference call said the employees and management at Bridgend Engine Plant had done all they possibly could to support Dragon production, but it was simply not … [Read more...]
EVs will save national grids billions in spending
Electric vehicles can save France, Italy, Spain, and the UK between €500 million and €1.3 billion each a year as they switch to renewable energy, a new study has found. Smart charging – or charging electric cars at the best time of day for the grid – will help avoid demand peaks and provide extra storage when there is renewable electricity oversupply. This will reduce the need to build … [Read more...]
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant closure confirmed
Workers at Ford Bridgend Engine Plant were this morning told it’s closing after 40 years. The company called a mass meeting in the plant and it comes after many months of speculation surrounding its operations and future, and manager Wallace Yarwood broke the news to a hushed crowd with only one worker shouting "Poor show". The GMB union said it would be "hammer blow" to workers and the … [Read more...]