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...]
Tradelines 5 June
The next generation Land Rover Defender will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in early September. It is one of the car makers still pledged to the German motor show, despite 22 other makers missing it as they revisit their sales and marketing strategies, but the new Ford Puma SUV is expected to be their highlight at the event. The planned Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Renault Group … [Read more...]
Hard-hitting report on greenhouse gas emissions
The Committee on Climate Change has published a landmark report which calls for the UK to adopt a world-leading target of Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The report calls for the target for electric cars introduction to be brought forward and for the accelerated introduction of low carbon technologies for other harder-to-electrify vehicle types, such as long-range trucks. The … [Read more...]
Car makers pay the price of planning ahead
British car-makers who turned off production lines anticipating chaos with suppliers and exports around the original Brexit date in March have seen a dramatic fall in output. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said car production fell 44.5% year-on-year to 70,971 units in April, the lowest since the 2009 recession started. Car factories shut down before March 29, the original … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 May
Nissan is giving its blessing to the $35 billion (£27.7 billion) merger of Renault with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, according to the Nikkei newspaper. The plan raises difficult questions about how Nissan would fit into a radically changed alliance with Renault, its current partner Mitsubishi, and the FCA group and comes after FCA and PSA failed to progress talks on collaboration earlier this … [Read more...]
Good 2 Talk
The Motor Ombudsman, the automotive dispute resolution provider, has unveiled the “#talk2resolve” campaign on their Twitter page (@Motor_Ombudsman). The aim of the online awareness drive is to emphasise the importance of consumers giving a business the opportunity to resolve a complaint directly with them, prior to involving an impartial alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider, such as … [Read more...]
Shortage of good stock emphasises preparation
An increasing shortage of good quality stock in the used car sector means that there is a growing emphasis being placed on vehicle preparation for sale, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation, which represents businesses that between them handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 million used vehicles every year, believes this will be one of the key trends of … [Read more...]
FCA and Renault talk of merger
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles want to merge with Renault in a $35B deal which the French car maker is seriously considering. French and Italian Governments would have a say in the venture, which is likely to be based in the Netherlands for tax reasons, and which would bring synergies for both sides, reducing development costs and production, without major drawbacks. Renault has been hitting … [Read more...]
Users must be at the heart of future ev plans
Citizens Advice is calling for the electric vehicle and energy sector to put consumers at the heart of the design process as new methods for charging electric cars are developed. The charity has developed a set of recommendations, based on its research examining drivers’ attitudes towards new ‘smart’ charging schemes. Sales of electric vehicles are increasing - which is good news for the … [Read more...]
Government asked to explain breathing pace
Paul Davies AM has asked the Welsh First Minister to explain how the Welsh Government intends to slow the increase in pollution-related deaths in Wales. The Welsh Conservative Leader used his question in the Welsh Parliament to highlight the Welsh Government’s record on meeting emission targets. Despite declaring a climate change emergency last month, the Welsh Government has achieved only a … [Read more...]