Two in five drivers (39%) are considering an electric vehicle as their next purchase, an increase of 7.5m drivers in the past two years, according to the new Britain Under the Bonnet report from Close Brothers Motor Finance. While sales figures remain in the low thousands each month, data from dealers, drivers, and online trends suggest a surge in interest in the last two years. The … [Read more...]
Rich & poor divide appears in EV sales
A rich and poor divide is splitting sales of electric cars. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has published new data highlighting the correlation between the affordability of electric cars and their market uptake. This ACEA analysis compares national data on the sales of electrically-chargeable vehicles (ECVs) with GDP per capita in the EU member states for the … [Read more...]
70% drivers are not “driving” but distracted
According to the AA many drivers are watching the clock, thinking about work and looking ahead to the future all whilst being behind the wheel. A third (30%) of drivers said they only think about driving and navigation when they are behind the wheel and over a quarter of Welsh drivers told pollsters they are “future planning “ when behind the wheel. The research also found a significant … [Read more...]
£30M boost for Welsh transport links and travel
Wales’s Deputy Minister for Economy and Transport Lee Waters has announced grant funding for local authorities of over £30m to improve access to active travel, deliver safer routes and improved road safety to communities across Wales. £12.7m of the new Active Travel Fund have been allocated to ambitious active travel schemes that have the potential to transform walking and cycling in their … [Read more...]
Tradelines 8 May
Following its unveiling at the Geneva International Motor Show in March, the upgraded four-model Kia Niro series is now on sale in the UK from £24,590 for the petrol hybrid to £31,945 for the plug-in hybrid ev version. Enhanced for 2019 with a new exterior design, a more upscale, high-quality interior and enhanced connectivity, the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid models feature Kia’s advanced new UVO … [Read more...]
New car sales’ steep fall in Wales
New car sales have fallen the steepest in Wales during April, says the SMMT. They dipped over 10% compared to the same month last year to 5,379 new models registered and in Britain as a whole sales slipped just under 4% with 160,606 registrations, and Wales's best sellers in April were: Fiesta, Focus, Kuga, Qashqai, Ecosport, Polo, A-Class, Duster, GrandlandX, Golf and Tiguan. Following … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 May
The Hyundai Ioniq has been upgraded and given new connectivity and wifi improvements. These come along with a new battery pack in the ev versions and subtle cosmetic changes inside and out. Smell and colour changes caused by smoking in a car could wipe off £2,000 at its trade in, says valuation specialists HPI. The cost is taken off the value because the car would have to be fully valeted … [Read more...]
Welsh drivers slow in emissions clean-up
GAS-GUZZLING motorists don’t care that their driving is harming the planet, a study shows. Five million Brit drivers will never change their driving habits, according to new research, even though high speed, heavy braking and using air con are all bad for the environment. In a UK map of the least eco-considerate driving regions Wales came out in the top five. More than half (51%) of 25-34 … [Read more...]
SAIC search for tomorrow’s car designers
The SAIC Design Challenge returns for 2019 as the search gets under way to find the next generation of talented automotive designers. Now in its seventh year, the SAIC Design Challenge aims to inspire, engage and nurture the future of automotive designers from China and Europe. Fully supported by MG Motor UK, the competition is run by the iconic British brand’s parent company SAIC Motor … [Read more...]
Ultimate Escort with Essex bling
If bling is more your thing than driving then this is the perfect car for you. It’ll never be roadworthy, but this Ford Escort is worth a fortune because it's a one-off 1:25 scale model made from silver, gold and diamonds. The project has been a slow-burning labour of love for professional jeweller – and petrolhead – Russell Lord. The owner, over the years, of 55 full-sized Ford … [Read more...]