Matt Hirst and Declan Dear took the 2019 Pirelli Motorsport UK Welsh Forest Rally Championship in style on Saturday with outright victory on the final round, writes Peter Hughes. It was Russ Thompson and Andy Murphy who led the series going into the Winner Garage Wyedean Stages Rally, needing just a solid finish to take the title. When they retired on the very first stage of the rally, however, … [Read more...]
News
Auction slowdown expected as normal
Supplies of used models will go down over the next few months as dealers traditionally hold off putting them in auctions. “Half of respondents in this month’s NAMA survey are expecting volumes to fall over the coming month. Volumes of vehicles arriving at auction centres generally reduce towards the end of the year, and this year appears to be no different,” said Louise Wallis, Head of the … [Read more...]
Used cars sales rebound
The SMMT said used car sales rose 0.9% in Q3 after nine quarters of decline. Some 2,076,382 transactions took place between July and September, 18,925 more than the same period in 2018. Demand for diesel models was up 1.4% in the quarter with 858,442 changing hands, while petrol sales were flat with a slight drop of -0.2%. Plug-in electric and hybrid models showed a solid increase of 13.0%, … [Read more...]
Falling out of PHEV or bridging a gap
The issues facing the British car market with the decline in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle sales in the UK this year has been outlined to media by Conor Twomey, General Manager Internal Communications and Government Affairs for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. Mitsubishi with their Outlander PHEV more or less pioneered the launch of the PHEV market quickly becoming not only the best selling model … [Read more...]
Tradelines 13 November
Nissan profits have collapsed by 70% in three months. It made $278M to the end of September with retail sales down 7.5% globally, European registrations slid 23% but sales showed a steadying picture in America. JLR is looking for partners to share new technology and other costs, say media reports. BMW and Zhejiang Geely are mentioned but others may be approached to assist market improvements in … [Read more...]
£60 added to average premiums by comparison sites, claim
A new report sheds light on the practices price comparison websites are implementing to persuade vulnerable young drivers to part with their hard-earned cash - when they already pay 149% more than national average on their insurance. Earlier this month the Financial Conduct Authority released an assessment of the insurance industry, which lifted the lid on loyalty penalties, revealing insurers … [Read more...]
Welsh Government says further delay to major road
Conservative AMs have criticised Welsh Government over another A465 completion date delay. A critical section of the Heads of the Valleys Road will be delayed until n late 2020. Commenting on the announcement that the completion date for widening part of the Heads of the Valleys Road A465 has been pushed back for the second time this year, Russell George AM said, “Another delay means more … [Read more...]
Iron Horse pulls hefty price tag
A 90-year-old motorcycle is the inspiration for the Ariel ACE Iron Horse two-wheeler. Inspired by the Black Ariels from the late 1920s, the Crewkerne company now known for its lightweight road and track cars has crated the polished aluminium framed Iron Horse with 172bhp 1200cc V4 Honda engine and shaft drive for just under £29,700. … [Read more...]
Transport for Wails, say critics
South Wales Central AM, Andrew RT Davies, has blasted Transport for Wales after another day of chaos for commuters on the country’s rail network. Welsh media has reported services in South Wales and North Wales have been hit by a series of cancellations and passengers are complaining across several areas about a lack of coaches and trains not running on time on monday. Commenting on the … [Read more...]
Newslines 12 November
Volkswagen is breaking new ground with a concept for an electric estate car to be shown at the Los Angeles motor show the end of this week. The ID Space Vizzion is their latest proposal for a new model after a future EV hatchback was unveiled in the autumn. Jaguar Land Rover’s decision to shut down assembly plants last week to ease any Brexit issues with components and stocks will cost the UK … [Read more...]