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...]
News
AM DBX luxury to cost from £158,000
The Aston Martin DBX being built in Wales will cost £158,000 when order books open next week. It's globally unveiled in Beijing, China on 20 November and built in a multi-million pound new factory completed earlier this year at St Athan. The decision to use a bespoke chassis allowed Aston Martin’s design team – led by Executive Vice President & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman … [Read more...]
North Wales hit by rising van thefts
Van thefts in North Wales have doubled in 12 months but fallen by 75% in South East Wales. CV theft across the UK has soared by 45% over the last four years with 30,000 vehicles stolen since 2015, according to research by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. A total of 32,056 vans have been stolen over the last four years with almost 10,000 thefts recorded across the UK in the last year alone, … [Read more...]
EU market is very patchy for AFVs
Sales of alternatively-powered vehicles are following a highly uneven pattern across EU member states, according to new findings from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. Indeed, the consumer uptake of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric passenger cars, as well as those fuelled by natural gas or hydrogen, differs strongly from country to country. “Although the … [Read more...]
Racing & remembering
One of the highlights of the UK motorsport calendar returns to Anglesey Circuit for the sixth year this coming weekend. Mission Motorsport’s unique Race of Remembrance features fifty teams in a 1,000km race. Although primarily a ‘clubman’ event, the Race of Remembrance attracts a diverse crowd of racers from novices to experts. Mission Motorsport beneficiaries play a huge part in the … [Read more...]
SUVs now seen as growing polluters
A new report that indicates SUVs have become a major source of increases in CO2 emissions during the last few years should prompt businesses to consider their role on company fleets. Fleet software company FleetCheck says that the International Energy Agency document shows that growing demand for SUVs was the second largest contributor to increases in global CO2 emissions from 2010-2018. During … [Read more...]
Tradelines 6 November
BCA, with 24 centres across the UK, has won the Auction House of the Year Award at the inaugural Motor Trader Independent Dealer Awards. The Awards pay tribute to those companies and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in used car retailing, offering class-leading customer service and innovation. The fleet of light vehicles in operation in the US hit a record level earlier this year … [Read more...]
Dig this award for electric vehicles !
JCB’s world-first electric mini excavator has scooped one of the automotive industry’s most prestigious honours. The Royal Automobile Club presented JCB with the Dewar Trophy for ‘Outstanding Technical Achievement in the British Automotive Industry’ for the 19C-1E – the construction industry’s first fully electric mini digger. The Trophy - only awarded in years when the RAC’s expert committee … [Read more...]
New car sales fall is not the full picture
The SMMT figures this morning show a 6.7% fall in new car registrations in October. They do not tell the whole story though, says an industry watcher. Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said, ““Disappointing sales figures this month, slightly down once again, point to a lack of confidence among consumers. Larger, more expensive car sales remain low as … [Read more...]
Dunton now Ford of Britain HQ
Ford has renamed its Dunton Technical Centre in Laindon, Essex, to Dunton Campus, Ford Britain, to highlight its new role at the centre of the company’s activities in Britain. The Dunton Campus becomes headquarters of its European Commercial Vehicles business group and home to light commercial vehicle engineering, powertrain engineering, Ford of Britain national sales company, and Ford’s bank, … [Read more...]