New car discounts and big pre-registrations of technically outdated models have distorted the used car market and it has become what analysts are calling “a serious event” in the trade. The UK used car market has seen a significant shift in pricing in the sub 12-month-old sector. Retail pricing has seen a marked decrease with a 7-percentage point downturn over the same period last year, report … [Read more...]
News
Mitsubishi new identity revealed
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has officially launched its new Visual Identity to its dealer network with a series of events at its headquarters in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. To ensure its dealers had a fully immersive experience and a comprehensive overview of the look and feel of all aspects of the new VI, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has created a full replica dealership, which showcases every … [Read more...]
Greener cars and vans from bodyshops
The NBRA’s first Greener Bodyshop Awards ceremony will recognise vehicle body repairers in the industry who are committed to reducing their impact on the environment. This will be achieved by implementing measures for pollution and energy reduction”, says Chris Weeks, Director of the National Body Repair Association, the leading trade association for car body repairers in the UK. The event which … [Read more...]
Auction prices looking good this month
Car auction prices are expected to increase or remain stable in October. Conversion rates improved during September as a factor of shortening vehicle supply at a time when dealer and car dealerships were looking for stock for their forecourts, said Louise Wallis (pictured), Head of the National Association of Motor Auctions, commenting on the latest figures from their market attitude … [Read more...]
Volvo and Geely to merge combustion engine operations
Volvo Cars and Geely intend to merge their existing combustion engine operations into a stand-alone business in order to establish a new global supplier that will seek to develop next-generation combustion engines and hybrid powertrains. The proposed new business would clear the way for Volvo Cars to focus on the development of its all-electric range of premium cars. Volvo Cars is building an … [Read more...]
Car repayments now second highest after mortgage or rent
A third (33%) of Welsh drivers say their monthly car payments are their second highest expense, after their rent or mortgage monthly payments. Drivers in the North East (37%) and West Midlands’ (36%) regions of England and Scotland (35%) are the most likely to agree with this. The Opinium survey of Welsh drivers among 2000 UK drivers, commissioned by InsuretheGap.com, an independent provider of … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 October
Automotive components’ companies in Wales will get a series of meetings on dealing with Brexit issues and paid for by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Customs, Employment and Supply Chain Risk awareness sessions have been secured by the Welsh Automotive Forum in conjunction with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Legendary US brand Harley-Davidson is … [Read more...]
Pump prices still too high, says RAC Fuel Watch
Motorists are still being overcharged for fuel despite a reduction at the pumps in September, according to RAC Fuel Watch. Fears the refinery fires in Saudi Arabia in the middle of September would lead to higher pump prices have not been shown on forecourts where the cost of a litre of petrol fell by just under a penny (0.87p) last month – making for two consecutive monthly drops. In fact the … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 October
One of the last stages on this year’s WRGB was cancelled around the Great Orme, Llandudno because a safety diving team could not have worked if a competitive car had crashed off the road into the water. It follows the cancellation of two other stages on the event after a crash on one and spectators who refused to follow marshals instructions and were standing in dangerous positions on … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Electric nation is just a notion for now
In the first nine months this year official figures show that UK sales of Battery Electric Vehicles have risen by 122.1% over the same period last year to 25,097 registrations, writes David Miles. But before we think the motoring world has really changed that is still only 1.3% of all new cars sold. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles like Mitsubishi Outlander, have sold just 22,773 units - a fall … [Read more...]