Western European car sales dropped 23 percent in September, according to LMC Automotive data, in the wake of a summer discounting splurge. Registrations fell to 1.05 million cars last month from 1.36 million a year earlier, the consulting firm said on Thursday. Its numbers are based on national sales data and estimates for some of the smallest markets. The new Worldwide Harmonised Light … [Read more...]
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New car sales plunge 20% in September
The UK new car market fell by -20.5% in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It reported 338,834 vehicles were registered in the month when the new registrations plate came into force, down around 87,000 on the previous year as new testing requirements continue to affect supply and distort the market. The impact was felt across the board, with … [Read more...]
Slovakian aid to JLR given green light by EC
JLR has been cleared of receiving illegal EU money for its new assembly plant in Nitra, Slovakia. The European Commission said yesterday it concluded that Slovakia’s £110.6 million of investment aid to Jaguar Land Rover was in line with EU State aid rules. The Commission said public support for the British carmaker to build in the Nitra region was necessary to ensure the plant was in Europe … [Read more...]
Blockbuster blast-off begins
Billed as a blockbuster, this week’s Wales Rally GB 4-7 October really has it all, writes Gary Jones. Tonight there’s a dramatic opener under floodlights, challenging new tests in legendary Welsh forests and a stunning finale with cars racing through the closed streets of Llandudno – the first free-to-attend WRC stage in the UK for more than 20 years. Then there’s the added excitement of … [Read more...]
Tradelines 3 October
BorgWarner is developing solutions for nearly every propulsion equation an Original Equipment Manufacturer is trying to solve. The company is leveraging its in-house technology development to deliver clever hybridization and electrification technologies to assist OEMs in producing high-performing, energy-efficient vehicles. The Wankel rotary engine will be reborn by Mazda as a … [Read more...]
Congestion is threat to business growth
Congestion is increasingly becoming a critical business issue according to the latest research from the Mercedes-Benz Vans Business Barometer. Delivery drivers say that, on average, 16% of their working day is lost due to congestion, which means, based on a (very conservative) 8 hour working day this equates to 1 hour 17 minutes a day, or more than 6 hours across a typical working week, adding … [Read more...]
Landmark changes signpost Paris motor show
The 2018 Paris Motor Show this week comes at a time when the European automotive industry is facing three major challenges: the introduction of WLTP, trade tensions in the US, and the outcome of Brexit negotiations. How quickly the market continues to grow will depend on how quickly it adapts to the knock-on effects caused by these factors. In the face of these challenges, car makers have … [Read more...]
Watch scheme saves £500M cars over time
More than £1/2 billion worth of uninsured UK vehicles have been saved from potentially being crushed in the last decade including Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Bentleys and Aston Martins. Vehicles including supercars and high-value cars to the tune of £543,712,611 that had been confiscated from uninsured drivers were among those saved from being scrapped, according to figures released from automotive … [Read more...]
Buyers seriously considering ev and fuel cell cars
Green-group Transport & Environment say 40% of car buyers across Europe will buy or lease an electric or fuel cell powered, but manufacturers are slow to meet demand. A considerable 5-12% of citizens across the countries surveyed say it is very likely they'll buy an electric next and their MORI survey shows there is an immediate opportunity to grow the 2% of sales that presently can be … [Read more...]
Severn Tolls end on 17 December
Christmas is coming early for users of the Severn Bridges. The controversial tolls which have operated since the early 1960s will be abolished on 17 December, The news has been welcomed by the Freight Transport Association, the only business group representing all of logistics, welcomes this news after campaigning for the removal of the tolls for a number of years. As Sally Gilson, FTA’s … [Read more...]