Components for the world’s first purpose-built “green taxi” will be made in Wales by Sapa Components UK it is being announced today. This follows a £9.6m investment supported by the Welsh Government which will create more than 130 jobs over the next five years after it put £550,000 into the project to bring the work to Wales. First Minister Carwyn Jones met senior officials from … [Read more...]
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Brits cars are the pits, survey shows
When it comes to cleaning our cars we’re a nation of slobs. Over a quarter (29%) of car owners wait over three months before they clean the inside of their cars, reveals a new poll. Car leasing specialist UK Carline polled 1,006 UK car owners' attitudes to cleanliness and discovered that 61% of car owners wait longer than a month before cleaning the inside of their cars with a shocking 7% … [Read more...]
Back to school lessons for parents
With the majority of schools going back last week, AXA Insurance says one in four parents were involved in a car accident whilst taking their children to school during the last academic year. Nine per cent claimed that they had been in a somewhat major accident, whilst another eight per cent said their accident was ‘severe’. Eighteen per cent also said that whilst they had not been involved in … [Read more...]
Milestone reached on the road to a safer world
Future safety developments put a new onus on car makers to be clear about their systems and what they can and cannot do before a driver must take over. Since its establishment in 1997, Euro NCAP has been the catalyst for significant and sustained advances in automotive safety. It's independent crash tests and continuously evolving assessment protocols have given consumers the … [Read more...]
Severn Bridge tolls to be cut
The Severn Bridges tolls will be cut in January for the first time, as VAT is removed. Cars heading for Wales will be charged £5.60 instead of £6.70, with vans paying £11.20 - down from £13.40 - and coaches £16.70, currently £20. UK ministers confirmed it was a step towards abolishing tolls by the end of 2018 revealed in July and their end will save the average user about £1,400 … [Read more...]
RAC back MP’s clampdown on rogue operators
The RAC is backing Sir Greg Knight MP’s private member’s bill to tackle rogue private parking companies head on by introducing better regulation to protect motorists, as research shows overwhelming support for such proposals. The Parking (Code of Practice) Bill 2017-18, which had its first reading in July, aims to reform unfair parking practices by introducing a legally binding code of … [Read more...]
Confused.com gets new CEO
Car savings Wales-based website Confused.com has confirmed that Louise O’Shea will be the company’s new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Martin Coriat. He leaves in July to take on the role of CEO for Confused.com’s sister comparison website LeLynx based in Paris. The appointment of O’Shea as CEO heralds another shift upwards in gear for Confused.com. O’Shea boasts nearly a decade of … [Read more...]
Mercedes showcase robots and drones for deliveries
With the unveiling of its Vision Van at its Innovation Campus in Stuttgart, Germany, Mercedes has showcased how robots and drones could soon be used more effectively for delivery tasks. Van hire and leasing specialist Northgate has looked at how the enhancements would work. Mercedes has teamed up with world-class flying vehicles and intelligent control software manufacturer Matternet to … [Read more...]
Ignorance is hit and miss
A study by The Motor Ombudsman, the automotive dispute resolution provider, has found 54% of respondents had very limited or no knowledge at all when choosing which garage to buy their first car from. Similarly, 53% didn’t know where to get their vehicle serviced when they first started driving. The handy one-stop point of reference, which can now be downloaded from TheMotorOmbudsman.org, … [Read more...]
Growing responsibility of drivers’ employers
With the introduction in recent years of roadside drug testing, and the surge in drug-related accidents at work, employers are coming under increasing pressure to ensure their staff are fit to work, and that health and safety aren’t compromised as a result of an individual being impaired. According to a survey carried out in 2015 on employees from a range of sectors, nearly a third of them … [Read more...]