More manufacturers are piling into the scrappage schemes to boost flagging sales this year. Volkswagen Group is launching a scrappage scheme for older diesels in the UK. Buyers can get incentives of between £1,800 and £6,000 for a new VW vehicle form any of its family of marques if they trade in an older vehicle with a pre-Euro5 diesel engine registered before 2010. Renault UK has also come … [Read more...]
News
Petrol to cost more than diesel very soon, says RAC
The RAC is warning to drivers to expect a hike in unleaded petrol prices on the forecourt in the coming days. It’s largely a result of Storm Harvey in the southern United States which has knocked out production sites and led to a global shortage. The price of a litre of petrol could rise by up to 4p per litre, which would take the average price of the fuel above 121p per litre – a price not … [Read more...]
Toyota lead world sales this year
Toyota continued as the world’s most successful brand in the first half of this year. Sales exceeded 4.28M, some 4.4% up on the same time 2016, while Volkswagen barely improved when they recorded 3.22M sales, just overtaking Ford on 3.06M, a drop of 2.2%. Nissan sales rose 6.2% to 2.51M but it was Honda which leapt 10% with 2.50M registrations in six months at the expense of Hyundai’s 2.08M, … [Read more...]
Tougher tests begin for car emissions
More stringent “real world” emissions tests come into force today. The new laboratory test, called Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure, will introduce much more realistic testing conditions for measuring pollutant and CO2 emissions than the previous, out-dated lab test. The WLTP will provide a more accurate basis for measuring a vehicle’s fuel consumption and emissions said … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 September
Aston Martin St Athan plant will play a key role in the company’s £500M business deal with Japan over the next few years, said president and chief executive Andy Palmer. He was speaking during a British trade mission to the Far East and outlined the new models being made in Wales and its Gaydon HQs in future years. Parents at an Anglesey school have called for more flexibility over increases … [Read more...]
WRGB opens for entrants & promises thrilling fight
The end of August marks another major milestone on the countdown to the UK’s eagerly-anticipated round of the 2017 FIA World Rally Championship. With little more than nine weeks remaining until the thrilling WRC title fight arrives on these shores, official entries to this autumn’s Wales Rally GB 26-29 October have opened. National Rally opens book Entries for the shorter … [Read more...]
£2.5M development by Hutchings Motor Group
The fifth-generation Treforest-based Hutchings Motor Group, has opened their new Hyundai dealership in Swansea. The £2.5m development opened in time for the firm to gear up for the seasonal September car registration plate change. Group Managing Director, Stephen Hutchings said, “Following five years of successful partnership with Hyundai, we are delighted to announce the August opening of … [Read more...]
Vehicle repairers least liked amongst traders, says poll
Customers hate dealing with car repair garages more than any other trade, according to warranty company, Warrantywise. The results of a survey showed that repair garages now beat estate agents into first place, with plumbers taking the third spot in the podium of pain. The survey of 1,320 people showed that customers felt baffled by technical jargon, so are worried about taking their car to … [Read more...]
Uninsured vehicles rising after years of decline
More vehicles are being driven without insurance and having accidents. Approximately 58,000 were crushed last year - a rate of more than 1,000 a week. The Motor Insurer's Bureau, is looking at why they have increased in the year to July by almost 10% to about 12,000 after declining since 2004. MIB expects to pay out £256m from a fund provided by insurers at a cost of £15 to each motor … [Read more...]
Newslines 29 August
The cost of running a car eats up 20% of a young driver’s annual take-home pay, according to analysis from Cuvva, the app-based pay-as-you-go car insurer. Excluding the actual purchase price of the vehicle, the total cost of running a car for a UK driver aged 17-22 is £2,861 a year, 19.9% of the annual take-home pay of £14,402 for someone in this age group. Truck platooning could save cost, … [Read more...]