Honda will introduce the world’s first predictive cruise control system known as Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (i-ACC), capable of foreseeing and automatically reacting to other vehicles ‘cutting-in’ to the equipped vehicle’s lane. Traditional advanced cruise control systems only respond when a vehicle moves into the line of the radar sweep but the Honda system monitors movements all round … [Read more...]
News
Bridge Tolls to stay for another 12 years?
Severn Bridge tolls could be charged until 2027. That is the cut off date the British Government has to continue charging even when the concession to Bridge builders ends in 2018. The additional nine-years of possible tolls has been unearthed by Plaid Cymru during discussions on the annual price rises, which took affect again last week. The Government has remained silent on its plans and … [Read more...]
Car sales pass 2.4M in 2014
Britain is on the verge of a new boom in car sales, according to leading automotive economist Prof Garel Rhys. Early last year he dismissed gloomy predictions for the new car 2014 UK market from the SMMT and international accountants and predicted they would rise above the 2007 total of 2.4M. As the year progressed the SMMT and others gradually altered their opinions and raised hopes of an … [Read more...]
Newslines
Holyhead will reopen Market Street to traffic after a ban saw a dramatic drop in trade. It had been landscaped and closed for most of the day but businesses said the ban was hurting them and work has started to re-open it, except for the market day closure mid-week when temporary stalls are set up on the road. BMW agreed to pay £537Million or 5.1 billion yuan to distributors in China to help … [Read more...]
Safety recall for MINI models
MINI is recalling over 3,600 models sold in America and now said to pose a threat to rear seat passengers. The MINI Cooper Hardtop models were made from December 2013 to May 2014 and failed side impact tests to protect passengers. It is likely to be an extensive remedy but no comment has so far come from MINI and it’s not known how many other models may be affected around the world although … [Read more...]
Newslines
Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru brand cars and SUVs, has scrapped a plan to shift production of the new XV Crosstrek to its U.S. plant in Indiana and will instead make the crossover SUV in Japan, a source familiar with the company’s production plans said. Fuji Heavy, which has been moving production to Indiana due to the strong yen and a policy of making cars in markets where they are … [Read more...]
New service for West Wales
A new hourly T5 bus service between Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest begins today. Linking Aberystwyth, Aberaeron, New Quay, Cardigan, Fishguard and Haverfordwest, the Welsh Government funded service replaces the current x50 and 412 services and is part of the Welsh Government funded Traws Cymru network. It will operate hourly in each direction on weekdays and Saturdays. A fleet of new more … [Read more...]
Newslines
Over 1,900 new MINI models are being recalled in America to check on an automatic transmission issue as the company prepares to launch its latest model. The model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door, and Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured January 6, 2014, to October 17, 2014 may have been inadvertently reprogrammed by garages in services which would allow the vehicles to move if … [Read more...]
Hundreds of M4 speeders get warnings from today
Speeding M4 drivers around Port Talbot will today begin receiving warning notices about possible prosecution. Hundreds of motorists a day are ignoring new average 50mph speed enforcement cameras on the M4 through Port Talbot and one was recorded at 98mph. The four cameras were installed in October on a two-mile stretch and are currently being tested and monitored. Enforcement action … [Read more...]
Newslines
One year after the US premiere of the new MINI, the British premium manufacturer presents another spectacular addition to the model range at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit later in January. The new MINI John Cooper Works is raring to go and now sees its world premiere at the Mecca of the US automotive industry along with a new concept study. Three quarters (74%) of … [Read more...]