As driving lessons and tests return, new figures from a car insurance comparison website show almost a third of all learner drivers are over 30 years of age. Quotezone.co.uk data also reveals that many motorists spend longer as learner drivers than might be expected, with almost a third (32.2%) holding a provisional licence for more than a decade. While the general picture of learners being … [Read more...]
Retail
Sparks of realism needed for electric and hybrid vehicles
Electric and hybrid vehicles must become more affordable for consumers and more profitable for producers, according to GKN. For that to happen, suppliers must find new and better ways to make electric propulsion more economically viable. GKN Automotive’s technology roadmap focuses on reducing the premium for e-mobility, while maximising the benefits. Lower costs, optimum efficiency, NVH … [Read more...]
Welsh Kia dealership gains UK’s first customer service award
Welsh Kia dealership Gravells of Kidwelly has scored a near perfect result during independent marking of their performance. Kia dealerships Ken Jervis (Stoke-on-Trent), Gravells (Kidwelly) and Drayton Motors (Boston) are the first ever motor dealerships to be accredited with the ‘ServiceMark with Distinction’ by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS). ‘ServiceMark with Distinction’ is the … [Read more...]
Wales’s car sales sky-rocket after lockdown
Car sales in Wales last month rocketed over 6,750%, the biggest jump in mainland Britain, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Only Northern Ireland exceeded this leap in 12 months when showrooms recorded 13,629% rise. Scotland saw a 5,686 jump but English dealers trailed with just under 3,000%. Last month, total UK new registrations reached 141,109 cars compared to 4,205 some 12 … [Read more...]
Fleet providers see growth coming, says Arval
Company car and van fleets are markedly more optimistic about growth than before the pandemic, according to new research in the 2021 Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer. When asked whether they expected the number of vehicles they operate to increase or decrease in the next three years, the response was eight percentage points higher than 2020’s survey. However, larger fleets appear to be … [Read more...]
Volkswagen sales of EVs soar & Porsche power on
Figures being released today will show the steady advance of electric car sales. April saw further evidence that more manufacturers are racing to secure a share of the market for new EVs. New AutoMotive’s monthly data release tracks new car registrations in Great Britain and shows that the market for new EVs is distributed between an increasing number of manufacturers. Volkswagen took the … [Read more...]
Genesis brand launches in UK
Hyundai’s premium Genesis brand goes on UK sale this summer. There will not be a dealer network but the manufacturer will have a Genesis Studio in Westfield shopping centre, London and also provide sales on-line. Prices are likely to begin about £35,000 for the saloon and £50,000 for the suv, and will be fixed and non-negotiable. It was established in 2015 and has been selling … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Citroen New C4 1.2 PureTech 130 manual
Combine mid-sized hatchback dimensions with 5-doors in a Coupe styled bodyshell then add in must-have SUV styling cues and that mix should make the new Citroen C4 highly desirable. For good measure Citroen has thrown in attractive pricing and high specification. The C4 and its predecessors have been around in various forms in their mid-sized segment over 93 years with 12,500,000 sold. The … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall New Insignia Sri VX-Line Nav
The Vauxhall Insignia is a lesson to rivals. While many challengers have or are about to move out of saloons/ hatchbacks and into crossover models in the modestly priced family sector, or executive brands keep pushing up prices but offering less in return, the Vauxhall hatchback stands out as extremely good value and packaging. The Insignia range today spreads over 17-models in a single … [Read more...]
Toyota Yaris tops for reliability, German marques low
THE Toyota Yaris is the most reliable of the UK’s best-selling cars. From nippy city runarounds to larger family motors, British drivers have always had their favourites when it comes to getting from A to B with as little fuss as possible. Now warranty specialists MotorEasy have run the numbers on the top 10 models to see which of them really delivers in terms of swerving hefty repairs … [Read more...]