Home deliveries have delivered for the UK van market. Sales of light commercials grew by 26.4% in September following a weak month last year, when the market was affected by emission regulations changes. “It is encouraging to see the van market experience an uplift in registrations of over a quarter indicating that a degree of confidence has returned to the sector”, said Sue Robinson, Chief … [Read more...]
Retail
Newslines 5 October
Thousands of drivers are making big savings by working from home and not paying to use toll bridges, tunnels or motorway sections, says Leasing Options. It has looked at toll costs and found the Dartford Crossing the dearest to use over a year, taking over £3,500 off drivers and even the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol costs £524 annually. Changing your job title, getting married and … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: First drive Jeep Renegade 4xe
Jeep has turned a corner with its new plug-in hybrid Renegade. Without compromising its famous off-road abilities the Renegade 4xe adds emission lowering and power enhancing electric drive. It’s the first electrified Jeep to be sold in Britain and uses the familiar 1.3 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor or generator driving the front wheels coupled with a hefty 60hp … [Read more...]
Drive begins to save apprenticeships
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Charitable Trust Fund has launched the SMMT Apprentice Support Programme, designed to help safeguard the jobs of apprentices currently working within the automotive industry. The scheme comes as the government-funded furlough scheme is poised to end in a month’s time, to be replaced by new measures to support short time working. The … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 October
CUPRA has started production of the new Formentor, the first vehicle uniquely designed and developed for the brand. The CUPRA Formentor will be available to order in the UK from Tuesday 20 October, starting with the 2.0-litre 310PS petrol engine, and followed by other engines including the plug-in hybrid variant. MG has beaten its 2019 sales targets already as the UK’s fastest-growing car brand … [Read more...]
Potential potholes for planning ahead
The impact of the coronavirus crisis and potential effects of Brexit are making planning beyond the short term almost impossible in the remarketing sector. So reports the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA), which points out that the currently booming market is arguably obscuring the potential dangers that lie ahead. Chair Sam Watkins said, “As has been widely reported, the sector is very, … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 October
Audi is rolling out a plug-in hybrid version of its A3 Sportback from £33,060 and it’s comes to Britain before 2021. The compact 204ps Sport and S line models will cover 41 miles on traction battery alone and it joins the PHEV versions of the brand’s bigger models. Hyundai Ultimate Mobility Vehicles will be developed by a pioneering unit of the Korean car-maker, its New Horizons Studio. Based … [Read more...]
Businesses stretch to survive
New data compiled by epyx has shown the increased level of contract extensions made on company cars and vans during the coronavirus crisis. Looking at transactions through its 1link Service Network service, maintenance and repair (SMR) platform, used by fleets operating four million vehicles, it has produced a comparison for April-August 2020 – the height of the pandemic so far – with the same … [Read more...]
Key workers and unemployed hit by insurance costs
People unemployed and some ‘key worker’ professions face significantly higher car insurance premiums because of their job or employment status, according to new analysis by comparethemarket. A policy for someone who is unemployed was 40% higher than a comparative policy for an employed person, or 54% higher than an HGV driver which is the cheapest profession for car insurance. The new research … [Read more...]
Tradelines 30 September
The pure electric Mazda MX-30 will begin at £25,545 for the SE-L Lux when it reaches showrooms next spring. Top model in the five-car series will be the GT Sport Tech at £32,845, after the PIVG allowance. Average car insurance premiums fell by £53 since the start of the lockdown, as many drivers were forced off the road and insurers reduced prices, according to the … [Read more...]