As lockdown measures continue to ease, new drivers in England can now start taking driving lessons and theory tests again and practical tests from 22 July. However, with only key workers able to take driving lessons and tests since 17 March and the DVLA only starting to take applications for provisional licences again since mid-June, GoCompare Car Insurance experts estimate there may be 370,000 … [Read more...]
Retail
“Made in Wales” Aston Martin rolls off line
Aston Martin production of their luxury £154,000 DBX SUV started today in Wales. The big four-door model was announced for St Athan, some 20 miles west of Cardiff, in 2016 and over the last four years the company has been converting three massive superhangers into the company’s latest production centre at the former RAF base. It has gradually taken on over 600 employees to make the bespoke … [Read more...]
First for Ares Design ProgettoUno
Luxury Italian coach-builder ARES Design has released the first-ever dynamic footage of its supercar, the Panther ProgettoUno, the first model of its Legends Reborn programme. Inspired by the 1970s Pantera and unveiled to the world at the 2019 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the Panther ProgettoUno, the first supercar from the Modena-based coach-builder, was acclaimed as a beautifully designed … [Read more...]
Motor industry disappointed with summer statement
Announcements to safeguard jobs and encourage consumer spending in some parts of the economy are welcome but it’s bitterly disappointing the Chancellor has stopped short of supporting the restart of one of the UK’s most important employers and a driver of growth, said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. "The automotive sector has been particularly hard hit, with thousands of job losses already … [Read more...]
Welsh rugby internationals tackle with Wranglers
Two Wales rugby internationals well-versed in tough tackling on the pitch are now able to take the toughest terrain off it after taking delivery of their new Jeep Wrangler SUVs. Cardiff Blues and WRU tighthead, Dillon Lewis and former WRU and current Worcester Warriors centre, Ashley Beck, both chose the iconic SUV – the ultimate go-anywhere 4x4 – as their daily drives … [Read more...]
Newslines 8 July
Audi is ramping up its ev range with a coupe performance version of the Q4 e-tron. The Sportback will join the new comer next year when the range goes on sale in the UK. About 70,000 drivers a month search for when their MoT test is due, say comparethemarket. It’s the most searched term on their web portal, ahead of a price check on their model’s value and cost of car tax. Environmentalists … [Read more...]
Welsh haulier’s tribute for 75th VE Day
As a self-confessed Formula 1 addict, Tony Rees usually decorates his Mercedes-Benz trucks with airbrushed artwork of his its stars. Instead of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, however, the latest bears an image of his grandfather, alongside pictures of his wife’s and driver’s grandfathers. All three are depicted in uniform on the back wall of his new-generation Arocs 2553’s StreamSpace cab, … [Read more...]
How dealers can identify and prevent digital fraud in showrooms
Fraud is an escalating problem in the UK as we become more reliant on digital documentations and transactions. Unfortunately, fraudsters are increasingly sophisticated in their methods targeting businesses and consumers all over the country. And car dealerships are no exception. To coincide with National Scams Fortnight, Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance gives his … [Read more...]
Journey appprovals road to future fleet policies
The use of a journey approval system, where company car drivers have to get authorisations for specific trips from line managers, could represent the future of company car use, FleetCheck has suggested. Peter Golding, managing director at the fleet software specialist, said that there may need to be an acknowledgement that the spread of video conferencing during the pandemic was going to change … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 July
Over 350,000 homes will be fitted with electric vehicle chargers by 2025 as plug-in car uptake surges, according to electric vehicle charging scale-up Andersen. By 2025, an expected one million electric vehicles will be registered on UK roads bringing with it a spike in the number of home chargers and Andersen is selling them from under £1,000 with a typical installation of a 7KW unit costing … [Read more...]