Rising inflation and cost of living will put the brakes on car sales, particularly electric models, says Close Brothers Motor Finance. It will also slow down the UK Government’s drive towards greener policies for other products and services, according to Lisa Watson, Director of Sales at Close Brothers. The cost-of-living crisis is having a hugely damaging impact on people’s lives, and … [Read more...]
Retail
Drivers breaking laws through ignorance
GoCompare car insurance has revealed that thousands of motorists could be regularly breaking the law while driving. In a new survey of over 2,000 motorists in the UK, many admitted to either always, often or sometimes doing the below activities while driving, which could all result in a fine, penalty points and increased costs at your insurance renewal. The key findings from the research are … [Read more...]
Tradelines 17 August
Van insurance has increased 13.6% in the first half of 2022 for new business customers – with the more recent price jumps attributed to spiralling inflation. In the UK, the average quoted cost of van insurance is now £1,156 and all age groups have recorded double-digit increases to their motor insurance policies since the start of the year. A warning has gone out over a caller pretending to be … [Read more...]
EVs to become dominant in three years
Electric models will dominate fleets in three years, managers have told researchers for Arval Mobility. Just half (50%) of vans and a little over a quarter (28%) of UK company cars are predicted to be using petrol or diesel power alone by 2025, research from the latest Arval Mobility Observatory Barometer shows. Fleet and mobility decision makers were asked, “What percentage of your fleet will … [Read more...]
Bond classic cars going under the hammer
A display of cars from the 007 blockbuster No Time To Die will be in pole position at Silverstone for The Classic over the end-of-summer bank holiday weekend 26-28 August. To celebrate 60 years of James Bond on the silver screen, EON Productions and Christie’s are teaming up to present a very special two-part charity auction with 60 standout lots. The live auction on 28 September includes … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 August
Welsh motorists rank in the middle of UK victims of car crime, according to Direct Line insurance. Over three years soe 36,831 vehicle crimes were reported to police, under 4% of the share of all crime in Waes and about 12. vehicle crimes per 1,000 people, while London topped the hit list with 321,000 vehicle crimes, almost one-in-ten of all offences and hitting nearly 39 vehicle crimes per 1,000 … [Read more...]
Students’ opposing views on future cabs
Heriot-Watt University has created a study looking at the attitudes towards the use of autonomous vehicles. The sample targeted 18-24-year-old, ride-hailing users who live in the United Kingdom. This group is believed to be the most frequent users of application-based taxi services, and they are likely to be the first to gain access to autonomous taxis. Overall, attitudes towards AVs from this … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 August
Salon Privé Blenheim Palace at the end of this month will host the UK debut of the all-new, all-electric DEUS Automobiles Vayanne hypercar following its display during Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach this month. Named as the most powerful pure electric hypercar in the world, the 2,200bhp DEUS Vayanne has been designed, developed, and tested in conjunction with revered technical partners … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Suzuki Hybrid Vitara SZ5 Allgrip
To those in the know, Suzuki has a very strong engineering history and its 4x4 models’ capabilities are legendary and affordable. It’s the same story with the new Suzuki Vitara Full Hybrid just tested as the more powerful electric motor has been introduced to not only increase power but also efficiency and economy, and it’s reflected in a lower exhaust emissions figure as well which, of course, … [Read more...]
Beat the heat & recirculate
The ultimate hack for driving this summer is the recirculation button on the AC unit in most vehicles. We all know it’s there, but many of us don’t know how best to use it. Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, UK’s largest independent specialists for car and van leasing, has revealed exactly how we should be using the recirculation feature to get the most from your vehicle's … [Read more...]