A 280% growth has been seen by Arval UK in the number of vehicles it operates under its Ignition salary sacrifice product during the last 12 months, with the top 15 cars chosen now all electric vehicles. Richard Cox, consultant at the fleet and mobility specialist, explained that the growth showed both the burgeoning popularity of “sal-sac” and how quickly EV adoption could happen in the “right … [Read more...]
Retail News
AI checks if all’s well in the cell
Artificial intelligence has been developed to accurately predict when a traction battery will run out of charge. The work by Eatron Technologies and WMG was funded through the Faraday Battery Challenge and means the UK becomes a supplier of the most advanced Battery Management Systems in the world. The innovation of project COBRA as it’s called comes from combining advanced battery ageing models … [Read more...]
Is the pricing bubble about to burst? ask BuyaCar
Used car prices may have reached a ceiling, signalled by a shrinking cost gap between newer and older cars. According to the online car supermarket BuyaCar.co.uk, the average price paid for a 2021-registered car is just 4.6% higher than for cars registered in 2020. BuyaCar research shows that the gap was 24.1% in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic and the global electronic chip shortage … [Read more...]
Car stock shortages looming, warn finance lender
Stock shortages emerge as the biggest worry for dealers in the year ahead, according to new research from Close Brothers Motor Finance. The Dealer Satisfaction Survey found that almost a third (31%) of motor dealers see the lack of stock availability as the biggest threat to their business, with the global semiconductor shortage having a significant ripple effect on the motor industry. Despite … [Read more...]
Chinese electric vans heading to UK next year
Two Chinese electric van brands will go on sale in Britain early next year with five year warranties. DFSK and Skywell models will be imported by Innovation Automotive, based in the Cotswolds, and CEO is Paul Brigden, formerly Operations Director of Mitsubishi Motors UK headquartered in Cirencester. The vehicles will be imported through Portbury, Bristol docks but the number of jobs being … [Read more...]
EU car sales slow but UK CV production rises
According to data from 26 European markets, new car registrations slowed in July, recording a year-on-year decline of 24% as total volume decreased from 1.27 million units to 967,830. Similar results were recorded in July 2012, when the market registered 966,090 units. The year-to-date results remain positive, up by 17% compared to 2020 with 7,381,735 units registered, but down by 24% when … [Read more...]
Park and plug to overcome range anxiety
Rented driveways and empty parking spaces are leading the drive to end EV charge point anxiety, considered one of the main barriers to mass EV adoption. It follows a recent official report that has criticised the ‘postcode lottery’ of electric vehicle charging which urges more action to ensure the charging network is fit for purpose in order to help the Government meet its climate … [Read more...]
Newcomer: Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate
Special Vehicle Operations has launched a new edition Range Rover Sport SVR with spectacular solid glass flake paintwork options for the first time. Featuring a selection of exclusive colour combinations and interior detailing by the SV Bespoke vehicle personalisation team, the 575PS Range Rover Sport SVR Ultimate enhances the visual appeal of the fastest and most powerful vehicle in the Land … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Audi Q4 e-tron Sport 40 204ps
The Audi Q4 e-tron really is shaping up to challenge in the pure-battery electric car sector with its first compact SUV. As befits Audi, the Q4 e-tron is available with a wide choice of power units, 125, 150 or 220kW outputs from two battery capacities, rear or all-wheel-drive and four trim levels including a well-specified launch edition. Depending on the battery pack chosen … [Read more...]
Fuel for thought and ‘greening’ older cars
Old and modern classics may be the surprise beneficiaries of the latest tightening of emissions regulations and introduction of higher alcohol petrol, according to Tom Wood, CEO of Car and Classic. Considering the recent announcements about CO2 emission reductions on UK streets, most recently the E10 fuel implementation and the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London, CEO of … [Read more...]