There’s a warm new hatch coming this summer. An all new,lighter and quicker Suzuki Swift Sport goes on sale from 1 June with a £1,500 reduction for the first month making it £16,499. It copies the dramatic Champion Yellow of the Suzuki Works Junior rally car and inside there are sports seats and trim detailed with red accents. Developed from the Vitara and S Cross, unit, the 1.4 140ps … [Read more...]
Retail News
“Ghost-brokers” rising spectre on our streets
Bogus brokers are targeting cash-strapped car owners and leaving them uninsured. Smartdriverclub Insurance, the mass market telematics insurance service with connected car benefits has seen a 14% rise in motor insurance policies that have been ghost-brokered over the past year. In response, the insurance provider is warning motorists to be on their guard for offers of car insurance at a … [Read more...]
Slow start to used sales but diesels rise
Britain’s used car market had a slower but relatively solid start to the year, with sales surpassing 2 million in the first three months, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It reported 2,031,661 vehicles changed hands, a -4.8% (-102,295 units) year-on-year decline compared with Q1 2017. Demand for petrol engine cars fell -9.7%, as diesel registrations rose 2.0% and … [Read more...]
Motorists’ lethal ignorance of EVs exposed
Motorists have a potentially lethal ignorance about the servicing and maintenance of electric vehicles. A survey for the Institute of the Motor Industry revealed a widespread lack of awareness about the benefits and risks of electric motoring. Some 82% of drivers said they feel they don’t know enough about electric vehicles to wave goodbye to their petrol/diesel while two thirds (66%) said … [Read more...]
Tradelines 23 May
The new Volvo S60 saloon this spring will be the first Volvo to be produced without a diesel engine, highlighting Volvo Cars’ commitment to a long-term future beyond the traditional combustion engine. All new Volvo models launched from 2019 will be available as either a mild petrol hybrid, plug-in petrol hybrid or battery electric vehicle. Aston Martin reported a 3% rise in first-quarter … [Read more...]
Tougher MoT test begins tomorrow.
A newer and tougher MoT test begins tomorrow. More vehicles than ever are expected to fail and the worst will be prevented from leaving the test station until they pass. Diesel powered models will face more stringent emissions tests. GoCompare Car Insurance is warning drivers they could invalidate their insurance if they fail to hold an up-to-date MOT certificate for their vehicle. The … [Read more...]
Triple whammy hitting fleets
A “triple whammy” means that fleets are in their biggest ever state of policy flux, says fleet software specialist FleetCheck. The WLTP fuel and emissions measurement changeover, the “demonisation” of diesel and the lack of information about company car taxation after 2020 are creating a high degree of confusion and frustration, says Peter Golding, managing director at FleetCheck. He said, … [Read more...]
Better insurance deal for Allianz fleet customers
Allianz Insurance has refreshed its motor fleet products to provide customers with new covers, enhanced limits and access to additional risk management services. Now available for any policies incepting or renewing on, or after, 1 June, the revamped products are available for small fleets (4-14 vehicles) and larger fleets of 15 or more vehicles. Traded through the Allianz branch network … [Read more...]
Truck safety in spotlight this week
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has called for a stronger focus on active safety technologies, to prevent accidents happening. The vehicle makers are putting their views out to scrutiny ahead of the EC’s new proposals last this week for vehicle safety measures, which the industry believe will be less effective, increase pollution and congestion as well as running … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 May
A new Honda Civic saloon is coming to the UK market after a gap of seven years since the hybrid was sold in Britain. Built in Turkey, the Civic saloon will be available with 1.0 litre petrol or 1.6 diesel powertrains, with a 519 litres boot, and will be in dealer forecourts from August. Some new SEAT Ibiza 2017 and 2018 models as well as Polo versions from this year are being recalled … [Read more...]