Motorists in West and Mid-Wales are the luckiest in Britain. Car theft analysis shows they are the least likely to have a vehicle stolen. DVLA statistics studied by insurer Confused.com reveals those living in Dyfed-Powys are the safest from vehicle theft, where just 22 per 100,000 cars are stolen. North Wales is only slightly worse with 37 per 100,000, possibly due to its proximity to thieves … [Read more...]
Retail News
Newslines 15 May
Supercar club Auto Vivendi has added 12 new models to its collection in a week. Among the newcomers are Ferrari SF90, McLaren Artura (above), Lamborghini Urus Performante and Morgan Super 3, with more Ferraris and a Maserati MC20 Cielo coming soon. Over 27 million British drivers experience road rage at least once a month, mostly on the morning commute, reports iCompario business comparison … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: KIA Soul Urban EV
KIA sales are soaring in Britain and to keep ahead it has seemingly taken a step back with the latest generation of the popular Soul EV. KIA Soul was launched in 2008 after the company looked to its Californian styling studio for a new model to appeal to the 18-35 year old American buyer market and its concept creation debuted at the Detroit motor show in 2006. The production model broke cover … [Read more...]
Bank Rate rise is challenge to traders
The decision by the Bank of England to raise their interest rates by 0.25%, to 4.5%, will inevitably have implications on the motor trade, according the car dealers' body. The Bank of England has confirmed that interest rates will rise by 0.25%, from 4.25% to 4.5%, the twelfth consecutive rise since December 2021. Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association … [Read more...]
Use your car less and drive up bills and trouble
Cutting down on your car use and mileage might be a false economy in the long run, according to Vertu Motors. Cars provide convenience and freedom to motorists, but, with the current pinch on the cost of living, many Brits may be looking to cut down their mileage to save money. However, the experts at Vertu Motors have warned that car owners still need to maintain their vehicles, even if they … [Read more...]
Elfyn Evans wants to build WRC lead this week
Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team is preparing to enter a crucial run of gravel events as the closely contested 2023 season continues at the popular Rally de Portugal, 11-14 May. Portugal marks the first of seven consecutive events on gravel, a sequence that will stretch through to the start of October and pose a wide variety of challenges for the teams and drivers in their GR Yaris Rally1 … [Read more...]
Parts, people and processes are slowing repairs
Service, maintenance and repair issues mean that fleets are facing excessive vehicle off-road time, the Association of Fleet Professionals is reporting. Paul Hollick, chair, said AFP members buying SMR were regularly reporting a range of problems. Some of these, such as parts supply, were felt to be outside the control of suppliers - but others, including levels of communication, were more … [Read more...]
Tradelines 10 May
Responding to feedback from members, the Independent Garage Association (IGA) has added a new EV Practical Fault-Finding course to its suite of high-quality, cost-effective skills training. The one-day course will focus on real-world faults that have been identified by IGA members as frequently affecting their customers’ vehicles and will be delivered at various RMI training locations, with the … [Read more...]
Self-driving cars steer cautious welcome
More than two-thirds of motorists (67%) are ready to start using self-driving cars, new research shows, in the same month that the UK’s first hands-free driving technology has been launched. Following approval for Ford’s Mustang Mach-E to use BlueCruise driver assistance, May’s Startline Used Car Tracker reports that 43% say autonomous technology would make journeys more relaxing and 36% believe … [Read more...]
Wales wins by miles with smiles
Driving is smiles better in Wales. The happiest drivers in the country have been announced with motorists in Wales topping the list, a new study reveals. Experts at LeaseCar.uk have crunched the numbers for each region based on factors which are important to drivers when it comes to having an enjoyable trip. Highest amount of traffic levels, most amount of roads (miles), total number of … [Read more...]