Over 1,000 temporary contractor jobs are going at JLR as the executive car maker struggles to control losses as a result of the global pandemic hitting sales and it saw a downturn of £501 Million in the first quarter of the year.
It has raised its cost cutting target by £1 Billion as it seeks to save £5 Billion by March including slashing capital spending by £500 Million.
There were more searches for used cars in the first week of June than the week before lockdown, coinciding with the reopening of forecourts in England, shows analysis of searches on the AA’s used car website.
Searches on the AA Cars website in the first week of June rose by 9.1% compared to the first week of March, before any social distancing measures were implemented, suggesting interest in used cars has sprung back to pre-pandemic levels after the lockdown has had a big impact on the used car market, with total sales falling by 8.3% in the first quarter of 2020 according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, despite two strong months in January and February, both of which saw more sales than the same months in 2019.
Results by Holts Auto showed BMW was the most googled car brand in the world, it also came top in the UK.
Last year it was the most searched for in 137 countries, Toyota came second, coming top in just 21, Mercedes-Benz was third in 5 countries while Tesla interest is on the rise, the brand came top in 4 countries.
Spain has allocated €100 Million to incentives motorists buying electric cars.
But it has earmarked €250 Million to boost sales of low emission petrol models and has been criticised by the Transport & Environment environmental group.
Dacia will be offering factory fitted LPG dual-fuel 1.0 petrol models in the UK across its range and badged TCe, at £400 above the equivalent petrol only model.
The cleaner fuel will improve emissions and extend engine life while also providing a combined range of 620 miles.
American dealers are offering $20,000 dollars off the $70,000 price of a Jaguar I-Pace from unsold 2019 stock.
The all electric model has been a slow seller and to further attract buyers they are being given a three months repayment holiday and the HP stretched to six years, reports Electrek news website.
SEAT is offering new mobility solutions which meet the needs of cities and its residents and commuters, launching three electric urban mobility vehicles: the series production of the SEAT MÓ eScooter125 (electric motorcycle) and the SEAT MÓ eKickScooter65 and eKickScooter25 (electric scooter).
Depending on model, their range is between 45 and 77 miles and use is subject to DoT approval as trials are being conducted.
Mercedes-AMG has developed a miniature electric motor system to speed up turbo response in engines to cut delay, improve performance and economy.
The Exhaust gas turbocharger with integrated electric motor is in the final stages of testing after it was first developed for F1 power units.
The Ford Focus ST is now available with a seven-speed automatic transmission.
Priced from £34,710, carrying a £1,450 premium over six-speed manual, order books now open for Focus ST auto on five-door or estate bodystyles as Ford dealership showrooms reopen, but it’s more polluting and slower than the six-speed manual versions.
After a decade of making pure electric cars, Renault is now offering hybrid models as part of its latest Clio, Captur and New Megane series.
It says the company is responding to changing needs and choices by customers.
Pent up demand has shown in the latest sales through UK car showrooms, said Sue Robinson of the National Franchised Dealers Association.
She was commenting after the latest figures from Europe where passenger car registrations fell by 52.3% in May according to the latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association after April sales had declined by -76.3%.
