European new car registrations went up by 9.3% in 2015, driven by an SUV boom that contributed to a big part of the total growth.
For the first time in the history of European car sales, SUVs led the way, outselling the traditional subcompact and compact segments, posting an increase of 24% at 3.2 million units.
The era of autonomous cars is moving closer in the UK.
Eight new projects across the UK have been awarded £20 million in Government funding to research and develop enhanced communication between vehicles and roadside infrastructure or urban information systems.
A new type of scrappage scheme has been introduced for old vehicles in the UK which are no longer in production.
The new scheme has the backing of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and will allow anyone who has an old car produced by a brand which is no longer selling in the UK to be taken for recycling at no cost to the owner.
European politicians have been accused of caving in to economic pressure from car-makers over tougher emissions regulations.
The European Parliament has agreed to new limits for nitrogen oxide emissions from new diesel cars which are half of the limit agreed in 2007.
Motorists should make the most while it lasts of petrol being under £1 as an RAC Fuel Watch report suggests the cheap fuel market may have bottomed out.
Since oil reached a 12-year low of $26 on Wednesday 20 January ($25.73 – 27 August 2003) the barrel price has rebounded, finishing the month at $33.12, only $3 below where it started at $36.54 and has caused the wholesale cost of both petrol and diesel to rise again, although diesel still remains 3p a litre cheaper than unleaded.
The majority of older drivers are in favour of tighter rules on checking the health and suitability of over-70s to drive – even if those checks could take them off the road themselves – according to a new report by the Institute of Advanced Motorists and entitled Keeping Older Drivers Safe and Mobile.
And more than half demonstrate that they self-regulate to stay safe, by avoiding driving in challenging situations like busy traffic, after dark, in rush hour or bad weather.
