Vauxhall is preparing to add a second shift and increase output of Vivaro commercial vans nearly 50% at its factory in Luton.
Vauxhall Managing Director Tim Tozer said Luton will hire about 400 workers and boost annual Vivaro output to 67,000 units from the current 45,000 units and currently exports half the vehicles it makes but Tozer said the ratio will rise to 60% when Luton adds a second shift.
Kia is the brand most likely to increase its share of the global car market over the next five years, according to a survey of the world’s leading auto industry executives.
Kia sold a record 2.83 million cars in 2013 – more than double the total of 1.38 million for 2008, the last year before the world banking crisis disrupted the market and in the same period the company’s sales in the UK have shown a similar trend, rising from 31,324 in 2008 to 72,090 last year. Kia’s UK market share has gone up from 1.78 per cent to 3.5 per cent in the same time.
Honda Motor Co and Mazda Motor Corp said they are expanding last year’s massive recalls involving potentially explosive air bags supplied by Takata Corp, after a similar move by Toyota Motor Corp this month.
Honda is recalling about 2.03 million vehicles globally, in addition to the 1.135 million it had called back in April 2013, and Mazda said it is recalling 159,807 vehicles worldwide.
There is an alarming level of ignorance and complacency about the dangerous effects of many prescription and over-the-counter medications on driving, as one in six (17%) admit either ignoring warnings not to drive or not checking the label at all.
The findings come as the pollen count starts to soar at the start of the hayfever season, and hayfever medication is one of the most common drugs that can impair driving.
The AA is offering under-17s a first drive at Goodwood Festival of Speed, West Sussex on Sunday, as part of its commitment to improving young driver safety.
The free 30-minute taster driving sessions for 12 to 17-year-olds puts them behind the wheel of an AA driving school car on the famous Goodwood circuit.
Halfords has offers running of road bikes, satnavs and accessories.
They are also promoting selected DVD players with free cases.
