Finland's Hannu Mikkola, who died on 26 February aged 78, was one of the most successful and versatile international rally drivers during a 31-year career in a variety of cars from Volvo PV544 to state-of-the-art Group B Audi S1 and a few others in between, writes Ken Davies. Born 24 May 1942 at Joensuu, Finland, like many Scandinavian drivers of his period, Hannu started competing in a Volvo … [Read more...]
Brits’ dreams take long time to realise, if at all
Brits won't own their dream car until they are 47 but it must be a black sports car - preferably an Audi or Aston Martin.A study of 2,000 drivers found many know what they want, but most will have to wait before making the dream a reality, owning more practical or affordable alternatives in the meantime.In their twenties, Brits are most likely to own a supermini or saloon car, … [Read more...]
Ford Fiesta is again Wales best seller
Welsh car buyers have restored the Ford Fiesta to top spot in the sales chart in January as UK registrations hit a 50 years low. Ford dealers registered 122 Fiestas last month, comfortably ahead of the 104 Kia Sportage, which was the top SUV among Welsh families and they were the only two models to exceed 100 sales in the month. Ford suffered badly in Wales last year but it has come back … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 January
Our buying habits are changing with hybrids now up over 304% in ten years through insurance searches says comparethemarket, followed by city cars and then electric models, which are just ahead of seven-seaters and SUVs. Steepest decline in buyers have been sports cars, mpvs, coupes, convertibles and pure 4WD models. Burgeoning demand for the fully electric e-tron SUV has been instrumental in … [Read more...]
Majority drivers now considering ev as next car – survey
Some 63% of drivers are considering an EV for their next car, citing environmental benefits, being able to charge at home and being taxed less on their salary as the top three main reasons. Tusker runs a fleet of almost 20,000 cars, which is being transformed by the green revolution with EVs accounting for 50% of orders in 2020. In turn, its fleet has gone from 3% EV to 20% in just 12 months, … [Read more...]
EVs on charge in collapsed UK market
The UK new car market fell almost a third last year with registrations dropping 29.4% to 1,631,064 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders today. A -10.9% decline in December wrapped up a turbulent year, which saw demand fall by 680,076 units over 12-months to the lowest level of registrations since 1992. Against a backdrop of Covid restrictions, an acceleration of … [Read more...]
More families shifting towards used cars
In a year shaped by a pandemic and strict social distancing restrictions, drivers have still been able to get their hands on the car they wanted, said Seán Kemple, Managing Director of Close Brothers Motor Finance."In fact, a new-found reticence to use public transport has shifted attitudes toward car ownership, a trend likely to grow even further in 2021. "Smaller models remain … [Read more...]
JLR move to block VW premium models in United States
A row has erupted over intelligent all-wheel-drive systems used by a number of car marques. Jaguar Land Rover filed a complaint in the US to block imports of VW Group's Porsche, Lamborghini, Audi and VW SUVs. JLR allege they are using its patented Terrain Response technology without permission. JLR said in its court documents with the US International Trade Commission the systems negotiate a … [Read more...]
Welsh lockdown badly hits car dealers
The firebreak lockdown has wiped 25% off new car sales in Wales, revealed figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It is a warning to England which has just gone into a month's lockdown as opposed to the fortnight shutdown in Wales which ends on monday after 3,677 new cars were sold by Welsh dealers in the three weeks they could open last month.October new car … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 October
The Nissan LEAF has been named most reliable electric vehicle in a study carried out by one of Britain’s best-known warranty companies. The research by Warrantywise looked at the frequency of repairs, common faults, cost of repair and age at the time of repair. As the long nights draw in, new analysis by DS Automobiles shows that the risk of a fatal accident is five times greater between 7pm and … [Read more...]
