The figures speak for themselves with the latest line-up of new BMW PHEV plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on offer with more models to come, writes David Miles. This week BMW UK held a media test driving event with most of their PHEV models available for test driving. This coincided with this week’s United Nations Climate Change Conference being held in … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Volvo XC90 B5 diesel R-Design
The second generation Volvo XC90 large SUV with 4x4 traction and seven seats is the flagship of the revitalised Volvo range, writes David Miles. It was introduced in 2014 and recently it has undergone its mid-term revisions to keep it relevant in today’s expanding SUV market sector. It was the sales and image success of the premium brand XC90 that led … [Read more...]
Falling out of PHEV or bridging a gap
The issues facing the British car market with the decline in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle sales in the UK this year has been outlined to media by Conor Twomey, General Manager Internal Communications and Government Affairs for Mitsubishi Motors in the UK. Mitsubishi with their Outlander PHEV more or less pioneered the launch of the PHEV market quickly … [Read more...]
Trendsetting Mitsubishi eyes BIK changes
Mitsubishi Motors UK welcomed the government’s plans to restructure the Benefit in Kind taxation system. The change will encourage the uptake of greener vehicles amongst business users. In the next financial year, beginning in April 2020, the UK’s best-selling plug-in hybrid, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, will now attract a BIK rate of 12% for eligible … [Read more...]
New to used gap widens and choices expand
As used car sales surge, the gap between demand for used and new vehicles gets ever starker, said Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Consumers shifting to cheaper cars due to the economic uncertainty caused by Brexit and the global slowdown is certainly a factor. But, so too is the challenge in supplying customers the … [Read more...]
New car tax changes and how they affect you
The Government’s Spring Statement 2019 has outlined how April 2019 changes to vehicle-related taxes will hit fleets and drivers. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond’s second Spring Statement was an update on the health of the UK economy and the state of the Government’s finances, rather than laying out any major new tax or spending … [Read more...]
BIK burden soars for company cars
Data experts cap hpi revealed the tax burden on company car drivers has soared over the last decade. The study looked at the popular fleet vehicle the BMW 320d SE and found that while the list price of the vehicle had risen by 23%, the BIK had risen 105% since 2009. In the same period, real wages have only risen 20%. The company is calling for the … [Read more...]
Changes to EV subsidies will hit consumers, say SMMT
Government’s decision to cut the Plug-in Car Grant will have far-reaching consequences for consumers, the environment and industry, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Reducing the purchase incentives for zero emission cars by a third and completely removing the grant for plug-in hybrids is totally at odds with Government ambition to be … [Read more...]
Option packs on cars to be hit in tax move
Individual options are unlikely to increase tax liabilities on new cars under the new WLTP regime, but commonly selected combinations of options will have emissions and tax impacts. This is likely to accelerate manufacturer initiatives to streamline their vehicle ranges and option packages, says Autovista Group, Europe’s leading pan-European automotive … [Read more...]
Right fuel for the job is really important
Chevin Fleet Solutions, a leading global provider of fleet management software, has released a new whitepaper, ‘Selecting Your Vehicles – the Right Fuel for the Job.’ The paper reviews the different fuel type options that are available on today’s market – including petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric – alongside both tax and legal changes that can have … [Read more...]
