BMW will build its X1 SUV at a Dutch contract manufacturer that also produces some of the automaker's Mini models. The new X1 production will begin in August at the VDL Nedcar plant in Born, Netherlands, and global markets will be served from here and Regensburg, German plant. Meanwhile, Toyota will add 400 jobs to build more SUVs at one of its US … [Read more...]
Car market is thermometer of UK economy
It has been a year of ups and downs for the economy. The first half of 2016 was dominated by uncertainty in the lead up to the EU Referendum, which caused many businesses to halt investing and hiring until the result of the vote was known. Once the result for Brexit was confirmed, this understandably shook the economy and caused several industries to … [Read more...]
Weekend review: 2016 in the mirror
The relentless rise of Sports Utility Vehicles seems to have dominated discussions among motoring writers, drivers and the industry during 2016 but it was a more familiar family-car which impressed just before the dawn of 2017. Looking back at our testing diary for the year and also the brief opportunities for some first drives in a host of cars, we … [Read more...]
“Right” & “wrong” cars curb house sales
If you're browsing the Sunday papers housing pages today, you could be a victim of a little appreciated fact that over a third of Brits would be put off a property by the cars parked outside. School catchment areas and transport links often come high on the list of factors when choosing a property, but new research shows that over a third (36%) of us … [Read more...]
Newslines 6 December
Tolls to cross the Severn bridges will increase in the New Year. From 1 January cars and motor caravans will pay £6.70 - up 10p - while tolls for small goods vehicles and small buses will rise by 20p to £13.40 and heavy goods vehicles will become £20 a time. BBC Wales, Llandaff site will become a 400-home development after the broadcaster moves to the … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 November
Cardiff council is warning of traffic disruption on Saturday. City centre roads will be partially closed for the rugby international in the afternoon and early evening while heavy traffic is expected around the City Stadium for the Wales v Serbia football match Saturday evening. Welsh Government will insist on new rolling stock, with access … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: MINI Seven
MINI's boost in sales this year has been fuelled by the introduction of their Clubman range - their first C-segment MINI followed by the Convertible new range including the recently introduced JCW, or John Cooper Works variant, writes David Miles. The Convertible range now accounts for 10% of total UK MINI sales making it the best selling convertible in … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 October
Automatic speeding fines issued on the A55 through the Conwy tunnel will be cancelled. Speed camera bosses have apologised to scores of drivers after a blunder meant prosecutions were issued by mistake when the devices were not recalibrated to 70mph after the recent roadworks finished earlier than expected and the 40mph temporary limit was lifted. Tens … [Read more...]
Executive motoring: BMW 240i Coupe
At their annual end of year UK automotive media briefing BMW released images of their new 5 Series Saloon and Touring estate ranges which will be in the UK from February next year. Although not their largest selling model ranges the 5 Series accounts for one out of every four Euros the company makes. In the UK the 5 Series sells in the region of … [Read more...]
In the cloud and on road technology around the corner
Renault and Nissan will work with Microsoft to develop cloud-based services for vehicles. The services will be based on Microsoft's Azure cloud service and will include advanced navigation, predictive maintenance and over-the-air software updates as the businesses move towards autonomous cars over the next four years. Renault and Nissan plan to launch … [Read more...]
