Coronavirus chaos hit the Welsh new car market with devastating effect last month. The traditional leaders and also rans have been swept away and replaced by many unexpected models. The successes included supercars in the sales chart compiled by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Dealers who managed to take advance orders for new models and get them registered in the first two … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news 26 April
As the COVID-19 lock-down continues for another three weeks at least the motoring world needs to carry on, as does our service to supply interesting news items you may have overlooked. Here are a few I have selected for this week’s news briefing. Still ‘Moving the Metal’ via on-line virtual showrooms Numerous car brands are now operating virtual on-line tours and dialogues with potential … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 April
The Covid-19 lockdown has reduced traffic on the roads and the number of accidents but has also brought an increase in speeding, according to data from My Policy Group, the telematics and data analytics business. This is a cause for concern as increasingly erratic driving behaviour could contribute to a rise in road traffic accidents, at a time when emergency services need to focus on fighting … [Read more...]
Tradelines 8 January
Eligible customers from 19 years of age can purchase Citroën’s stylish C1 city car with one year’s free insurance. The offer, available on ‘Feel’, ‘Flair’, ‘Urban Ride’ and ‘Origins’ trim levels, also incorporates hatchback and ‘Airscape’ body styles and the offer is available on retail cash purchases and Personal Contract Purchase. The Dacia SE Twenty special editions have been added to the … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 January
The new plug-in Citroen C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid automatic will be shown at the Brussels motor show this week and first UK deliveries are planned for summer. It has a 31 miles electric range and 180hp petrol 1.6 litre engine as well, a 600 litres maximum bootspace and cost from £35,340. Daimler and Volvo are in preliminary talks to consider jointly developing a new generation of engines, according … [Read more...]
New car discounts are rising
New car discounts have steadily increased since the beginning of the year as the motor trade struggles to shift stock. Citroën retailers have offered the biggest discounts on new models, with nearly 12% savings since the start of the year, according to exclusive What Car? research. Premium brands, including BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo among those offering new car buyers the biggest price … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 April
Dacia has launched its new top-of-the-range Techroad special editions, with deliveries from April. It’s available on All-New Duster, Logan MCV Stepway and Sandero Stepway. exclusively in two new colours: Fusion Red and Highland Grey. Car makers are struggling to make money in the world’s biggest market, China, reports Automotive News Europe. A slowdown in sales, impending new … [Read more...]
Tradelines 20 March
More than half of van drivers admitted to making calls behind the wheel without using a hands-free device, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Van drivers spend an average of 35 minutes on the phone each day in their vehicles, making an average of seven calls a day and one in 10 spend two hours on the phone while driving. Mercedes-Benz is relanching its prestige Maybach … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 March
Volvo will limit the top speed of its models to 112mph (180kph) from 2020. It’s also considering electronically reducing speed around schools and hospitals without the driver intervening. Three consecutive months of price reductions on the UK’s forecourts came to a crashing halt in February as both petrol and diesel went up. Data from RAC Fuel Watch shows the UK average price of a litre … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 January
VW is steaming ahead with a plan to make its new generation of electric cars in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It will begin with a compact suv in 2022 but others will follow as it prepares to spend over €700 M inside six years. Renault and Dacia have launched a New Year sales campaign. Special finance deals are available across the ranges until the end of March, and some come with deposit … [Read more...]
