October’s new car market grew by 14.3% to reach 153,529 registrations, 7.2% above pre-pandemic levels and marking the best performance for the month since 2018, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The 15th month of consecutive growth was driven almost entirely by large fleet registrations, which grew 28.8% to reach 87,479 units. Private demand was stable at 62,915 … [Read more...]
We’re keeping our cars for longer
A survey finds that almost half of drivers (45%) are holding onto their cars for longer than usual because they are unsure whether to buy a petrol, diesel or electric car, rising to 56% of under 34s, compared to 36% of over 65s. The survey of 2,000 drivers carried out by Opinium on behalf of InsuretheGap.com also finds that just over two fifths of drivers (42%) say that if they were buying a new … [Read more...]
New car sales shrug off winter chill
Improving supply components and completed cars has seen another rise in registrations in February, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Sales in Wales rose the most in Britain with a 29.6% increase to 2,370 new cars. SMMT datum show 74,441 cars were registered last month – a 26.2 per cent rise on February 2022’s lower numbers but it was was down by just 6.5 per cent on … [Read more...]
Motorists’ misery is mounting by the day
Motorists’ misery is mounting by the day, said the RAC. RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said, “The average price of petrol went up yet again on Sunday to a new record of 188.7p a litre. “More than five weeks of successive record prices has caused a litre of unleaded to rocket 23p from 165.5p in mid-May. “Diesel also climbed to another all-time high on Saturday with a litre reaching 196.1p. A … [Read more...]
Fuel in Wales is some of UK’s dearest
Financially challenged Welsh families are forking out more of their weekly income for fuel than Londoners. The North East has the most expensive fuel in the entire UK, new research can reveal and they spend a bigger percentage of their weekly wage on fuel than any other region in the UK, as petrol prices hit their highest level on record. Motorists in the North East spend £77.93 on a tank of … [Read more...]
New Vauxhall Astra orders open this autumn
The forthcoming eighth generation Vauxhall Astra will be available with petrol, diesel and hybrid powertrains when they get into dealerships early next year and a fully electric model will arrive in 2023. A Sport Tourer will go on sale in about 12 months time as Vauxhall ramp up their offensive and work towards a fully electric line up of all models by 2028. … [Read more...]
Fuel prices rise for seventh consecutive month
After the seventh month of rising prices petrol is now more than 22p a litre more expensive than a year ago – the biggest 12-month increase seen for 11 years, says RAC Fuel Watch. Unleaded went up by more than 2p a litre (2.24p) in May to 129.27p while diesel also increased by a similar amount (1.95p) to 131.59p. In the seven months since the country last saw the average price of petrol fall … [Read more...]
Difficulties setting values of newest and future cars
Sellers and buyers face a torrid time setting values on the latest hybrid and electric cars. Aside from the myriad of other issues that will affect both the production and adoption of BEVs and advanced hybrid technology, the industry needs to begin to understand what the future value of these cars will look like, and also the level of retail consumer interest. Without a realistic view of the … [Read more...]
Pump prices climbing higher, says RAC Fuel Watch
The average price of petrol shot up by 3.5p to 120p a litre in January – a price last seen the day before the first Covid-19 lockdown on 22 March 2020 and the third consecutive monthly increase, says RAC Fuel Watch. Diesel also went up by more than 3p a litre from 120.05p to 123.43p (3.38p), making for the second rise in as many months. Both fuels, however, are still around 7p a litre cheaper … [Read more...]
Volvo XC60 range widens
Volvo's award-winning XC60 mid-size SUV is now available with a full range of electrified powertrains. The former World Car of the Year is offered purely with hybrid power, from mild-hybrid petrols and diesels to petrol-electric plug-in hybrids. Every mild-hybrid powertrain in the XC60 range combines a powerful 2.0-litre engine with a 48-volt battery and a KERS kinetic energy recovery system to … [Read more...]