A police HGV has been brought in to catch drivers in Wales on mobile phones, dangerous driving or not wearing seatbelts. The de-restricted tractor unit gives a better view of drivers in cars, buses and commercial vehicles and has been used by English forces for three years. The severe wintery weather saw Welsh councils spend over £2.38 M on gritting and salting. Extra materials, equipment … [Read more...]
Europe’s under-investing in EV charging
There is still serious underinvestment in electric vehicle recharging infrastructure across Europe, says the European Environment Agency. Only one in three EU member states is providing incentives. According to the EEA report, specific incentives for electric vehicle charging points were found in only 10 out of 28 EU countries. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) … [Read more...]
Brexit bargaining must protect auto industry, say carmakers
There are potentially disastrous implications for the automotive supply chain in Brexit, say car makers. Just a few days ahead of the EU summit, where the 27 heads of state will approve the European Council’s Brexit guidelines, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is calling on the negotiators to pay urgent attention to sector-specific issues. A big concern for the … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 February
The new Audi A7 Sportback is available to order for April delivery from £54,940. The four models have the latest styling , enhanced electronics and infotainment, mild hybrid powertrain in Sport or S Line trims and choice of 3.0 litre petrol or diesel engines. Passengers across Wales can now benefit from free Wi-Fi on all Arriva Trains Wales thanks to Welsh Government funding. The £1.5m … [Read more...]
Car makers predict growth will stall at just 1%
Car makers in Europe say they face serious challenges to cutting emissions in line with EU plans over the next 12 years. While the EU passenger car market grew by 3.4% in 2017, with over 15 million cars sold, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association forecasts that growth will slow to around 1% in 2018. “The European automobile industry is on a pathway to recovery, finally coming … [Read more...]
Car makers and EU agree new type approval system
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has welcomed the fact that the European Parliament, EU member states and the European Commission reached a final agreement on a reformed system for approving vehicles before they are placed on the EU market - ‘type approval’. Under this agreement, member states will have to carry out checks on vehicles circulating on their roads at the rate of at … [Read more...]
Motorsport ban looms after tomorrow
All motorsport is under threat from the European Court, and your action today can help save it, writes Guild of Motoring Writers committee member Laura Platman. This is a serious threat not just to competitors and the motorsport industry but also to journalists and media organisations producing coverage of the sport and EU consultation closes tomorrow, 20 October. In 2014 the European Court … [Read more...]
Tougher tests begin for car emissions
More stringent “real world” emissions tests come into force today. The new laboratory test, called Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure, will introduce much more realistic testing conditions for measuring pollutant and CO2 emissions than the previous, out-dated lab test. The WLTP will provide a more accurate basis for measuring a vehicle’s fuel consumption and emissions said … [Read more...]
Car makers warn of Brexit dangers ahead of Euro-summit
Ahead of the EU-Brexit summit this weekend, European automobile manufacturers and suppliers sounded the alarm over the potential damage that Brexit could do to the competitiveness of their industry, which represents 6.5% of EU’s GDP and provides employment to some 12.2 million Europeans across the continent. Automotive manufacturing is a highly complex industry. A single vehicle part may be … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 February
The Mercedes-AMG E 63 4MATIC+ is now available to order, with prices starting from £78,935. The E 63 S 4MATIC+ costs £88,295, while the E 63 S 4MATIC+ Edition 1 is available for £106,585 and first deliveries are in June. McLaren Automotive will create more than 200 jobs in Britain. It will bring production of its carbon-fibre chassis from Austria to Sheffield, with full production due to … [Read more...]