A Motor Ombudsman poll of independent garages and franchise dealer workshops has revealed that rising operational costs, taxes and energy bills are set to be the biggest operational challenge for 90% of businesses in 2023. This is a marked increase on the 64% of respondents who stated in the same study that paying more for utilities and higher costs had reduced overall business profitability … [Read more...]
Filling stations’ fears over rising energy costs
Filling stations are extremely worried about soaring energy costs, said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association. "While we are encouraged by the Government’s recognition of this issue through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, we are concerned that it will not be enough to mitigate the long-term effects of price increases.” Earlier this month, Prime Minister Liz Truss … [Read more...]
Filling stations taking motorists for a ride, says RAC Fuel Watch
Drivers endured yet more pump price rises last month with retailers adding on average another 3.1p to a litre of unleaded and 2.7p to diesel, even though wholesale costs of both fuels were already lower and suddenly dropped even further, according to new analysis by RAC Fuel Watch. Despite wholesale petrol prices tumbling 10p in November to their lowest levels since September, retailers … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 September
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will tomorrow unveil its detailed plans for a pure electric model before the end of this decade. The company has already said what priorities it will use to launch the model when it is right for their customers and the recharging infrastructure exists to support the car, after showing a concept several months ago. Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Technology … [Read more...]
Breakdowns rising and worst places in Wales
Analysis of RAC data confirms suspicions that car use by drivers in the UK has not fallen to the same extent as it did during the first coronavirus lockdown in March 2020. During the first week of the latest lockdown, data from RAC Black Box Insurance customers shows there were on average 10% more cars in daily use than during the first week of March’s lockdown, leading to 31% more daily miles … [Read more...]
Filling stations win rates reprieve bonanza
Filling stations are in for a summer bonanza with repaid business rates after a Supreme Court ruling. The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of retailers, meaning that they will now be rightly owed around £500 million in business rates refunds, said Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association. He was speaking after the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision on wednesday that ATMs … [Read more...]