Ford and Volkswagen today confirmed they will begin a joint venture to build and share vans and pickups from 2022. They will join forces in a bid to reduce costs and create new ranges of electric and self-driving cars, they announced at the Detroit Motor Show. Sales will begin in 2022 and will boost profits from 2023 and “Over time, this alliance will help both companies create value and … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 January
Kia is the only brand in Britain’s top ten to improve on market share last year. The ninth placed Korean brand saw a growth of 2.7% with 95,746 registrations while market leader Ford suffered an 11.6% decline, although Nissan sales collapsed 32.1% in seventh place. Honda and Toyota have joined MINI and said they will suspend car production in April for a few days. It follows the car … [Read more...]
Job cuts to come, say Ford and Jaguar
Ford and Jaguar will be cutting jobs this year as they face severe losses. Exact numbers are not known today but last year workers at Bridgend Engine Plant were sent letters suggesting a possible voluntary redundancy programme this year after expectations of lower engine demands from vehicle assembly plants around the world. Unions in the South Wales plant said over 1,000 jobs might go and … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 January
A GT Sport Nav+ model has been added to the revised Mazda CX-5 range of 2WD and AWD models with petrol or diesel engines. All models now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto together with revised suspension but the new trim includes real wood and satin chrome fascia highlights, new interior lights and 19-inch bright alloys. Almost one-in-three new cars sold in Norway last year was pure … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Focus 1500 ST-LineX Auto
Britain’s best selling family car has just got better, and it’s going to get better still, writes Robin Roberts. The newest Ford Focus had barely arrived in showrooms in the autumn before changes were being made to benefit from the latest WLTP emissions legislation, so the 150ps version tested here is now replaced by a 182ps derivative in ST-Line X form. However, a number of the lower powered … [Read more...]
SUV sales soar, but not for every manufacturer
Global SUV sales rose 6% last year to a hit a staggering 60% over five years. Toyota dominated the sector with 2.35M registrations, Nissan recorded 2.24M and they were well ahead of a shrinking Honda holding 1.84M and falling due to the run-out of the CR-V. Despite its expansion in the sector, Ford sold just under 1.6M some 3.5% down on the 2017 total. Hyundai recorded a near 19% … [Read more...]
Sunday drives: Unsettling ride for motor industry
Seated at my keyboard responding to a request to write a review of the year from the 100 or so new or updated cars we have tried and tested this year, it’s difficult to know where to begin, says David Miles. 2018 started on a poor note with the fallout from the Volkswagen Group emissions scandal still continuing and it seems other brands were guilty as well. This has dampened customer … [Read more...]
Ford are most financed used cars, says lender
The Ford Fiesta has topped the list of cars financed in the UK, according to data from Close Brothers Motor Finance. The firm family favourite is followed by the Ford Focus and the Volkswagen Golf. More than 2.2 million new cars have been sold in the UK so far this year, and there have been more than 6 million used car transactions. Consumers have never had so much choice, and the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 12 December
Wales Environmental Ltd is switching to an entirely Mercedes-Benz trucks fleet. The waste and drainage business established in 1980 has previously used a mixture of pre-owned vehicles but for reliability and over-night service decided to move into MB models based in north and south Wales as renewal programmes are rolled out. Over £2,000 was raised for BEN by guests at the Welsh Automotive … [Read more...]
Newslines 11 December
SEAT has now opened for ordering on its first large SUV and new flagship model, Tarraco, coming to Britain early 2019. The seven-seater, which sits above Arona and Ateca to complete the Spanish brand’s SUV line-up, is attracting attention with its high level of standard spec: metallic paint, 17” Alloys, DAB, alarm and Full Link for just £28,320. Alex Smith is to return to Volkswagen Group UK … [Read more...]