General Motors will invest an additional $1 billion (£807.82 million) in its U.S. factories in 2017 and will move some parts production from Mexico to the United States that was previously handled by a supplier. The investments are in addition to the $2.9 billion the automaker announced last year, GM said and follow heavy criticism of the car maker by incoming US president Trump, who has also … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford KA+ Zetec
Babies have a habit of growing up, just like the new Ford KA+. From its origins as a compact city car in 1996 we have seen it develop in 2008 into a convertible and sporting model and in 2014 the third generation KA+ was launched with an extra 7.5 inches wheelbase, and it came to the UK in 2016. It is a simple Studio and Zetec trimmed three-car range from under £9,000 to almost £10,300, … [Read more...]
From Monaco to Maesteg, Ford Fiesta is top
Maesteg is motor-city for the Ford Fiesta in Britain. You're most likely to see some of the 40-versions of the car since 1976 on the streets of the South Wales town, and they are among the safest drivers. The popularity of the Ford Fiesta has been uncovered by analysis of policies held by Welsh-based insurer Admiral and the study was undertaken to co-incide with the fact that the super-mini … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 January
National breakdown cover provider Green Flag expect over 80,000 breakdowns to take place on British roads over the next three days - a 16 per cent increase on an average weekend following severe thundersnow warnings across Britain. Today will be busiest with anticipated 36,211 calls and a further 24,771 tomorrow before Sunday closes with 20,588 requests. US car and pickup sales hit an all … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 January
Despite all its diesel issues and bad publicity, Volkswagen ended 2016 as the world’s best selling group. It knocked Toyota from top spot and the merged Renault-Nissan company was third with Hyundai in fourth place, GM beat Ford followed by Honda and Fiat Chrysler and top marques were completed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and Suzuki. A South Korean court sentenced an executive of Volkswagen … [Read more...]
Car market is thermometer of UK economy
It has been a year of ups and downs for the economy. The first half of 2016 was dominated by uncertainty in the lead up to the EU Referendum, which caused many businesses to halt investing and hiring until the result of the vote was known. Once the result for Brexit was confirmed, this understandably shook the economy and caused several industries to dip amongst further uncertainty of our … [Read more...]
Ford power up huge EV drive
An hybrid-electric Ford Mustang is on the way. Leading US seller of EVs and technology is no longer untested, said CEO Mark Fields in webcast this afternoon. Interest is growing and technology makes them better in so many ways, for better cvs, sports cars and performance. Ford invested $4.5 Billion in five years and announced expansion at Flat Rock. Michigan but he went further and said … [Read more...]
New Year’s Day drive: Ford Edge Titanium 210
There are no certainties in life but with official UK new vehicle sales figures not due to be released until Friday it is already likely that Ford will again top the sales chart for 2016 and the commercial vehicle league as well, writes David Miles. Also most likely is the fact that in 2016 Brits will have bought more SUVs/4x4s/Crossovers than in 2015 when 355,118 were sold … [Read more...]
UK automotive and engine production hit records
Car, engine, van, lorry and bus making is soaring in Britain. The falling value of the pound has helped exports because our vehicles have become cheaper to buy abroad and if manufacturers buy more component parts here they will cut import costs, exchange rate charges and make more money. UK car manufacturing output reached its highest level since 1999 in November, with almost 170,000 … [Read more...]
“Right” & “wrong” cars curb house sales
If you're browsing the Sunday papers housing pages today, you could be a victim of a little appreciated fact that over a third of Brits would be put off a property by the cars parked outside. School catchment areas and transport links often come high on the list of factors when choosing a property, but new research shows that over a third (36%) of us would be but put off renting or buying a … [Read more...]