Ford’s new all-electric crossover SUV, the Mustang Mach-E, bears little resemblance to the 5-litre muscle car with which it shares its name. While its sports-car stablemate struggled to gain three stars in 2017, the Mustang Mach-E firmly secures a top five-star rating against the latest test requirements in the EuoNCAP programme. The car comes equipped with a centre airbag, deployable bonnet … [Read more...]
£230M investment saves Ford Halewood jobs
Ford Halwood plant will get a £230M investment to produce electric powertrain components in two years for the company's European EV fleet. An undisclosed amount of that has come from the UK Government and it will safeguard about 500 jobs on Merseyside which have been under threat as the industry moves from internal combustion engined cars and vans to pure electric models by 2030. Ford has … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Ford Kuga ST-Line X Edition PHEV
Ford has been a bit slow pushing into the hybrid sector, but I think it's been worth the wait to drive the Kuga PHEV. The highly popular SUV behind the blue-oval badge has been well designed and developed for today's buyers of family cars who want to have as few compromises as possible but also need a good range. The recent petrol fuel shortages meant the car's reasonable electric only … [Read more...]
September registrations worst for over two decades
New car registrations collapsed to a 22 year low last month due to the semi-conductor shortage delaying scores of models' introduction. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported sales plummeted 34.4% year on year in September – traditionally one of the busiest months for the industry after the March new-plate change. Just 214,312 new cars were registered with the latest plate … [Read more...]
VW Group pull off most towcar awards
The SEAT Leon Estate FR 1.5TSI 150PS has won this year’s overall trophy and also triumphed in the Caravan Weight 1100 – 1200kg category in the 39th Caravan and Motorhome Club Towcar of the Year Competition. Winning for a second year in a row in the 1100-1200kg caravan weight class, Leon Estate proved it was not only best-in-class for towing, but worthy of earning the prestigious title of … [Read more...]
End of the road for some familiar cars, say Vehicle Contracts
Motor leasing company Vehicle Contracts has conducted in-depth research to find out which car models are expected to disappear completely from UK roads in the next decade and there are a few surprises. The Rover 25, the update of the Rover 200 Series, could be gone from the UK by mid-2023. This iconic car which was created by Rover was a staple in the ‘90s and ‘00s but sadly, only has a … [Read more...]
£1.8M Ford legacy fund sparks new Welsh investment
A new £1.8m fund to encourage businesses to move beyond manufacturing internal combustion engines to producing low carbon vehicle technologies, helping to stimulate innovative economic growth in Wales, is being established by Ford and the Welsh Government. The Ford Low Carbon Vehicle Transition Fund, administered by the Welsh Government as part of Ford’s legacy in Wales after … [Read more...]
What Car? reliability reports throw up surprises
The UK’s most and least reliable new and used cars have been revealed in the 2021 What Car? Reliability Survey from Britain’s leading new car buying platform and consumer champion. Feedback from more than 16,000 car owners was analysed to find the country’s most dependable 178 models and 30 brands aged up to five years old. A record six models achieved 100%: the current versions of the Audi TT, … [Read more...]
Britain’s best vans carry off plaudits
Vanarama has carried out an in-depth study to uncover the most reliable vans and pick-up trucks. It compiled data from warranty claims, MoT tests, and specialist media's survey of van operators. Budget Small Van Winner – Fiat Doblo RRP starting from £13,995 Perhaps coming as a surprise to some, the Fiat Doblo scored very well in Vanarama’s analysis of reliability. In a survey of the … [Read more...]
Newslines 6 August
SEAT has upgraded specifications on its latest Ateca and Tarraco SUVs. Improved pre-crash assist safety comes to the Ateca Xperience Lux while the Tarraco SE now features Connect and Adaptive Cruise Control with prices from £24,560 and £30,080 respectively. Hyundai has launched a new all-in-one monthly subscription service for its line-up of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric models. … [Read more...]