It is positive that despite the significant disruption faced over the past twelve months, dealers are on average fairly satisfied with the relationship with their respective manufacturers, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. Average levels of dealer satisfaction with the support received through the pandemic by … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus RX 450h Takumi
The Lexus brand came to SUV prominence in 1998, actually year 2000 in the UK with the introduction of the original RX as a luxury, comfortable easy to drive large SUV, writes David Miles. Now in its fourth generation spanning two decades the petrol-electric hybrid RX 450h 5-seater and RX L limousine style 6 or 7-seater premium large SUVs have received … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 December
Toyota and Lexus models roll off production lines at the rate of 19.9 models a minute. Moneyshake analysed the makers and found Volkswagen Group built 19.8 cars a minute, Hyundai 13.7, GM 13.0 and Ford 12.2 per minute but they fade into the background when all China makers churn out 48.9 cars a minute, more than double the rate in the US. Honda Swindon … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Lexus UX 250h Takumi E-four AWD
Lexus has shaken up the UK car market in every sector it’s entered and with the latest UX urban SUV its challenge intensifies, writes Robin Roberts. Intended as an introduction to the Lexus range, the UX is their first contemporary compact SUV with the urban driver in mind rather than the country living/ loving driver who needs a serious off-roader. That’s … [Read more...]
Handrakes are slipping says survey
Traditional mechanical parking brakes are slackening their appeal and dying out as car manufacturers ditch them in favour of electronic parking brakes, according to CarGurus. It found that just 24% of new cars on sale in the UK today come with a manually operated handbrake, falling even further from 30% recorded last year. Some popular … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news 17 May
Another week has gone by and here I am still keeping calm and carrying on despite very mixed messages from our Government about what we can or should do during now it appears slightly relaxed semi lock-down period, says David Miles. But no longer is it the same rules in each of our four domestic countries, so that's really clear. With no sign of new … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road & in the news 10 May
I’m still keeping calm and carrying on sifting through the latest automotive news items and press releases pinging into my Inbox, writes David Miles. Whilst the COVIC-19 news is not good there are some brighter worthwhile snippets of information worth passing on. New life goes on - Toyota Corolla proves reliant for Robins We motoring journalists during … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road and in the news
With the motoring media world in lockdown, the supply of new models and new model test driving events are all cancelled so instead of road test reviews we are keeping the wheels turning by covering some news items you might just have missed, says David Miles. Adversity is driving innovation at Skoda Virtual showrooms in the car sales industry is not a new … [Read more...]
Newslines 10 March
Six-in-10 UK drivers (59%) want the new Chancellor to bolster spending on the country’s crumbling local road infrastructure in the Budget by ringfencing 2p from every litre of petrol and diesel sold without increasing duty rates, according to an RAC survey of 3,200 drivers. In fact drivers feel so strongly about the need to increase spending on maintaining … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 October
The first electric Mazda MX-30 will go on sale in Britain in about 15 months. The five-door model will have a range between recharges of about 125 miles. A pure battery-powered Lexus will be unveiled next year, the company revealed at this week’s Tokyo Motor Show. It is part of a new product offensive which will also include petrol electric hybrids and … [Read more...]
