An action plan to unlock the potential of electric vehicles and battery technology and enable Europe to meet its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 has been unveiled today. The proposals are designed to increase renewable energy generation, electric vehicle ownership and the integration of vehicles with power grids across European countries. The project has been detailed in a new White … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Micra Tekna IG-T100 CVT auto
The 100hp turbo petrol engine is perky in performance and the design of the five-door supermini sized hatchback body is blindingly more eye-catching than the previous four generations of Micra which have been served up since 1983, writes David Miles. Most recently Nissan further revised some of the power units available in the updated range and these EU6 compliant units include a … [Read more...]
Tradelines 13 November
Nissan profits have collapsed by 70% in three months. It made $278M to the end of September with retail sales down 7.5% globally, European registrations slid 23% but sales showed a steadying picture in America. JLR is looking for partners to share new technology and other costs, say media reports. BMW and Zhejiang Geely are mentioned but others may be approached to assist market improvements in … [Read more...]
Mardenborough heads Gamer team
Gamer to racer Jann Mardenborough from Cardiff will bring his unique expertise to the World’s Fastest Gamer judging panel during the finals. Mardenborough previously won Nissan’s GT Academy competition, transitioning from Gran Turismo gamer to full-time racing driver in 2011. In his very first year of real-world competition, Mardenborough won the British GT round at Brands Hatch. He … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 October
Over 50 BMW models, two from Rolls-Royce and a Toyota Supra are among 257,473 new cars recalled by US safety experts. All have been fitted since 2018 with a reversing camera which may not show any image due to a fault in the system settings, although the camera is working. As part of Vauxhall’s ongoing commitment to reduce CO2 emissions, the manufacturer has revealed information on the … [Read more...]
Nissan Qashqai future uncertain in Sunderland
The next Nissan Qashqai’s future in Sunderland plant is in doubt and the plant faces possible closure. That’s the stark warning over a possible no-deal Brexit for the UK at the end of this month, say media reports but unconfirmed by Nissan. It was opened in 1986 and has built Micra and Qashqai models there as well as Infiniti versions of the brand’s up-market models. It still assembles the … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 September
It’s the end of the road for Honda diesel cars in Europe inside two years. The car maker said it will move towards electrically assisted models throughout its range by 2025. The Volkswagen Group is setting benchmarks in the development, testing and production of cutting-edge battery cell technology in Germany. In Salzgitter, Lower Saxony alone, over 1,000 jobs will be created by 2023/24 … [Read more...]
Car makers rising concerns over Brexit
European Union car-makers have joined forces to warn of billions of euros in losses in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Groups including the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and 17 national bodies warned of the impact of “no-deal” and the effect on 13.8 million people in the European Union including Britain. Last week, it was said … [Read more...]
Thrills for thousands in UK first low carbon rally in Wales
Thousands of shoppers, holidaymakers and sports enthusiasts saw some of the world’s most advanced cars in Swansea at the weekend for Britain’s first exclusively low carbon rally, writes Robin Roberts. Fuel cell models lined up with a wide range of battery electric vehicles from nearly every manufacturer selling in Britain to compete in the Green Dragon EV Rally and Show. Streets … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: Nissan Qashqai Tekna 1.3 DIG-T 160hp Auto
The British built Nissan Qashqai is today generally recognised as the founder of the Crossover vehicle market sector when it was launched in 2007, wrties David Miles. It offered SUV styling with family hatchback sizing and practicality with 2WD and 4WD traction options. But it was in fact the Matro Rancho launched in 1977 that brought the ‘off-road look’ to the family hatchback market at a … [Read more...]