The European Union has imposed fines totalling €458m on fifteen car manufacturers for participating in a cartel that affected the recycling of end-of-life vehicles. Volkswagen received the largest fine at €127.69m, followed by Stellantis including Opel at €99.5m, Renault-Nissan at €81.46m, and Ford at €41.46m. The EU also fined the European Automobiles … [Read more...]
Driver who recorded ‘impossible’ victories has died
Brian Culcheth, who died 11 September at his home in Porlock after a brief illness, was a rally legend among British fans, especially on home internationals and included winning the 1978 British Rally Championship. His career as a professional driver began as a young member of Harrow Car Club and went on to see him become one of the most successful factory … [Read more...]
Newslines 6 September
A new European specific Kia Sportage will be unveiled at the German Motor Show this week and in UK showrooms next spring. A new plug-in hybrid variant will be in the line up when it comes to Britain next year and it features a curved screen for instruments and features to be displayed to the driver. Hagerty research suggests Government information on … [Read more...]
£100M electric models going to Ellesmere Port
A £100M investment is going into Ellesmere Port, Cheshire vehicle plant of Vauxhall parent Stellantis to build pure electric vans and people carriers in 2022. It lost the next Astra car project but has secured the new investment to build models for Stellantis brands of Vauxhall, Opel, Peugeot and Citroen and will be exporting most of the production to … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 February
SsangYong Motors UK will support the world’s premier three-day equestrian event, Badminton Horse Trials, from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 May, 2020, after Mitsubishi withdrew their 28 years backing for the event. Its vehicle provision at Badminton Horse Trials will commence this year, illustrating the perfect synergy between SsangYong Motors and the Trials, … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 August
Aston Martin is preparing to sell shares in its business, which includes the new car assembly plant in St Athan, west of Cardiff. After years of sustained losses, Aston Martin is expected to float on the London Stock Exchange in a few weeks and analysts say it could be valued at £5 Billion. Cardiff and Vale College is offering a series of auto-repair … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 July
Opel will give evidence to German authorities investigating emissions tampering. About 60,000 diesel models with Euro6 engines are thought to be affected and NOx limits are reported to be ten-times statutory levels. Bosch has been ordered to hand over e-mails with Porsche over software settings for engine management. Investors taking court action … [Read more...]
Tradelines 20 June
France will become the centre of electric vehicle developments and future models for the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance. The company will invest over a billion euros in Douai platforms manufacturing; Flins ZOE production; Cleon electric motor assembly and Maubeuge CV production. Opel/Vauxhall will take on the global responsibility for the … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 June
Mercedes-Benz has further expanded the E-Class range with a host of new petrol and diesel engines. The Mercedes-AMG E 53 4MATIC+ Coupé is available to buy from £62,835, while prices for the Cabriolet start at £69,285. Pricing for the CLS 53 4MATIC+ starts at £74,050. A significant milestone passed yesterday as the ‘key’ to the building that will house … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 November
Cardiff city centre could host a cycling event on Sunday 13 May 2018. It is one of the cities being considered and councilors will be expected to directly contribute £100,000 to the event or “value in kind”, and they will discuss on Thursday, after a cycling lobby has called for more roadspace to protect them. BMW has lost an appeal to a Swiss court … [Read more...]