A more advanced and technically refined Ford Mustang for Europe has been unveiled. It features enhanced 450PS 5.0V8 engine with 10-speed automatic, revised suspension, safety systems and improved equipment but it will be at least six months before the new series hits European roads. PSA will share its EV knowledge and experience with newly acquired … [Read more...]
Tradelines 2 August
The UK’s first Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies will manage the National Chargepoint Registry (NCR), working in partnership with green energy software systems specialist Apetrel Systems and funded by the UK government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles. The upgrades to the NCR will help to ensure that the information on chargepoints in the … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Vauxhall Astra Elite diesel hatch
You could be forgiven for wondering how conservative Vauxhall would emerge as one of Britain’s Brexit champions with its Astra. This family focused five-door hatch and sports tourer is now in its seventh generation and rolling off the Ellesmere Port production lines bound for British and European markets, and it’s also pushing out Opel-badged … [Read more...]
Newslines 13 June
Plaid Cymru has called for an investigation into the Welsh Government handling of the Circuit of Wales project. The £425 M project has been beset with difficulties over the last few years and Wales Audit Office has criticised Cardiff Bay giving a £9 M investment loan, and now there is disagreement over when there was suggestion of a partially funded … [Read more...]
Newslines 7 April
The Western European passenger car market is said to have grown by 10.3% y/y during March, according to IHS Markit forecasts. The different timing of Easter between 2016 and 2017 has been a big driver to the growth during March, but other factors in key markets have also come into play and IHS Markit is forecasting a slowdown and a consolidation of … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 March
Analysis of Porsche trading figures revealed by Automotive News Europe show the company made almost £14,000 profit on each model sold around the world last year. By contrast, Daimler and BMW made about a third of that return. French investigators have cleared Opel of any diesel emissions cheating in its testing operations. But the watchdog has sent … [Read more...]
PSA & Opel Vauxhall becoming powerful players, say analysts
Following the announcement that PSA will take over GM's Opel/Vauxhall operations in Europe, IHS Markit explores the potential impact on PSA's powertrain strategy in this special feature. Implications: Although plans for diesel are likely to be reasonably simple, PSA could go in several directions on gasoline, electrification and … [Read more...]
PSA will buy Vauxhall, it is confirmed
PSA Peugeot Citroen will buy GM Europe, it has been confirmed and announced this morning. Vauxhall and Opel will come under the same control as Peugeot, Citroen and DS in the £1.9 Billion deal. Now there will be detailed due diligence discussions before the final contracts are signed, possibly in a year’s time. The deal is unlikely to see any … [Read more...]
UK concerns over Vauxhall plants
Britain has contacted the president of General Motors to express concerns after the American firm opened talks to sell its European operations, including the Vauxhall plants in England, to France's PSA Group. The Department for Business said the government remained in close contact with GM and was monitoring the situation after the two companies said on … [Read more...]
Vauxhall face PSA merger deal to cut costs for firms
Vauxhall is facing the prospect of a merger with French vehicle maker PSA Peugeot Citroen. The British company’s parent and co-owner of Opel, General Motors, wants to divest itself of its two European operations. Vauxhall Opel and PSA have for five years collaborated on SUV and LCV projects but now their tie up could become more extensive and would … [Read more...]
