West Wales car parts maker Calsonic Kansei has been bought out. The subsidiary of Nissan has been acquired by US firm of KKR & Co. in a deal said to be worth about £3.61 Billion. It beat out rival private equity firms Bain Capital and MBK Partners, which, according to Thomson Reuters LPC, had bid to buy Nissan's stake. Japan's second-biggest … [Read more...]
Renault show Megane ST & Skoda plan hybrid
The All-New Renault Mégane Sport Tourer is arriving in the UK this December. Based on the fourth generation Mégane that launched in the UK earlier this year, the All-New Mégane Sport Tourer with 521 litres bootspace is available to order from 1 December, priced from £18,550 on-the-road. Displaying Renault’s sensual design language, the All-New Mégane … [Read more...]
French probe Renault over emissions
Renault now faces a criminal investigation over its diesel emissions. The French government said that the country’s consumer fraud watchdog had sent prosecutors the findings of its independent inquiry into possible emissions test manipulation by Renault. The law in France means there has to now be a preliminary review of the issues before a formal … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 October
Transport bodies are warning of HM Customs and Border Force chaos if France insists on ending the mutual agreement to check identities and vehicles at Calais. The French are suggesting after the Jungle Camp is moved this week and inhabitants relocated through France that it might review the agreement on French officers working in Dover and English … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: New Renault Megane Dynamique 1.5 dCi 110
The all-new Megane is the fourth generation stretching back over 20 years with global sales of 6.5-million. The new five door hatchback range currently has 25 variants in its line up but that will be extended next year with the arrival of diesel-electric hybrid powered versions in addition to the current petrol and diesel powered models. Current prices … [Read more...]
EV sales charge to over 500K this year
Europe will see more than half a million electric vehicles on its roads by the end of 2016, says a report by Transport & Environment (T&E) . In three years the EV fleet on European roads has risen from 100,000 to almost 200,000 by 2014, and almost doubled again last year and is on course to end the year at 600,000 at current rates of acquisition … [Read more...]
In the cloud and on road technology around the corner
Renault and Nissan will work with Microsoft to develop cloud-based services for vehicles. The services will be based on Microsoft's Azure cloud service and will include advanced navigation, predictive maintenance and over-the-air software updates as the businesses move towards autonomous cars over the next four years. Renault and Nissan plan to launch … [Read more...]
Tradelines 3 September
Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s headquarters and Nagoya plant were raided by Japanese government officials this week. The raid comes after Mitsubishi said that more of its vehicle models were involved in a mileage cheating scandal than initially stated and deepens the crisis for the Japanese automaker struggling to recover from a mileage manipulation scandal … [Read more...]
Tradelines 24 August
Welsh Government is halving support it offers to firms for youth job creation. Jobs Growth Wales did offer 100% subsidy for firms to employ people aged between 16-24, but its now halved that and says it is part of a readjustment of activities to merge Jobs Growth Wales, ReAct and Traineeships. The RAC will take legal action to stop unaccredited garages … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 August
The basic Ford Fiesta has jumped from about £10,345 to £13,395 with Studio and Style models dropped from the range. It has been done to give Ford room to introduce the forthcoming Ka+ from under £9,000, but it could mean rival makers gain with dissatisfied Fiesta owners moving away from the brand to keenly priced alternatives. Renault is launching a … [Read more...]
