BMW will build its X1 SUV at a Dutch contract manufacturer that also produces some of the automaker's Mini models. The new X1 production will begin in August at the VDL Nedcar plant in Born, Netherlands, and global markets will be served from here and Regensburg, German plant. Meanwhile, Toyota will add 400 jobs to build more SUVs at one of its US plants, highlighting its expansion plans … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 January
Despite all its diesel issues and bad publicity, Volkswagen ended 2016 as the world’s best selling group. It knocked Toyota from top spot and the merged Renault-Nissan company was third with Hyundai in fourth place, GM beat Ford followed by Honda and Fiat Chrysler and top marques were completed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and Suzuki. A South Korean court sentenced an executive of Volkswagen … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 December
The proposed joint venture EV platform underpinning next generation Nissan LEAF and Renault Zoe models will be used by Mitsubishi as well, says Japanese media. Mitsubishi was recently acquired by Nissan after it got into financial difficulties and has its own EV platform in the Outlander, so the future models to carry its tri-diamond badge are unknown. European makers did better than the EU … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 December
Between £15,000 and £20,000 has been raised from the auction of old Aberystwyth street signs, which were replaced with Edwardian-style versions. About 150 people attended the auction at The Coliseum, Ceredigion Museum, as more than 200 signs went under the hammer this week. Network Rail believes it will take 28 years to get the Welsh rail system up to standard, Economy Secretary Ken Skates … [Read more...]
Newslines 5 November
Some previous generation versions of the Vauxhall Corsa are being recalled. The 1.4 Turbo versions run to 2767 built between 2006 and 2014 and it’s to inspect and modify the vacuum pump relay box which can catch fire if water gets in, as highlighted in a BBC Watchdog report this week. Almost half of firms (44%) believe the UK’s infrastructure has improved over the past five years, but only a … [Read more...]
Status quo shouldn’t rock the boat
Japanese car markers want to maintain the current business environment and the alleviation of the impact of any radical changes so that the UK remains an attractive destination for doing business, says leading automotive economist Prof Garel Rhys. The “alleviation” includes Government compensation for any tariff imposed on its vehicles exported to the EU and any levies imposed on parts imported … [Read more...]
UK car making grows & Toyota back Britain
The British Government has been right to back Nissan in the North East, says leading automotive economist Prof Garel Rhys. The massive car plant at Sunderland employs about 6,700 people but the "multiplier" effect through the supplier chain of component makers and related businesses almost exclusively dependent on the plant mean they pay about 33,000 people. "Whatever is said about the deal … [Read more...]
Newslines 14 October
The major route through West Wales will be closed this weekend. The A48 will close in both directions from the Nantycaws turning to Carmarthen from 19:00 on Friday until 06:00 Monday for emergency work needed to repair a leaking kerosene spill from a national pipeline under the dual carriageway road and diversions will be signposted along the former A48 single carriageway road into Carmarthen … [Read more...]
Tradelines 5 October
The cost of unleaded petrol and diesel crept up again in September, as a result of rising world oil prices putting upward pressure on the wholesale cost of both fuels, says RAC Fuel Watch. The average cost of a litre of petrol ended the month at 112.07p, and diesel averaged 113.34p per litre, the highest average price since August 2015, and up 0.42p while supermarket prices both rose faster … [Read more...]
Dacia voted better quality buy than Land Rover
The 2016 Which? Car Survey, the largest of its type in the UK, reveals premium brand Land Rover ranking among the least dependable cars on the market and budget brand Dacia breaking into the top five. The annual Which? Car Survey, measuring reliability and customer satisfaction, is based on feedback from 59,387 UK car owners. As well as breakdowns, it considers repair costs, the … [Read more...]