Lotus sports cars will be assembled in China, a dramatic turnaround plan revealed. The Norfolk business with about 1,000 UK staff was sold as part of its Proton parent to Geely Holdings, who also own Volvo and London Black Cab taxi makers, but it’s not known what will happen to the existing Hethel plant. Volkswagen Group has agreed to buy back some diesel cars in Germany equipped with … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 June
The New Land Rover Discovery has continued its predecessor’s incredible Tow Car Awards winning streak, having been named as the overall winner for 2017. It is an accolade the previous Discovery had been awarded nine times over the previous ten years, culminating in it being chosen as Tow Car of the Decade in 2016. Volkswagen Group will offer an extra two-year guarantee but no compensation to … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 June
First Minister Carwyn Jones yesterday opened the £57 million Eastern Bay dual carriageway link road in Cardiff. Ffordd Ewart Parkinson is named after the late Cardiff engineer and planner, Ewart Parkinson, will improve links to Cardiff Bay, reducing journey times and helping to ease congestion in the city centre so improving access to the Central Cardiff Enterprise Zone and connectivity across … [Read more...]
Newslines 15 May
Affluent buyers are most likely to search websites for a Ferrari than any other brand. Next most popular was Lamborghini with Jaguar in third place, reports analyst Captify. Better driver training is a clear way to reduce fleet insurance premiums, says Arval. Average premiums are up 8% this year and companies should embed road safety into the corporate culture, says the leasing … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: VW Beetle at 80
The iconic Volkswagen Beetle is about to turn 80, but still looks and feels young, says David Miles. With more and more volume produced cars these days looking more and more alike, there are very few iconic core designs left to tempt those owners who do not want run-of-the mill designs, they are independent minded, aloof to what is the latest must-have - me-too fashionable car, hatchback, SUV … [Read more...]
Tradelines 26 April
Kia Motors (UK) Limited President and Chief Executive Paul Philpott completed his first London Marathon in support of The Children’s Trust. He recorded a time for the course of four hours and 17 minutes and raised £37,000 for the charity and Customer Service Manager Sonia Appleby managed the course in five hours and five minutes for the Shooting Star Chase children’s hospice and brought in … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 April
SAIC Motor said it will begin sales of MG cars in mainland Europe at the end of 2019. MG cars have been sold in the UK since 2011 but SAIC delayed plans to launch in the rest of Europe after UK sales remained slow but now MG's rollout will include the majority of European markets and will focus on SUVs, subcompact hatchbacks and compact hatchbacks. A Detroit judge sentenced Volkswagen to … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 April
Volvo has chosen China to build its first EV. The Chinese owned prestige car maker will create a new model for the family and it’s likely to be sold world-wide. You can meet world speed challenger Richard Noble and the Bloodhound SSC team members at their Bristol technical centre on Monday 1 May. There’s even a simulator of the car destined to be the fastest ever on earth which you can … [Read more...]
Tradelines 19 April
Aston Martin has announced a three-year partnership with Glamorgan CC, which includes support for all the age-grade teams from Cricket Wales. Huw Mitchell, Commercial Partnerships Manager at Glamorgan County Cricket Club, said, “We are delighted to be working with such an iconic British company as Aston Martin and very proud that they have chosen to support Glamorgan Cricket and the development … [Read more...]
Fiat emissions probe intensifies as VW payout
German investigators say they have found a new "defeat device" in a Fiat car during emissions tests. The ministry declined to give details but said it would send the results to the European Commission, which has reviewed a previous emissions case involving Fiat. Fiat has always denied its cars were equipped with an illegal emissions test cheating device and said it fully complied with … [Read more...]