New state-of-the-art test facilities have been installed at MG Motor UK’s Longbridge site demonstrating commitment to the future and the quality of its products. £1.2 million has been invested to install a fifth engine test facility and to further enhance the vehicle rolling road on-site at MG HQ in Longbridge. German vehicles sales fell in July, … [Read more...]
VW Passat is powering up for future
The new Volkswagen Passat GTE will offer drivers the very best of all worlds. A winner in the Large Family Car class in the recent Next Green Car Awards even before its showroom debut, the new Passat GTE is available to order with prices starting at £36,525, excluding Government Plug-In Car Grant of £2,500. The first Passat with a state-of-the-art plug-in … [Read more...]
Crafter takes to the streets
There is an all new Volkswagen Crafter van on the streets. The clear objective when designing and engineering the all-new Crafter was to produce a customer-focused transport solution, offering high economy and low total cost of ownership. To that end it was developed precisely in line with the specific demands and requirements of … [Read more...]
EU put pressure on VW to compensate buyers
Europe's Commissioner for Justice is working with EU consumer groups to pressure Volkswagen to compensate buyers in Europe as it has in the United States over the diesel emissions scandal. The German carmaker has pledged up to $15.3 billion to compensate 475,000 owners of VW diesel-powered cars, but has so far rejected such calls for the 8.5 million … [Read more...]
Trade lines 13 July
The UK Government has started talks to resolve legal issues surrounding autonomous cars. Changes to the law and advice on driving as well as insurance requirements will be discussed so the system can be introduced by 2020. Romania says it’s talking to two un-named car makers to establish assembly plants in the country. Ford and Dacia are already … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 June
Aston Martin has lost money for the fifth year in a row. It reported a pre-tax loss of £127.9 million in 2015 as the number of cars it sold fell below expectations, and it invested in expansion, including its new Welsh factory plans and in 2014, the company reported a pre-tax loss of £71.8 million and said that it had sold 3,615 cars last year, down from … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 June
Volkswagen will pay owners of its polluting diesel cars in the U.S. up to $7,000, and agree to fund a grant program to offset air pollution, under a $10 billion (£6.9 billion) settlement being negotiated for submission to a federal judge next week. VW will provide cash payments worth between $1,000 and $7,000, depending on the vehicle’s age and other … [Read more...]
Big shake up for small cars in Europe
The small car market in Europe is facing a shake up. Volkswagen Group will stop producing more than 40 car models as part of a new strategy, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported. VW said last week it would invest billions of euros in electric cars, ride-hailing and automated driving to become a world leader in green transport by 2025 as it reshapes … [Read more...]
Car makers bid for technology to grow sales
Profit pressed car makers are increasingly turning to technology to grow business. Renault-Nissan will begin hiring at least 300 tech experts this month, joining other automakers in trying to lure staff away from Silicon Valley. Most recruits will be software engineers with experience in vehicle connectivity and mobility services, a category that … [Read more...]
Newslines 6 May
UK police forces have spent nearly £400,000 in the last five years repairing their fleets after officers misfuelled patrol cars, according to an exclusive Auto Express investigation. Since 2011, there have been 2,147 incidents, more than one a day at an average repair cost of over £181 and the problem is getting worse, with the figures in the 2015 … [Read more...]
