Sinclair Van Centre Swansea and Anthony Motors Aberystwyth have won top awards from Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in the UK. The Swansea business was recognised for its sales performance while in Aberystwyth it was praised as the most improved operation in the network of 63 sales outlets and 33 repairers. The price of fuel on the UK’s forecourts rose by … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 January
Our buying habits are changing with hybrids now up over 304% in ten years through insurance searches says comparethemarket, followed by city cars and then electric models, which are just ahead of seven-seaters and SUVs. Steepest decline in buyers have been sports cars, mpvs, coupes, convertibles and pure 4WD models. Burgeoning demand for the fully electric … [Read more...]
A plan for saving automotive jobs in Wales
Welsh Government and councils must prioritise supporting Tata Steel Port Talbot and Toyota Deeside, according to a far reaching report prepared for the Welsh Automotive Forum. The report by Ian Henry, head of Autoanalysis, follows similar studies he has carried out for WAF in recent years but his final conclusions have been published against … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 May
A survey by the Welsh Automotive Forum of local supply chain companies shows 88% expect May turnover to be reduced by more than 50%. Even for July, 38% expect turnover to be 30%+ reduced on pre-COVID-19 levels. RAC patrols rescued some 3,426 motorists whose vehicles may have fallen victim to the UK’s pothole-ridden roads in the first three months of 2020, … [Read more...]
Breathing new life into Ford Bridgend Engine Plant
Ford Bridgend Engine Plant may be ordered to make components for medical ventilators in the UK Government's fight against the coronavirus. The 1.1 million sqft plant is due to close at the end of this year and it's stopped making Ford engines but continues assembling petrol engines for Jaguar Land Rover and the disease has hit already flagging car sales … [Read more...]
Turning sound into electricity is a class apart
The EESW Student of the Year Award is a celebration of the students who participated in the EESW Sixth Form Project last year, in memory of Dr Tom Parry Jones, entrepreneur, inventor, and trustee of the scheme for over 20 years. Over 500 Year 12 students who participated in the scheme last year were invited to apply to become the EESW Student of the Year, … [Read more...]
New plan to energise Welsh automotive sector
A new plan to energise the automotive industry and help it meet future challenges is being developed by the Welsh Government. Economy Minister Ken Skates will outline the new plan at an Automotive Summit at Hensol Castle later today and hours before the Welsh sector's annual networking dinner, where the keynote speaker will be Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy … [Read more...]
Ford Task Force to be chaired by Prof Richard Parry-Jones
Chairman of the Welsh Automotive Forum, Professor Richard Parry-Jones CBE, will Chair the Taskforce to support Ford workers and help secure their future following the company’s decision to close their operation in Bridgend from Autumn 2020, Economy Minister Ken Skates announced today. The former Ford Motor Company's chief engineer and a prominent and … [Read more...]
Ford face triple dilemma at Bridgend
Global demand for the Ford triple-cylinder EcoBoost petrol engine is lower than expected and driven the decision to close its production line in Bridgend next February. Stuart Rowley, president, Ford of Europe (right), in a conference call said the employees and management at Bridgend Engine Plant had done all they possibly could to support Dragon … [Read more...]
What Brexit means to Welsh automotive businesses
Welsh Government and the Welsh Automotive Forum have been looking at the implications of a no-deal Brexit and produced guidance notes for businesses. UK import tariffs in a no-deal scenario - The Government has published details of the UK’s temporary tariff regime for no deal. The regime would be temporary, and the Government would closely monitor the … [Read more...]
