After the chaos of last autumn’s new engine emissions tests, car makers are preparing and bracing for even tougher legislation covering stationary vehicles, and which could be more favourable to diesel models. Volkswagen Group's sales chief Christian Dahlheim said that to pass the latest tests nearly all engine-transmission variations will again have to go through "time consuming" WLTP … [Read more...]
Diesel shortages beginning to show, prices rising
New diesel car sales are falling so quickly that there could be shortages of them on the used market in the near future, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation – which represent companies that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 million used vehicles every year – says that while new car diesel demand has plummeted, corresponding used demand has stayed … [Read more...]
Sunday drives: Unsettling ride for motor industry
Seated at my keyboard responding to a request to write a review of the year from the 100 or so new or updated cars we have tried and tested this year, it’s difficult to know where to begin, says David Miles. 2018 started on a poor note with the fallout from the Volkswagen Group emissions scandal still continuing and it seems other brands were guilty as well. This has dampened customer … [Read more...]
Medium-term rental drive by Meridian
A new business drive into the corporate fleet market is being planned in 2019 by medium-term rental specialist Meridian Vehicle Solutions. So far, the company has worked almost entirely through leasing and fleet management companies as intermediaries, white labelling their product for more well-known brands. Phil Jerome, managing director, explained, “While we expect that working these … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 November
Following a relatively mild November so far, forecasters have warned that the cold weather coming in from the east might bring sleet and snow to parts of the UK. With temperatures likely to drop below freezing, reaching as low as -2, in parts of country, Green Flag is predicting a staggering 44,800 breakdowns to occur in the run up to the weekend. Indian ride-hailing business Ola has … [Read more...]
Winter car sales need booster injection
The UK new car market declined again in October, with 153,599 vehicles registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Deliveries fell by -2.9% in the month, as model changes and backlogs at test houses conducting tough new WLTP emissions certification continued to cause shortages across some brands. Wales bucked the trend with a 6% rise to 5,721 new cars … [Read more...]
Trick and treat claims over Budget review
There have been very mixed reactions to yesterday's Government spending review. The BVRLA has welcomed the Government’s decision to conduct an urgent review into the impact of WLTP on Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax. In today’s Budget it was announced that the review would report back in time for the Chancellor’s 2019 Spring Statement. Commenting on the news, BVRLA Chief Executive … [Read more...]
Brakes applied to car sales across Europe
The European car market recorded the highest monthly decline of the last decade in September 2018, as 1.12 million vehicles were registered – 343,000 less than in September 2017, JATO reported. The drop follows August’s inflated results, which were boosted by an increase in business registrations and stock clearances ahead of the introduction of WLTP on the 1 September. Despite August’s … [Read more...]
Used prices rising as new cars stall
Nearly new car prices are escalating in the wake of a shortage of new cars due to tougher emissions tests in factories. Prices in the used vehicle sector are being artificially inflated post-WLTP as competition hots up amongst buyers for nearly new and ex-fleet stock according to Shoreham Vehicle Auctions. And they are likely to stay this way until Spring 2019 as the used car market … [Read more...]
Car makers concerns over new tailpipe-targets
Car makers are worried about EU imposed emissions and electrification targets and the prospect of random on-road tests being conducted at any time, writes Robin Roberts. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has voiced its serious concerns about the outcome of the European Parliament’s plenary vote on future CO2 reduction targets for cars and vans. “We remain particularly … [Read more...]