The love affair with electric cars is dimming. Figures released by Europe's car makers show sales of pure electric cars went down in May and buyers were inclined towards petrol hybrid models. This is leading to a scramble among car makers to move BEVs with discounts and other incentives while also ramping up sales of hybrids to keep money flowing into their banks. Legislation to force car … [Read more...]
Measuring degradation and demand for used EVs
Battery health checks and their impact on the used electric vehicle market will be the main discussion at the July member meeting of the Vehicle Remarketing Association. Being held at Cox Automotive in Bruntingthorpe, Leicestershire on Thursday 25 July, it will include contributions from battery health experts Aviloo, Altellium and Clearwatt, as well as the results of a VRA survey on the best way … [Read more...]
EU car makers holding breath over China duties
Car makers are closely watching developments after the EC decided to impose provisional duties on imports of electric cars manufactured in China, based on initial findings of an anti-subsidy investigation initiated last year. ACEA has consistently affirmed that free and fair trade is essential in creating a globally competitive European automotive industry, while healthy competition drives … [Read more...]
Chinese brands sweeping into dealerships
Xpeng is the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer most likely to succeed in the UK market, named by 36% of dealers in new research. It is followed by Omoda (34%), BYD (31%), Lynk & Co (24%) and Nio (24%), according to June’s Startline Used Car Tracker. Other new entrants named by dealers include Jaecoo (19%), GWM ORA (17%), Zeekr (12%) and HiPhi (5%). Paul Burgess, CEO at Startline … [Read more...]
Hydrogen HiLux moves closer to realisation
A ground-breaking project to develop a hydrogen fuel cell Toyota Hilux pick-up has moved to its final phase, signalling another milestone in Toyota’s progress towards a zero carbon future. Since the unveiling of the first prototype vehicle in September 2023, Toyota and its consortium partners supported by UK Government funding have successfully progressed their joint development project to the … [Read more...]
Welsh car workers get more pay and work less
Employees at Aston Martin St Athan have been given a pay boost and have working hours reduced. Aston Martin has completed a new long-term agreement with Unite, increasing pay for its valued employees whilst committing to reduce the contractual hours of manufacturing technicians in 2025 to promote a positive work-life balance. More than 2,500 eligible Aston Martin employees and contractors across … [Read more...]
Foliage puts signs in the shade or out of sight
Three-quarters (74%) of drivers say speed limit signs are the most likely type of sign to be covered up by overgrown foliage, with 30mph signs – which are widely used to control speeds in villages and street-lit areas – the most commonly obscured, according to new analysis from the RAC. With trees and bushes having sprung to life, over half (53%) of motorists say obscured signs are a frequent … [Read more...]
Emissions are biggest upcoming challenge for fleets
Implementing zero emissions policies will be the number one issue facing fleets over the next three years, according to new research. Almost four out of 10 (39%) fleet decision makes named this as their biggest challenge, followed by adapting to low emissions zones (38%), adjusting to restrictive public policies on petrol and diesel (37%) and mitigating against rising vehicle whole life costs … [Read more...]
UK car making slips
UK car manufacturing output fell by -7.0% in April, down to 61,820 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It was the second consecutive monthly decline, reflecting factory adjustments in preparation for next generation models and their electrified powertrains. Output for the UK – at 14,021 units – rose 19.8% but failed to offset a -12.7% decline in production for … [Read more...]
World’s still raving over the Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is celebrating three decades since it reshaped the automotive landscape, during which time it has become a global SUV icon. In March 1994, the Geneva Motor Show hosted the launch of a new type of vehicle: a compact, all-wheel drive SUV based on a monocoque body. The Toyota RAV4 was an original, being agile, versatile and designed to meet the demands of modern life. The term “SUV” … [Read more...]