Thatcham Research is launching findings from its Trust in Automation consumer study which has revealed that just over half of UK drivers think that they can buy a fully autonomous car today. This is despite the fact that only Assisted Driving systems, which require driver support, are currently available in the UK. “Realising the government’s stated safety ambition for Automated … [Read more...]
GB experts develop autonomous safety ratings
Accident experts in Britain are working on the world’s first rating system for the safety of autonomous cars. Crash testers at Thatcham Research outside Reading have worked with global systems engineers, car makers and the Law Commission to draw up the safety ratings which could be applied to models in the same way as the familiar Euro NCap stars. The development comes as Mercedes-Benz in … [Read more...]
Tradelines 27 January
Bucking the UK trend in falling sales, the UK’s fastest-growing car brand shows no signs of slowing down as MG Motor gears up to increase its network to at least 130 dealers by the end of 2021. With a range now encompassing six models and a rapidly growing reputation for offering affordable EVs for everyone, the brand has seen 28 new sites join its network in the past 12 months. Bentley … [Read more...]
Drivers sceptical of “smart cars”
Britain’s motorists are highly sceptical over the future use of driverless cars according to comparethemarket.com. In its Road Ahead research series looking at the future of driving, it was found that only 55% of people expect driverless cars to be in use in the next ten years. According to a survey of over 2,000 British motorists, 80% are worried about the safety of driverless cars. This … [Read more...]
Europe leads autonomous driving mode
Europe is leading the world in self-driving innovation, a Brussels conference was told. Research and innovation in the field of automated driving was high on the agenda of the 2018 EUCAR Conference this week. A lively debate on the future of urban mobility, brought policy makers and authorities together with auto manufacturers, researchers and suppliers to discuss the opportunities and … [Read more...]
Tradelines 18 April
PSA has cancelled all Vauxhall and Opel dealership contracts with two year’s notice. As expected since the new owners acquired the struggling former GM subsidiaries, PSA will only reappoint the best dealers which sell most cars and have high customer ratings experiences, which means over 500 could be dropped and those 1,100 who remain could sell all brands inc. Peugeot, Citroen and DS. The … [Read more...]
Insurers want to access technology in autonomous cars
One of the key challenges for the future of automated driving will be determining where liability rests in the event of an accident with an automated car. A crucial part of making sure claims are settled fairly will be to understand who was in control of the vehicle at the time – the driver or the car? According to Peter Shaw, Chief Executive at Thatcham Research, “Future legislation needs … [Read more...]
Seamless cover for autonomous cars?
Insurers are offering to handle the complications of insuring the first automated cars behind the scenes, meaning consumers should notice hardly any difference to the current system of motor insurance. Responding to the Department for Transport’s consultation on how to support developing automated vehicle technologies, the joint paper from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and industry … [Read more...]
Survey questions law changes to introduce driverless cars
Seventy-four per cent of drivers think insurers should provide cover for damage caused by hackers accessing control systems in driverless cars, according to road safety charity IAM RoadSmart. Almost 1,200 people responded to the survey which sought opinions on what driverless cars will mean for them as the UK heads towards autonomous vehicles becoming mainstream. The results of this survey have … [Read more...]
Business drivers give blessing to autonomous cars
Research suggests that 43% of UK businesses believe their drivers will accept using autonomous cars. Also, findings by vehicle leasing and fleet management company Arval shows that 38% believe that autonomous cars will have a positive impact on existing road safety issues. Shaun Sadlier, Head of Consultancy at Arval, said, “Clearly, autonomous cars will represent a huge change in … [Read more...]