Automotive Industry Digest

Driving less daily - research shows motorists are getting behind the wheel less regularly

A third (32%) of British motorists are using their cars less than they were two years ago, new research has found.

Pricing & grades confirmed for full range of third-generation all-new Nissan Qashqai

06/05/2021

Pricing & grades confirmed for full range of third-generation all-new Nissan Qashqai

Nissan is delighted to confirm On-The-Road pricing and grade levels for the full range of the third-generation, all-new Nissan Qashqai.

GEM calls for new initiatives to reduce vehicle speeds and make roads safer for the most vulnerable

06/05/2021

GEM calls for new initiatives to reduce vehicle speeds and make roads safer for the most vulnerable

ROAD SAFETY and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is using the UN Global Road Safety Week as an opportunity to call for smart new policies and initiatives to reduce vehicle speeds.

Superpedestrian announces one million free rides on link e-scooters to connect citizens with vaccination centres

06/05/2021

Superpedestrian announces one million free rides on link e-scooters to connect citizens with vaccination centres

To protect communities in Italy and Spain against Covid-19, Superpedestrian is giving away €10 million in free rides on its LINK scooter - the smartest and safest in the world - to enable citizens to reach vaccination centres.

Lotus Evija honoured in BBC Top Gear Electric Awards

06/05/2021

Lotus Evija honoured in BBC Top Gear Electric Awards

The Lotus Evija has been named as ‘The One to Watch’ in Top Gear’s second ever Electric Awards.

BVRLA emphasises the importance of cyber security

06/05/2021

BVRLA emphasises the importance of cyber security

The BVRLA has obtained the Government’s Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation following an independent assessment of the association’s IT security infrastructure and processes.

All hail the MG5 EV thanks to innovative weflex deal

06/05/2021

All hail the MG5 EV thanks to innovative weflex deal

For the first time, London’s ride hailers will have the opportunity to be picked up in a fully electric Uber bearing the iconic MG badge, which has been a staple of British motoring for almost 100 years.

92,000 motorists at imminent risk of losing their licence

06/05/2021

Politics and Regulations

92,000 motorists at imminent risk of losing their licence

92,000 motorists are at risk of losing their driving licence with just one more motoring offence resulting in a ban, a Freedom of Information request to DVLA* by IAM roadsmart, the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, reveals.

Spectacular world premiere of the new ID.4 GTX

06/05/2021

Spectacular world premiere of the new ID.4 GTX

The new ID.4 GTX demonstrated its impressive dynamics and sportiness at its world premiere in Berlin, which was held in a hangar at the former Tempelhof Airport. The centrepiece of the event was a 525 square metre ramp with a gradient of 37.5%, which the ID.4 GTX climbed with no problems at all, thanks to its dual-motor all-wheel drive. The ramp

TORSUS PRAETORIAN, the World’s most rugged heavy-duty off-road 4x4 bus

06/05/2021

Light Commercial Vehicles

TORSUS PRAETORIAN, the World’s most rugged heavy-duty off-road 4x4 bus

TORSUS, manufacturer of the world's toughest, heavy-duty off-road buses, today announces a comprehensive range of all-new 2021 technical updates for its flagship vehicle, the TORSUS PRAETORIAN.

Volvo Cars’ global sales up by 97.5 per cent in April

06/05/2021

Volvo Cars’ global sales up by 97.5 per cent in April

Volvo Cars achieved its 10th consecutive month of sales growth, as the company’s global sales increased by 97.5 per cent in April compared with the same month last year.

Mitsubishi UK heritage auction concludes with world record hammer price of £100,100 for its Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen

06/05/2021

Classic Car News

Mitsubishi UK heritage auction concludes with world record hammer price of £100,100 for its Lancer Evolution VI Tommi Mäkinen

The Mitsubishi Motors heritage auction drew to a close on the evening of April 30, 2021 and, after values had climbed steady throughout the month of April, there was a flurry of last minute action as the auction deadline for each lot approached.

Volkswagen expands plug-in hybrid line-up of new Golf

06/05/2021

Volkswagen expands plug-in hybrid line-up of new Golf

Volkswagen is opening its order books for an important, fleet-friendly addition to its Golf plug-in hybrid line-up with the unveiling in the UK of the new Golf ehybrid Style model. Priced from £32,995 RRP OTR, and offering CO 2 emissions of 21 g/km (WLTP) and fuel economy of up to 235 mpg

Majority of Londoners want more clean air action, finds a new study

06/05/2021

Politics and Regulations

Majority of Londoners want more clean air action, finds a new study

More than two thirds of London residents want to see a reduction in the amount pollution from traffic and the majority want to see more action from the mayor to discourage car use.

First impression of the new ŠKODA Fabia’s interior

06/05/2021

First impression of the new ŠKODA Fabia’s interior

ŠKODA AUTO reveals further details of the new Fabia and gives a first impression of the interior of the fourth model generation in an official design sketch. Based on the Volkswagen Group’s Modular Transverse Toolkit MQB-A0, the interior of the popular small car offers even more room, an enhanced sense of spaciousness and fresh colours.

Ford Announces European Customer Trials Programme for the New All-Electric E-Transit Van

06/05/2021

Light Commercial Vehicles

Ford Announces European Customer Trials Programme for the New All-Electric E-Transit Van

The first European customer trials of the new E-Transit – the all-electric version of the world’s best-selling cargo van – will soon be underway, Ford today announced.

Kia adds IONITY bolt-on to Kia charge for discounted ultra-fast charging

06/05/2021

Kia adds IONITY bolt-on to Kia charge for discounted ultra-fast charging

Kia UK Limited has introduced a new IONITY bolt-on to its Kia Charge service, opening the door to low-cost high-power charging for Kia EV owners.

330 LMB project: Bell Sport & Classic remasters the rarest of Ferrari racing cars

06/05/2021

Classic Car News

330 LMB project: Bell Sport & Classic remasters the rarest of Ferrari racing cars

Bell Sport & Classic is proud to unveil the ultimate expression of its exceptional in-house restoration expertise, an authentic remastering of one of the rarest period Ferrari racing cars ever: the 330 LMB.

Way to Zero: Volkswagen presents roadmap for climate-neutral mobility

06/05/2021

Way to Zero: Volkswagen presents roadmap for climate-neutral mobility

At the first Way to Zero Convention, Volkswagen today gave details of its plans for decarbonising the company and its products. The company intends to be net carbon neutral by 2050 at the latest. A new interim milestone is the targeted 40-percent reduction in CO 2 emissions per vehicle in Europe by 2030 – substantially outperforming the Group

Lexus maintains strong first quarter sales ahead of showrooms re-opening

06/05/2021

Lexus maintains strong first quarter sales ahead of showrooms re-opening

Lexus maintained healthy new car sales through the first quarter of 2021, despite the necessary closure of all UK showrooms to comply with Covid-19 restrictions. Applying its industry-leading customer service principles, it ensured people were given all the information, personal support and services they required to research and organise new car

LCV values reach record levels at BCA for fifth consecutive month in March

06/05/2021

Residual Value Update

LCV values reach record levels at BCA for fifth consecutive month in March

Average used LCV values rose for the fifth consecutive month at BCA in March 2021, again reaching record levels as demand for light commercials continued apace. Underlining the ongoing demand from professional buyers, LCV values have risen in nine of the 12 months since the pandemic started.

Mycardirect outperforms UK electric car market

06/05/2021

General Motor Industry News

Mycardirect outperforms UK electric car market

Car subscription provider, Mycardirect, is certainly doing its bit to promote interest in, and encourage the take up of, electric cars. Since its launch in the UK last year, Mycardirect has seen an overall electric car mix rise to 20%; that's almost three times the share seen in the UK car market which stands at 7.5% YTD. [1]

New labelling for tyres seeks to highlight efficiency and performance

06/05/2021

General Motor Industry News

New labelling for tyres seeks to highlight efficiency and performance

On 1 May 2021, motorists will benefit from the introduction of a new label and innovative system to help them understand how well tyres perform, especially for fuel efficiency and grip in the wet.

Kia dealers earn industry-first servicemark accreditation

06/05/2021

Latest Dealer News

Kia dealers earn industry-first servicemark accreditation

Kia dealerships Ken Jervis (Stoke-on-Trent), Gravells (Kidwelly) and Drayton Motors (Boston) are the first ever dealerships to be accredited with the ‘servicemark with Distinction’ by the Institute of Customer Service (ICS).

UK engine production rises 31.7% in March

06/05/2021

General Motor Industry News

UK engine production rises 31.7% in March

March UK engine production rises 31.7% in 2021, compared with Covid-hit month a year ago.

A true ‘hot SUV’: Hyundai Motor reveals all-new KONA N

28/04/2021

A true ‘hot SUV’: Hyundai Motor reveals all-new KONA N

Hyundai Motor has unveiled the all-new KONA N, an urban compact high-performance ‘hot SUV’ that combines exhilarating performance with a balanced day-to-day driving experience. It is the first SUV model to join the N brand line-up and is set apart by its SUV body type paired with powerful, N-specific driving features.

‘Best thing since sliced bread’ - Warburtons first 16 tonne 100% electric truck goes on the road

28/04/2021

Light Commercial Vehicles

‘Best thing since sliced bread’ - Warburtons first 16 tonne 100% electric truck goes on the road

The vehicle, striking in Warburtons orange livery and proudly stating ‘Our electric trucks are the best thing since sliced bread’, joins the company’s secondary bread fleet operating out of its Enfield bakery. The D Z.E., which can cover up to 150km on a single charge, can carry around six tonnes of bread and bakery products to multiple locations

Evolving to the next level: New Polo is one of the first in its class to offer partly automated driving

28/04/2021

Evolving to the next level: New Polo is one of the first in its class to offer partly automated driving

With more than 18 million units built, the Polo is one of the world’s most successful compact cars. Now, in a world premiere, Volkswagen is set to unveil the next evolutionary stage of the Polo; presales will start in May already.

Pup-sizing your car: UK motorists spent big during lockdown buying larger cars to accommodate new dogs

28/04/2021