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Automotive Industry Digest
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Consumer car finance market grows by 4% in September
New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that new business in the point of sale (POS) consumer car finance market grew 4% by volume and 7% by value in September, compared with the same month in 2018. In Q3 2019 as a whole, new business grew 3% by volume and 5% by value.
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All-new Peugeot e-EXPERT: the expert in electric
With the PEUGEOT e-EXPERT, PEUGEOT is increasingly committed to electrifying its models to achieve its ambition of a 100% electrified LCV range by 2021.
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Tips on fatigue for older drivers
As part of our campaign to raise awareness of the issues surrounding older drivers in the UK and to offer support and guidance to those driving in later life, IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, shares his tips on ways to stay alert and avoid tiredness.
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Mobile phone use still drivers’ biggest annoyance despite offences appearing to decrease
Research released reveals that British drivers find other motorists’ use of mobile phones the most annoying habit on the road. The study for Kwik Fit, the UK’s leading automotive servicing and repair company, found that other motorists using a mobile phone handset to talk, text or use social media is in the top five most annoying habits for 56% of
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Delivering sustainable road transport – BVRLA launches 2019 manifesto
As Parliament shuts for a five-week general election campaign, the BVRLA is calling for the next Government to back the fleet sector by confirming the long-term status of its plug-in vehicle grants.
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MG bucks the trend with record-breaking October sales
MG Motor UK has retained its crown as the UK’s fastest growing car manufacturer, recording an astonishing 24th consecutive month of year-on-year volume growth. The marque, which places truly affordable, value for money motoring at the heart of its model line-up, logged a record-breaking 835 registrations in October – the most MG has achieved in any
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Motorists think you need 60 weeks experience behind the wheel to become a ‘good driver’
New research has revealed that 60 weeks is the average amount of time motorists think it takes to become a ‘good driver’ after passing your test.
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ŠKODA AUTO increases sales revenue and operating profit in first nine months of 2019
ŠKODA AUTO continues along the road to success. From January to September, the carmaker increased sales revenues by 17.6% to 14.8 billion euros, setting a best value in the company’s history. Operating profit also remains at a high level, rising by 8.5% to 1.175 billion euros in the same period, which is slightly below the best result in the brand
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Mclaren Elva revealed
McLaren Automotive reveals its new Ultimate Series roadster, the McLaren Elva. As the brand’s first open-cockpit road car, the Elva adds a new dimension to the range-topping Ultimate Series lineage. Like its McLaren P1TM, McLaren Senna and Speedtail predecessors, volume of the new McLaren Elva will be strictly limited: just 399 are being offered
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Volkswagen starts pre-production in first plant purely focused on e-mobility in China
The new plant of the SAIC VOLKSWAGEN joint venture has been completed. It is purely built for the production of all electric vehicles on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB). Celebrating the start of pre- production, a first China-specific all--electric Volkswagen ID. model rolled off the production line. The plant sets the next
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New 48-volt battery boosts mild-hybrid performance
With a new 48-volt battery optimized for use in mild-hybrid vehicles, MAHLE Powertrain is making it possible to maximize the recuperated energy that can be stored and released. This can significantly increase the efficiency of mild-hybrid vehicles, allowing a fuel saving of between 12 and 15 percent. With this development, MAHLE Powertrain is
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Hyundai Motor Group develops world’s first road noise active noise control technology
Hyundai Motor Group has announced the development of the world’s first Road Noise Active Noise Control (RANC) system. The first-ever system dramatically reduces noise within the cabin of a vehicle.
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New electric family member: ID. SPACE VIZZION will be presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show
Volkswagen will debut the ID. SPACE VIZZION to the world on the eve of the Los Angeles Auto Show on November 19th 2019 — a zero-emissions vehicle for a new era, new thinking and new mobility. The ID. SPACE VIZZION is a wagon of tomorrow that combines the aerodynamic characteristics of a Gran Turismo with the spaciousness of an SUV. Stylistically,
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Even sharper and more striking: the Audi R8 V10 RWD & the Audi R8 lms GT4
From special series to standard range: The Audi R8 V10 with rear-wheel drive (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 13.1–12.9 (18.0–18.2 US mpg); combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 293–299 (471.5–481.2 g/mi)) is advancing to a permanent model. In this context, its exterior is being redesigned to make it even more striking: It will be fitted with the
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Seat sales grow by more than 30% in October, with year to date increase of 11%
SEAT has set new sales records as it approaches the final two months of the year. From January to October, the Spanish company delivered 498,700 vehicles worldwide - 11.1% more than in the same period last year (449,000).
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Theo – the video enabled smart in-car companion beats dashcams on connected benefits
Connectivity in cars could prevent 25,000 serious accidents in the coming decade and save 2,500 lives[i] - but motorists don’t have to wait. Now available on Amazon, Theo is a smart, video-enabled device with a complete package of support services for motorists, using a combination of technology not available in some of the newest cars on the road.
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New research from HPI shows car buyers want documentation
Independent research reveals that 90% of motorists would be more likely to buy a vehicle if they could see its past history.
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HPI steps in to help motorists who don’t know their PHEVs from their BEVs
HPI, part of Solera Holdings, Inc., a global leader in risk and asset management data and software solutions for the insurance and automotive industries, has set about unravelling some of the confusing terminology and acronyms associated with the motor market.
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Volvo entices British car buyers with one year’s free electricity offer
Volvo is offering British car buyers one year’s free electricity to charge their new plug-in hybrid car**, with the launch of its innovative Take Charge campaign. The offer is available across Volvo’s market-leading range of plug-in hybrid models.
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NFDA comments on Bristol diesel ban from city centre
“Franchised retailers are making significant investments and efforts to encourage the transition to a low and ultimately zero carbon market, but we need a targeted and consistent approach by Government, industry and key stakeholders to ensure a stable uptake of low emission vehicles”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers
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A fully electric car is the best choice for one-in-five new car buyers
An electric vehicle is the best option for nearly one-in-five new car buyers in the UK, according to exclusive research by What Car?.
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New Defender faces toughest test in James Bond movie, No Time To Die
Land Rover puts fans inside the New Defender on the set of No Time To Die, the 25th official James Bond film, in a teaser video released to announce its continued partnership with EON Productions.
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The road to electromobility leads to new challenges and new solutions
Driven by concerns over climate change and growing regulation, particularly in Europe and Asia, the global automotive industry is well on its way to the mass adoption of electromobility as it develops new products and brings them to market.
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Economic uncertainty continues to depress LCV market
“Registrations of light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes fell by -11% in October, the second consecutive month of decline, as economic uncertainty continues to affect the market”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents franchised commercial vehicle and car retailers across the UK, commenting
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Highlight of the new Golf – the digital cockpit
The new Golf will shortly come to market with a revolutionary cockpit that is clearer, neater, completely digitalised, and connected online, and that will make operating this bestseller more intuitive than ever.
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Vehicle volumes set to fall as used car market enters final quarter
“Half of respondents in this month’s NAMA survey are expecting volumes to fall over the coming month. Volumes of vehicles arriving at auction centres generally reduce towards the end of the year, and this year appears to be no different,” said Louise Wallis, Head of the National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA), commenting on the latest figures
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GEM issues warning for drivers as Winter blows in
ROAD SAFETY organisation GEM Motoring Assist is offering simple tips for drivers to ensure trouble-free journeys this winter. Giving some attention now to batteries, tyres, antifreeze, wipers, lights and other vehicle essentials is the best way of ensuring reliability in the months to come, says GEM.
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All-new Mazda3 named 2019 Scottish Car of the Year
Mazda is celebrating a winning performance at the 2019 Scottish Car of the Year Awards, claiming both the coveted overall Car of the Year and the Family Car of the Year titles with the all-new Mazda3. The 28-model all-new Mazda3 range features hatchback and saloon body styles with a choice of two mild-hybrid equipped petrol engines.
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Seat and Cupra see double at Scottish Car of the Year awards
SEAT and CUPRA collected an award each at Scottish Car of the Year on Friday night, picking up Crossover of the Year for Tarraco and Sportscar of the Year for CUPRA Ateca.
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Groupe PSA and FCA plan to join forces to build a world leader for a new era in sustainable mobility
The Supervisory Board of Peugeot S.A. and the Board of Directors of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (“FCA”) (NYSE: FCAU / MTA: FCA). have each unanimously agreed to work towards a full combination of their respective businesses by way of a 50/50 merger. Both boards have given the mandate to their respective teams to finalize the discussions to reach
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