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Automotive Industry Digest

Alphabet is delighted to be sponsoring this weekly online publication in order to bring you regular automotive news
covering areas such as fleet, models, manufacturers, politics and regulation, dealers and general motor industry news.

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Film: don’t forget your loved ones this Christmas

05/12/2019

Film: don’t forget your loved ones this Christmas

Classic cars are often thought of as a part of the family, packed with memories and often taking up far more of our precious leisure time than our families might like them to, they are highly cherished and are much more to their owners than just a car.

68% of drivers say removing hard shoulders on motorways compromises safety

05/12/2019

68% of drivers say removing hard shoulders on motorways compromises safety

More than two-thirds (68%) of drivers in England questioned by the RAC think removing the hard shoulder, as is happening on the ever-increasing number of the country’s smart motorways, compromises safety for those who breakdown in a live lane.

The new Jaguar F-Type

05/12/2019

The new Jaguar F-Type

The new Jaguar F-TYPE looks more beautiful than ever and embodies Jaguar design DNA in its purest form. The two-seat sports car offers a perfect balance of performance and driver reward with an even more muscular, assertive design and a cabin defined by rich, luxurious materials and beautiful details.

Hyundai reveals top 10 myths about electric cars

05/12/2019

Hyundai reveals top 10 myths about electric cars

More than two-thirds (68%) of drivers in England questioned by the RAC think removing the hard shoulder, as is happening on the ever-increasing number of the country’s smart motorways, compromises safety for those who breakdown in a live lane.

British drivers unprepared for winter weather breakdowns

05/12/2019

British drivers unprepared for winter weather breakdowns

Having surveyed more than 1,500 UK car owners on their ability to cope with a winter breakdown with worrying findings, a rural insurance company is urging drivers to prioritise in-car safety equipment.

New Ford Ranger lands on the beach to support RNLI patrols

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

New Ford Ranger lands on the beach to support RNLI patrols

Ford is continuing its support of the RNLI by supplying the charity that saves lives at sea with 20 new four-wheel-drive Ford Rangers to support beach patrols across the country.

Kia charges forward with electric models in 2020

05/12/2019

Manufacturer News

Kia charges forward with electric models in 2020

With the new and updated e-Niro and the all-new Soul EV arriving in 2020, Kia will have two distinctive battery electric vehicles capable of 280 miles range or more on a full charge, emitting zero tailpipe emissions.

UK Commercial Vehicle production stable in October

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

UK Commercial Vehicle production stable in October

UK commercial vehicle (CV) production was stable in October down just -0.2%, with 9,065 units manufactured, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Output for crucial overseas markets was up some 9.3%, but production for the domestic market fell -8.5% in the face of weakening demand.

New expert Sport Edition heads Peugeot Expert Van Range

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

New expert Sport Edition heads Peugeot Expert Van Range

Introducing a new flagship, PEUGEOT has added new Sport Edition variants to the Expert Panel Van and Crew Van model ranges. The Expert Sport Edition versions will be positioned above the Asphalt variants and will benefit from even more standard equipment.

TfGM & Mobilleo work in partnership to power a MaaS solution for Greater Manchester

05/12/2019

Politics and Regulations

TfGM & Mobilleo work in partnership to power a MaaS solution for Greater Manchester

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is working in partnership with Fleetondemand’s award-winning Mobility as a Service (MaaS) application Mobilleo to power its ground-breaking IMOVE project.

Ford scores unique International Van of the Year 2020 award 1-2

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

Ford scores unique International Van of the Year 2020 award 1-2

Ford of Europe scored a unique 1-2 in the International Van of the Year Award 2020 (IVOTY) competition in securing the prestigious title for sixth occasion with its range of Transit Custom Hybrids, comprising the Plug-In Hybrid and EcoBlue Hybrid models. Hans Schep, General Manager Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe was presented with the prize

Fast and furious Ford cop cars break cover

05/12/2019

Manufacturer News

Fast and furious Ford cop cars break cover

Police forces across the UK are set to trial Ford’s latest blue-light vehicle – a 105mph all-wheel drive Ford Ranger Raptor. With its FOX shock absorbers and Baja desert race mode as standard, it has more than enough to keep up with crims making a getaway across gravel, mud and sand.

Ford Ranger wins International Pick-Up Award 2020

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

Ford Ranger wins International Pick-Up Award 2020

Following a three-day group test in Sweden against four other nominees, the latest Ford Ranger emerged victorious in the challenge for the International Pick-up Award 2020 (IPUA).

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles celebrates production of the 1000th Grand California

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles celebrates production of the 1000th Grand California

Production of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ Crafter-based motorhome, the Grand California, began in spring; and now the 1000th model has rolled off the production line in Września (Poland).

Majority of motorists opposed to plans to ban diesel cars from city centres

05/12/2019

Politics and Regulations

Majority of motorists opposed to plans to ban diesel cars from city centres

Over 80 per cent of motorists are against current plans to ban diesel cars from city centres according to a new survey by Motorpoint.

Citroën launches new 'C-Series’ C3 Aircross compact SUV special edition

05/12/2019

Citroën launches new 'C-Series’ C3 Aircross compact SUV special edition

Since its launch late in 2017, C3 Aircross Compact SUV has established a strong position in the B-SUV segment, bringing a distinctive, comfortable and practical offering to the sector. With its unique, customisable good looks, benchmark interior space and peerless modularity – as well as 12 driver assistance systems and connectivity features

IVOTY launch white paper on the future of LCVs in cities

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

IVOTY launch white paper on the future of LCVs in cities

At Solutrans 2019 (Lyon, France) the International Van of the Year (IVOTY) jury launched a White Paper booklet entitled ‘The Evolution of the Light Commercial Vehicle in the Urban Environment’. The discussion document is a compilation of contributions from members of the IVOTY with thoughts from research relating to their own country and Europe in

Tevva offers new option to lease or buy etrucks direct after huge demand for electrify campaign

05/12/2019

Light Commercial Vehicles

Tevva offers new option to lease or buy etrucks direct after huge demand for electrify campaign

Tevva Motors Ltd has revealed more details about its Tevva Electrify fleet initiative and confirmed that series production will start in 2020 after the hugely positive response to its launch at last month’s Freight in the City (FITC) Expo.

Be prepared for a Jaguar feast at the CCA December auction

05/12/2019

Residual Value Update

Be prepared for a Jaguar feast at the CCA December auction

Classic Car Auctions December sale has a fantastic selection of Jaguars on offer from the early 60s with the E-type to 2010 with an outstanding XJ Sport and the classic Mk2 2.4 and the XJS.

05/12/2019

Latest Dealer News

NMDA Dealer Attitude Survey Autumn 2019 results revealed

“The NMDA is encouraged to see that this year’s Autumn 2019 Dealer Attitude Survey received a response rate of 18% made up of nine brands. Participants in this survey were made up of 82% of independently owned franchise dealers, and 16% privately owned groups. 52% were single brand dealer’s whist the remainder of 48% were multi-franchised.”

Brits driving differently

05/12/2019

General Motor Industry News

Brits driving differently

Hyundai today (03rd December 2019) releases new research that shows there are 36,750 different ways to drive, with even the type of car you drive affecting your driving style. The figure has been reached by identifying the six most important factors that impact driving style and developing a real life measurement for each.

Volkswagen and Tesco free EV charging network amps up, as over 100 stores rolled out

05/12/2019

General Motor Industry News

Volkswagen and Tesco free EV charging network amps up, as over 100 stores rolled out

Electric car owners could get more than 1,000 miles of free driving per year following the rollout of a ground-breaking complimentary car charging network.

Signs of optimism in EV Dealer Attitude Survey

05/12/2019

Latest Dealer News

Signs of optimism in EV Dealer Attitude Survey

“It is positive that retailers showed a degree of optimism about the electric vehicle sector in the latest NFDA EV Dealer Attitude Survey”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) commenting on the results of the latest NFDA Electric Vehicle Dealer Attitude Survey (EV DAS).

EAV launches first fully temperature-controlled eCargo bike to become a key part of the cold chain

05/12/2019

General Motor Industry News

EAV launches first fully temperature-controlled eCargo bike to become a key part of the cold chain

Electric Assisted Vehicles Limited (EAV) have launched a world’s first with a fully temperature-controlled eCargo bike. The EAVcool Cargo was launched to exceptional interest at the Restaurant and Takeaway Show at London’s Excel Arena last week.

MG expands with Stoneacre and reaches landmark of 100 UK dealerships

05/12/2019

Latest Dealer News

MG expands with Stoneacre and reaches landmark of 100 UK dealerships

MG Motor UK has reached a significant milestone in its Momentum & Growth mid-term plan by opening its 100th UK dealership; Stoneacre Doncaster. The stunning new premises increases the brand’s footprint in the region and becomes Stoneacre Motor Group’s fourth MG site.

UK engine manufacturing down -6.2% in October

05/12/2019

General Motor Industry News

UK engine manufacturing down -6.2% in October

Importance of frictionless trade highlighted as more than six out of 10 UK-built engines shipped overseas.

Balloonist Bertrand Piccard breaks world distance record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle in a Hyundai Nexo

05/12/2019

General Motor Industry News

Balloonist Bertrand Piccard breaks world distance record for a hydrogen-powered vehicle in a Hyundai Nexo

French aeronaut and president of the Solar Impulse Foundation Bertrand Piccard has broken the world record for the longest distance traveled in a hydrogen-powered vehicle on a single refueling. Driving in a Hyundai Nexo, Piccard left the FaHyence hydrogen station in Sarreguemines on Monday 25 November, a place chosen because of the Grand Est Region

The all new Forester e-BOXER

27/11/2019

The all new Forester e-BOXER

Forester has grown to become Subaru’s top-selling model in the UK and is a popular choice amongst customers who trust it to be safe, capable and reliable. The fifth generation Forester commemorates Subaru’s heritage and marks the future of ‘Confidence in Motion’ with e-BOXER.

GEM issues medicines warning as colds and ‘flu season arrives’

27/11/2019

GEM issues medicines warning as colds and ‘flu season arrives’

ROAD SAFETY AND breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is warning motorists about the dangerous effects some medications can have on driving.

Half of drivers say the condition of local roads has got worse

27/11/2019

Half of drivers say the condition of local roads has got worse

The equivalent of nearly 20m UK drivers think the condition and maintenance of the roads they use every day has got even worse over the past 12 months, new RAC research has found.