Nearly 90 per cent of UK motorists prefer physical buttons rather than touch-sensitive controls, according to recent research.
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Local roads near ‘breaking point’ as pothole repairs reach eight-year high
The rate of pothole repairs on local roads in England and Wales has reached an eight-year high, according to a new report.
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Lloyd lands on his feet with inaugural Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup victory
Ioan Lloyd and Sion Williams became the first ever winners in the Stellantis Motorsport Rally Cup IRE & UK after a supremely challenging West Cork Rally last weekend [March 15-17].
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GoSafe Steps Up Enforcement of 20mph Limits
Motorists in Wales are advised to pay close attention to their speed as GoSafe, begins enforcing the new 20mph limits in earnest. This enforcement marks a shift from the initial six-month grace period following the September 2023 implementation of the reduced speed limit.
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Opel and ADAC bring strong driver duo to the JERC
The ADAC Opel Rally Junior Team will again compete in the Junior European Rally Championship in 2024.
(more…)Astra
Vauxhall Astra Wins “Best Medium Car” at 2024 Business Motoring Awards
The Vauxhall Astra has been named ‘Best Medium Car’ at the 2024 Business Motoring Awards.
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Drivers warned that electric car range tests are flawed
Motorists are being warned that tests for new electric cars significantly overstate how far they can travel on a single charge with real-world driving.
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20mph Speed Limit Sign Vandalism Soars
Wales has witnessed a significant rise in vandalism and graffiti targeting speed limit signs since the nationwide rollout of the 20mph default limit in September 2023.
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Vauxhall’s Response to the Spring Budget 2024
James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, commented: “Today’s Spring Budget has not delivered the acceleration needed to stop the UK’s transition to electric vehicles from stalling.
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New car market records strongest February in 20 years after 14% growth
The new car market recorded its strongest February in 20 years, figures show.
Nearly 85,000 new cars were registered last month, an increase of 14.0% compared with February 2023, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
That is the highest February total since 2004 when more than 91,000 new cars were registered.
February is a low-volume month for sales ahead of the introduction of new number plates on March 1, which sparks a surge in purchases.
The SMMT reiterated its plea for “fairer” taxation of electric vehicles (EVs) ahead of Wednesday’s Budget as private uptake continues to struggle.
Private buyers accounted for just 18.2% of new battery electric vehicles registered in the first two months of this year, with the overall 21.3% increase in demand entirely sustained by fleets due to tax incentives.
The SMMT is urging Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to halve VAT on the purchase of new EVs, amend plans to introduce vehicle excise duty for EVs, and reduce VAT on public charging to bring it into line with home charging.
Chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The new car market’s ability to deliver growth continues with its best February for 20 years.
“This week’s Budget is an opportunity to ensure that growth is greener.
“Tackling the triple tax barrier as the market embarks on its busiest month of the year would boost EV demand, cutting carbon emissions and energising the economy.
“It will deliver a faster and fairer zero emission transition, putting Britain’s EV ambition back in the fast lane.”
Ian Plummer, commercial director at online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, said: “Year-on-year growth in EV sales is encouraging but this is thanks to buoyant fleet sales, as growing numbers of drivers take advantage of benefit in kind and salary sacrifice schemes to overcome the electric upfront price barrier.
“With the 22% Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target of all new car sales to be electric now in effect, some manufacturers are turning to substantial offers to stimulate flat retail demand and entice potential car buyers, and our data shows it’s working.
“At the end of February, one in five new car inquiries sent via Auto Trader were for EVs thanks to a few heavily discounted models.”
Under the ZEV mandate, at least 22% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK this year must be zero-emission, which generally means battery EVs.
The threshold will rise annually until it reaches 100% by 2035.
Manufacturers that fail to abide by the rule or make use of flexibilities – such as trading allowances or carrying them over from previous years – will be required to pay the Government £15,000 per polluting vehicle sold above the limits.
In September last year, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delayed the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK from 2030 to 2035.
Alex Buttle, co-founder of used car selling comparison website Motorway.co.uk, said: “Private car buyers urgently need more support to switch to electric.
“If the Government announces incentives for prospective EV drivers as well as plans to improve the charging infrastructure in the Budget tomorrow, sales could really start to power up.”
Blog Post
Driverless cars described as ‘game-changer’ for safety, despite MPs’ concerns
Driverless cars have been described as a “game-changer”, despite MPs expressing concerns on safety and the potential weaponisation of autonomous vehicles.
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Vauxhall’s Electric Range Continues to Top the Rankings in Latest SMMT Sales Figures
Vauxhall’s electric range continued its strong UK sales performance in February, topping the charts according to the latest new car and van registration figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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Vauxhall Fest 2024: Celebrating Heritage & Innovation!
Back by popular demand, we’re thrilled to announce the return of Vauxhall Fest 2024, where we’ll be celebrating the rich heritage and exciting innovations of the Vauxhall brand!
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Insurers announce action to tackle rising cost of motor cover
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) says it is exploring various ways to tackle the rising cost of motor cover.
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Two new women’s teams in the ADAC Opel Electric Rally Cup 2024
The French Motorsport Federation continues its promotion of young talent. Two FFSA women’s teams take up the challenge in the Opel Corsa Rally Electric. The talents Emma Chalvin and Alizée Pottier are at the beginning of their careers.
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Vauxhall Reveals Corsa YES Edition
Vauxhall has revealed the special edition Corsa Electric #YES, offering sporty styling and an exclusive Record Red paint finish with a fully electric 136PS powertrain. The Corsa Electric YES Edition is priced at £26,895, lowering the entry-point to the Corsa Electric line-up by £5,550.
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Red Bull Announced as Event Partner for Castle Combe Circuit’s 2024 Season
Global energy drink and sports giant, Red Bull, has been announced as an Event Partner of Castle Combe Circuit for its busy calendar of car/motorcycle shows and race meetings throughout 2024.
(more…)Motoring
Petrol prices up 3p per litre in three weeks
Average fuel prices have risen by more than 3p per litre in three weeks, new analysis shows.
(more…)Astra
Vauxhall Adds Hybrid Powertrain to Astra and Astra Sports Tourer Line-Up
Vauxhall has opened orders for the Astra Hybrid and Astra Sports Tourer Hybrid, featuring 48-volt hybrid technology for improved efficiency and lower emissions compared to equivalent petrol models. Prices start from £30,025 with first deliveries commencing from July.
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Autoworks Services Partners with Castle Combe Circuit to Provide Charity Passenger Rides at all 2024 Action Day Events
Swindon-based BMW tuning and servicing expert, Autoworks Services, has been confirmed as the official charity passenger ride provider for Castle Combe Circuit’s array of Action Day shows throughout 2024.
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