SMMT: EV bolster January growth but shortages hinder recovery February 4, 2022 The UK automotive sector has recorded a positive start to the year, with 115,087 new cars registered – 27.5 per cent up on 2021 levels. According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, January’s growth was driven mainly by electric vehicles (EV), with battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid cars account for 71.5 [...]
Grant Shapps promises angry commuters ‘big improvements’ in railway timetables February 4, 2022 Transport secretary Grant Shapps has promised angry commuters that ‘big improvements’ in railway timetables are bound to take place within the next two weeks. Shapps said this morning he’s in talks with train operators to bring timetables back to quasi normal levels, as the number of people travelling has increased significantly following the removal of [...]
Carnival loses two ships as pandemic continues to beat sector February 4, 2022 The pandemic continues to hit hard the cruise sector, forcing giants such as Carnival to restructure their fleet. The firm announced today that two of its US ships, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Sensation, will leave the fleet, while some of the routes they were on will be cancelled. After initially reporting that Carnival Sensation’s restart [...]
MPs call on government to deliver new motoring tax to avoid £35bn hole February 4, 2022 The UK Government could find itself with a £35bn financial hole if it doesn’t introduce an alternative motoring tax before 2030, according to a new transport committee report. MPs have argued that by banning the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, the Treasury could lose two sources of income, fuel duty and [...]
Disbelief and outrage across EU as UK says it won’t do anything to stop end to Brexit food checks February 3, 2022 European media responded with shock and disbelief this morning after a minister in Northern Ireland ordered to end checks on food in his country and the UK declared it won’t do anything about it. Moreover, Northern Ireland First Minister Paul Givan is expected to announce his resignation by the end of the week, potentially later [...]
Tesla recalls more than 817,000 cars over seat belt chime malfunction February 3, 2022 Tesla was forced today to recall more than 817,000 US vehicles after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) flagged a malfunction in the technology that reminds drivers to fasten their seat belts. The agency said that in several models – including the 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, the 2017-2022 Model 3 and the [...]
Global travel and tourism industry sees 1,080 deals in 2021 February 3, 2022 Even though it was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, the global travel and tourism industry still managed to grow in 2021. According to GlobalData, a total of 1,080 deals – including M&A, private equity and venture financing – were announced last year, a 1.3 per cent hike on 2020 levels. “Deal activity [...]
Ryanair loses appeal over industrial action compensation February 3, 2022 The UK Court of Appeal has rejected Ryanair’s appeal, ruling it cannot avoid refunding customers that were affected by walkouts in the summer of 2018. The low-cost carrier initially refused to pay travellers back, as it considered the disruption to be caused by “exceptional circumstances” but was taken to court by the Civil Aviation Authority [...]
Used car market starts year with a bang as demand fuels record prices February 3, 2022 The second-hand automotive market has started 2022 with a bang, as record levels of demand have fuelled the skyrocketing of prices. Auto Trader’s retail price index has revealed the average price of a used car has surged for the 22nd consecutive month, going up to £18,067 – a 31.3 per cent year-on-year increase on a [...]
Moto cuts fuel prices following National Highways thumbs up February 3, 2022 Motorway services operator Moto will cut fuel prices by 15p per litre at its new digital sign installations on motorways after National Highways gave the move the thumbs up. The roll out, which will initially include five Moto sites, will see motorists save up an average £7 per tank, bringing the operator’s prices in line [...]