Car insurance rises for first time in 18 months April 21, 2022 Car insurance premiums have risen for the first time in 18 months, according to financial services company Confused. Data revealed today that insuring a vehicle is £12 more expensive than it was a year ago, causing the average premium to be as high as £550 per year. “Car insurance costs are starting to increase, and [...]
Watching movies gets green light, but ban on mobiles remains, as Highway Code updated for self-driving cars April 20, 2022 Drivers will be able to watch movies at the wheel of a driverless car, but the ban on using your mobile remains, as The Highway Code is set to be updated. Under the proposed changes put forward by the Department for Transport, users of driverless vehicles will not be responsible for crashes but instead the [...]
Stellantis halts Russia production amid war-induced logistical difficulties April 19, 2022 Automotive giant Stellantis has halted production in Russia as a result of logistical difficulties caused by Western sanctions on Moscow. The owner of Fiat, Chrysler and Peugeot announced today it was closing its plant near Moscow. “Given the rapid daily increase in cross sanctions and logistical difficulties, Stellantis has suspended its manufacturing operations in Kaluga to ensure [...]
Former Ferrari executive Michael Leiters in pole position to head McLaren Automotive April 19, 2022 Former Ferrari executive Michael Leiters is reportedly in the pole position to head McLaren’s car making business, McLaren Automotive. Leiters, who stepped down from his chief technology officer post in December, is among the candidates currently vetted to replace McLaren Automotive’s chief executive Mike Flewitt. It is unclear whether Leiters has agreed to take over [...]
Average price of used cars soar by a third following supply chain squeeze April 18, 2022 The average price of a used car in the UK has soared by almost a third over the last 12 months. Data from online car dealer Auto Trader revealed that on a like-for-like basis car prices have gone up by 32 per cent to around £18,000 – meaning that motorists are now paying a 15 [...]
Holidaymakers advised to avoid Good Friday travel April 14, 2022 Brits were advised to plan ahead and avoid travelling on Good Friday as disruption is expected throughout the UK transport network. The Department for Transport said it was working alongside operators to try and minimise disruption but it was advising people to take the extra time. “If you’re travelling this Easter weekend, plan ahead and [...]
Strike could stop production at Mini’s Cowley plant, says union April 13, 2022 A strike action could stop production at Mini’s Cowley plant, said the union Unite today after 150 workers voted in favour of walkout. Unite said the strike will run for eight days between the end of April and May after an “inadequate” pay was offered by employer Rudolph and Hellman Automotive. “Our Rudolph and Hellman [...]
Car rentals double this month amid Easter travel chaos April 12, 2022 Car rentals have doubled ahead of Easter weekend, as Brits come up with alternatives while travel disruption wreaks havoc among the country’s transport network. According to data from Volkswagen Financial Services UK (VWFS), rentals on online platform Rent-a-Car have gone up 148 per cent on last year. “Lots of people have been waiting a long [...]
Chip shortages to remain into 2023, says BMW boss April 11, 2022 The shortage of semiconductors that plagued the automotive industry over the last two years is expected to remain well into 2023, said BMW boss Oliver Zipse today. “We are still in the height of the chip shortage,” he told German newspaper Neue Zuercher Zeitung. “I expect us to start seeing improvements at the latest next [...]
Drivers warned about busiest Easter on record as 21.5 million journeys planned April 11, 2022 Drivers were told to brace for the busiest Easter on record, as an estimated 21.5 million trips will be made over the bank holiday. According to automotive insurance company RAC, this year will be the busiest since it started recording traffic data in 2014. “After two years of relatively quiet Easter bank holidays on the [...]