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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Cyclists and motorists engage in Twitter ‘war of words’ over Highway Code updates January 31, 2022 Cyclists and motorists have engaged in a war of words on Twitter, following the updates to the Highway Code. The rules – which came into force on Saturday – have established a hierarchy of road users to ensure “those who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat [...]
Highway Code updates come into force today January 29, 2022 The latest updates to the Highway Code have come into force, bringing a new set of precautions with them. The Department for Transport (DfT) today published a document summarising the new rules motorists, cyclists and pedestrians will need to pay attention to going forward. The new regulations introduce a hierarchy of road users to ensure [...]
Toyota crowned world’s largest car maker for second year in a row January 28, 2022 Car giant Toyota was crowned the world’s largest car maker for the second year in a row, after sales went up 10.1 per cent in 2021. The Japanese manufacturer reported today 10.5 million sales, widening the lead with rival Volkswagen, who delivered only 8.9 million vehicles – the lowest in 10 years. Toyota has managed [...]
Go green or go home: Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi invest £19.2bn in EV development January 27, 2022 A consortium formed by automotive giants Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi will invest €23bn (£19.2bn) within the next five years to develop electric vehicles (EV). As part of its Alliance 2030 electrification strategy, the consortium will increase the number of common EV platforms from four to five, developing 35 new EV models by 2030. The car [...]
UK car output worst since 1956 but EVs and investment brighten 2022 outlook January 27, 2022 2021 was a dismal year for the UK automotive industry, as output fell 6.7 per cent to less than 860,000 units – the lowest since 1956. Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that production went down 34 per cent on pre-pandemic levels, especially as a result of the [...]
Vroom vroom! Cazoo buys Italian online retailer in €80m deal January 26, 2022 Online car retailer Cazoo announced today it will acquire Italian rival Brumbrum in a €80m (£66.8m) deal. Cazoo will acquire Brumbrum in a mix of cash and Cazoo shares, with the transaction expected to be carried out in the next few days. By acquiring Brumbrum, the UK company will have access to the five most [...]