Archive for February, 2010
Motorists to get up to £5,000 towards cost of ultra-low carbon car
Britain is set for an automotive revolution with the Government launching a £230 million ultra-low carbon car incentive programme. The ‘Plug-in Car Grant’ is expected to reduce car prices by providing 25% towards the cost of a new car, capped at £5,000, and will be open to both private and business fleet buyers. From January 2011 - a [...]
SMMT chief urges pan-European approach to digital radio in vehicles
A pan-European approach to the introduction of digital radio in vehicles is vital to a successful switchover, Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has told a House of Lords Communications Committee inquiry. By 2013, all vehicles should be manufactured with digital radio as standard. By 2015, when the [...]
Spyker takes over Saab and promises ‘bold’ developments
Spyker Cars has taken control of Swedish manufacturer Saab from its US parent company General Motors. The transfer of ownership took place on Tuesday (February 23) and prior to the close of the deal Saab exited liquidation and control was reinstated to Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile’s CEO, and his management team. Going forward Saab [...]
UK fuel prices plateau but fail to reflect cheaper wholesale cost
UK average petrol prices have stagnated at around 112p a litre for a month despite a 2p fall in the wholesale cost, according to the latest AA Fuel Price Report. Between mid-January and mid-February, the average UK price of petrol edged up from 111.8p per litre to 112.1p. But, wholesale petrol prices that had been above 34p a litre in early [...]
All-new Focus to head Ford’s Geneva show model line-up
Ford will give a world debut to its all-new lower medium sector model at the Geneva Motor Show, which opens on Tuesday (March 2). Few official details of the new Focus have emerged, which will appear alongside final versions of the Ford C-Max and Grand C-Max, which will go on sale this year. The manufacturer will also unveil revisions to the [...]
Nissan Micra replacement to debut at Geneva Motor Show
Nissan will give a world debut to its all-new global compact car at the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of next month. Particular attention, says the manufacturer, has been made to minimising weight on the platform, with the added benefits that it can bring in terms of economy and emissions. Sales will begin in Thailand in April, with [...]
Prices revealed for new Mini Countryman range
The seven-strong all-new Mini Countryman range will go on sale in the UK on September 18 with prices starting at £16,000 on-the-road for the entry-level One extending to £20,810 for the Cooper S. Claimed to be the largest Mini model ever, the Countryman is the first Mini four-door, five-seat model and extends the brand to four model lines [...]
New VED regime offers fleets the chance to save money
Despite increasing lease rental costs over a typical three-year term by almost £600 for those cars in the highest category for CO2 emissions (255+ g/km CO2), the new Vehicle Excise Duty rates, to be introduced in April, may actually present fleets with the chance to save thousands of pounds, according to experts at Lombard. By switching from [...]
New Volkswagen Touareg range includes hybrid option
Volkswagen has revealed the all-new Touareg - a car which is up to 200 kg lighter and up to 20% more fuel efficient than the model it replaces and, first the first time, includes a hybrid model. Production of the new Touareg for the UK market starts in June before first deliveries commence in August. Prices and specifications will be [...]
New €11bn investment plan to transform Vauxhall/Opel revealed
General Motors Europe has announced a five-year €11 billion ‘Plan for the Future’ designed to reinvigorate 80% of Vauxhall/Opel carlines and place a strong emphasis on alternative propulsions. The product offensive and new investments to 2014 will, according to chief executive officer Nick Reilly, put the brands on a sustainable path to [...]