The first apprentice at Buckler’s Hard Yacht Harbour has won the ViewHR Award for Apprentice of the Year in the 2024 New Forest Brilliance in Business Awards... Kim adds: I realise that Buckler's Hard Yacht Harbour, just down the road from, and linked with, Beaulieu, is not about motoring, but many of our Wheels-Alive readers are interested in boating as well as motor vehicles, and I … [Read more...]
News & Views
Our take on what’s been happening in the world of motoring
We appreciate that these days there are vast quantities of motoring news items freely available to all, from huge numbers of global sources. It would be impossible to bring them all to you through these pages – so we are not even going to try!
Instead, we will include selected motoring-related stories which we feel will be of interest. Depending on the item, we hope that they will also inform, encourage, entertain and provoke further thought!
Each item will be dated, and as new stories arrive, older posts will be archived chronologically.
November 2024 UK new car sales – makers pull back sales to avoid EV penalties
Deliveries of new cars fell by -1.9% in the UK during November with 153,610 joining the road, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. By Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). It is the second consecutive monthly decline, and the third decline in four months, as the market contracts amid the race to meet tough EV market share targets. Demand from private buyers, among … [Read more...]
Buckler’s Hard historical significance to be highlighted on BBC2
Buckler's Hard has played a vital role in the history of naval shipbuilding in Britain, and the village, plus Beaulieu River, was crucial too in wartime activities, including the D-Day landings... Buckler's Hard tells us: (Photograph and all words from Buckler's Hard). Villages by the Sea - Buckler’s Hard takes the spotlight on BBC Two Buckler’s Hard is set to take centre stage … [Read more...]
Motorists continue to be ripped off at fuel pumps and public EV chargers…
Motorists are still being overcharged for fuel and public EV recharging, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales)... Motorists are paying too much to keep driving, say Government watchdogs and the RAC. Petrol and diesel prices are staying high because there are fewer forecourts vying for business, according to the latest report from the Competition and Markets Authority. And EV … [Read more...]
JAECOO 7 premium SUV arrives in the UK – pricing announced and order books open
The JAECOO 7 is a newcomer on the British motoring scene; the firm tells us: (Photograph and all words from OMODA&JAECOO). ● First model from premium off-road brand JAECOO brings affordable luxury to C-SUV segment ● JAECOO 7 is available in 1.6-litre petrol or PHEV with prices starting at £29,435 and £35,065 respectively ● 60-litre fuel tank and 18.3kW battery combine … [Read more...]
Drive safely and legally this winter
Winter pushes our vehicles to the limit, and to help you stay safe and legal when driving at this time of year, here are some handy tips from Marc Russell, CCO at car maintenance marketplace FixMyCar (https://www.whocanfixmycar.com/)... He tells us: (All words from FixMyCar:). “Winter has a reputation for pushing vehicles to their limit and transforming roads into chaos. Many drivers are … [Read more...]
All about potholes – including how to report them to make a claim
Helpful advice from Sam Sheehan, motoring editor at online used car retailer cinch: https://www.cinch.co.uk/ (Mercedes-Benz models on cinch: https://www.cinch.co.uk/used-cars/mercedes-benz) Sam tells us: (All words from Sam Sheehan at cinch; photograph © Kim Henson). Potholes: How You Can Protect Your Car from Damage and Stay Safe According to the RAC, there are currently more than one … [Read more...]
AJ Fleetcare crowned winner of The Motor Ombudsman’s 2024 National Garage Star Award
AJ Fleetcare is overall national winner of The Motor Ombudsman's Star Awards. The Motor Ombudsman tells us: (All words and photographs from The Motor Ombudsman). AJ Fleetcare, a family-owned independent garage in Leeds, Yorkshire, has been crowned the overall national winner of The Motor Ombudsman’s 2024 Star Awards, becoming the third independent garage to claim the … [Read more...]
Electric OMODA E5 gains Euro NCAP five-star safety rating
OMODA E5 joins petrol engined OMODA 5 in achieving a five-star EuroNCAP safety rating. They tell us: (All words and images from OMODA). The new all-electric OMODA E5 has been awarded a five-star safety rating in the latest test results from the European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP). This result aligns with the petrol engined OMODA 5, which achieved a five-star score when it was … [Read more...]
Britain’s car market is turning around
The landscape of leading car brands in Britain is looking different with the arrival of more pure electric cars… says Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) Traditional market leading brands are taking a back seat as manufacturers who were among the first to "go-electric" are making big inroads among motorists and businesses seeking to "go-green" and the Skoda Enyaq was top BEV. SMMT … [Read more...]
Technicians and car owners urged by Melett to think ‘turbo’ this winter
Turbocharger specialist Melett tells us: (All words and photographs from Melett). The trusted aftermarket brand for precision engineered turbochargers and parts, Melett, is urging technicians to stay on top of turbo maintenance this winter and has offered best practice tips to help customers prolong the life of their turbo, as temperatures plummet. Lubrication is a key element to … [Read more...]
Do your homework when selling your car, to maximise its value
Taking care when preparing your car for sale can increase its value by between 10 and 20 per cent... Pamela Murdoch, vehicle specialist at used car supermarket Available Car (https://www.availablecar.com/) shares her advice. (All words from Available Car). “When preparing to sell your car, there are several important steps to consider. One of the key factors is ensuring you have a … [Read more...]
The Motor Ombudsman takes a glimpse at this year’s Christmas get-away by car
Motor Ombudsman takes a look at 'Car-istmas' to help Britain's motorists ahead of the festive break. They tell us: (All words and photographs from The Motor Ombudsman). Leaving 48 hours in the lead-up to Christmas Day has emerged as the preferred time for motorists to hit the road for their destination Some of the biggest 'festive fears' stated by respondents ahead of the holiday … [Read more...]
Kia Sorento HEV 2 – Road Test
The motor trade and industry has had a bad year, but you’d not know it from sales of Kia models including their big seven-seat Sorento SUV, writes Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales). While rivals have rushed to shrink their ranges and look only towards pure electric models which we know are coming over the decade, Kia has slowly and very carefully tweaked its line up so they still offer … [Read more...]
Veteran cars pioneer sustainable fuels on this year’s RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Run
The world's longest-running motoring event looks ahead to the future as the Royal Automobile Club teams up with SUSTAIN... They tell us: (All words and photographs from the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run). With all the entrants dating back to the dawn of motoring, the RM Sotheby’s London to Brighton Veteran Car Run is the world’s greatest celebration of automotive history. This … [Read more...]
Anthony Hamilton to celebrate TR2 recommission and partial restoration at the Classic Motor Show, NEC
The National Motor Museum tells us: (Photograph and all words from The National Motor Museum). Anthony Hamiliton, father to the seven-time Formula One drivers’ champion Lewis Hamilton, is to visit the National Motor Museum’s stand at the Classic Motor Show this week to celebrate his team’s skilled restoration of a 1954 Triumph TR2. The car was bequeathed by Mr D A Simes to the Beaulieu … [Read more...]
Donated Land Speed Record Sunbeam 1000hp artwork on display at The National Motor Museum, Beaulieu
The National Motor Museum tells us... (Image and all words from The National Motor Museum). Innovative artwork by a renowned automotive artist Richard Neergaard has gone on permanent display at the National Motor Museum. The artwork features the Sunbeam 1000hp Land Speed Record vehicle and has been donated to the Museum by Richard to support current efforts to restore the iconic … [Read more...]
UK’s new car market contracts in October 2024
Robin Roberts (and WheelsWithinWales) reports... October saw another month of contraction in the new car market, a concerning trend following August's end to two years of continuous growth. This decline is particularly worrying, as it highlights the volatility of the market right now, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association. UK new car buyers now … [Read more...]
Porter Press International wins top award at the Royal Automobile Club Motoring Book of the Year ceremony
Porter Press International had a total of four books shortlisted for the prestigious awards... They tell us: (All words and images from porter press International). Overall trophy awarded to The Austin Pedal Car Story by Dr David Whyley Doug Nye’s The Last Eye Witness: The pioneering motor racing photography of Maurice Louis Branger 1902-1914 wins Motorsport Book of the … [Read more...]
This year’s London to Brighton Run honours motoring milestones
This year's magical RM Sotheby's Veteran Car Run pays special tribute to Fiat and the Ladies' Automobile Club... RM Sotheby's tells us: (All words and images from RM Sotheby's). London was still shrouded in pre-dawn darkness as more than 350 pioneering veteran cars, their intrepid drivers, plucky passengers plus crowds of early-rising well-wishers gathered in Hyde Park this morning (Sunday, … [Read more...]
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