It's a new beginning for Hyundai’s premium Genesis brand when it goes on UK sale this summer, says Robin Roberts (and Wheels Within Wales). There will not be a dealer network but the manufacturer will have a Genesis Studio in Westfield shopping centre, London and also provide sales on-line. Prices begin about £35,000 for the saloon and £50,000 for the SUV, and will be fixed and … [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.
National Metro and Mini Show first such event this year at the British Motor Museum
The British Motor Museum is delighted to welcome back the ‘National Metro & Mini Show’ as its first event of the 2021 show season. The popular family show, which returns in line with government guidelines on Sunday 6 June, is the main event of the year for Metros, classic Minis and modern MINIs to celebrate a great day out. Hundreds of models will be on display including ‘621 AOK’, the … [Read more...]
Drivetrain problems to the fore in Motor Ombudsman figures
Drivetrain components top causes of service and repair disputes brought to The Motor Ombudsman in Q1... • Vehicle drivetrain components were the source of more than half (58%) of the service and repair disputes brought by customers to The Motor Ombudsman in the first quarter of this year • Problems with a vehicle’s bodywork, and parts associated with the chassis, were responsible … [Read more...]
Honda is boosting its electric offensive with the introduction of the e:HRV in November.
Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) gives his preliminary assessment of Honda's new HR-V hybrid... The new generation HRV uses two electric motors driving the front wheels to assist the regular 1.5 litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine but it’s not a plug-in hybrid. The 131 PS maximum powertrain develops 253 Nm (187 lb.ft) at 4,500 rpm and is essentially a boosted version of that in the Honda Jazz. … [Read more...]
Honda’s latest HR-V hybrid arrives
Honda HR-V e:HEV breaks cover…… Kim Henson previews the newcomer. Honda’s drive towards electrification of its range continues apace, and in fact is accelerating. During an online press unveiling of the new HR-V e:HEV this week, the firm told us that low/zero emission technology is gaining ground faster in Europe than anywhere else in the world, and that the entire Honda mainstream line-up is … [Read more...]
Scrapped For Cash…
Britain's best selling car is also top of the scrapheap... Robin Roberts reports... Scrap Car Network data indicates that Brits scrapped a third more cars in 2020, with the humble Ford Focus leading the way with over 2,535 of the model being scrapped. It says a record 37,000 cars were scrapped last year. Models of Ford, Vauxhall, Volkswagen and Peugeot all featured in top ten cars that drivers … [Read more...]
Installing an ‘A’ Frame rear suspension set-up to an Austin A30 or A35
Hylton Reid describes how he tackled this job, to improve rear axle location and dynamic behaviour... (All words and photographs courtesy Hylton Reid; © H. G. Reid 2020). Note: All information given in good faith; please work safely and if in any doubt about your own abilities to carry out the work, entrust the job to competent professionals. The purpose of this article is to show how an “A” … [Read more...]
The Motor Ombudsman reports optimism among retail sellers of new and used cars
Motor Ombudsman snap poll reveals air of optimism amongst car retailers for second quarter of 2021... Non-essential businesses, including car showrooms, will be welcoming customers back to their premises during April, as Covid-19 restrictions continue to be eased The Motor Ombudsman-accredited car retailers surveyed in the snap poll are expecting new and used car sales in the … [Read more...]
Electric car sales are charging ahead on British roads.
Robin Roberts writes... Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show EV registrations hit a record and hybrid sales last month were higher than September 2020, the previous best for the dual fuel vehicles. There are signs that companies have started to buy more hybrids and BEVs and are ditching diesel models. RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said, “Despite the ongoing effect of the … [Read more...]
Culture Recovery Fund helps British Motor Museum
British Motor Museum awarded £261,500 from Government’s Culture Recovery Fund... The British Motor Museum says that it is delighted to announce it has been awarded an additional £261,500 from the second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund. The Museum is among more than 2,700 recipients to benefit from the latest round of awards. This is in addition to the £707,000 which was … [Read more...]
Shows and activities all summer at the British Motor Museum…
A full schedule is planned for the British Motor Museum this coming summer... The British Motor Museum is gearing up to run a full schedule of motoring shows and events this year. Following the Government’s road map announcement the Museum is planning to reopen on 17 May and is delighted to say that its popular show season will also return in line with all government guidelines. Over 14 shows … [Read more...]
Wellhouse Leisure Toyota campervan presented to BBC Children in Need competition winner
Wellhouse Leisure Toyota Proace Matino campervan presented to winner of BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal ‘Campervan and Staycation Goodies’ competition... Wellhouse Leisure Toyota Proace Matino campervan presented to winner of BBC Children in Need’s 2020 Appeal ‘Campervan and Staycation Goodies’ prize draw at Jemca Toyota Edgware Road dealership in North London The campervan was donated … [Read more...]
Drivers well aware of their MoT responsibilities
Motor Ombudsman study shows MOTs remain front of mind for drivers a year on from extension launch... Nearly 10 million vehicles were granted an MOT exemption during the first national lockdown to help stem the spread of Coronavirus Despite this volume of MOTs being postponed, a Motor Ombudsman-commissioned YouGov poll of UK drivers found that 89% knew when their car’s … [Read more...]
Visit the British Motor Museum from your own home (or wherever you are) this Easter!
Bringing the British Motor Museum to you this Easter... Like all indoor British/UK attractions the British Motor Museum will not be allowed to open its doors and welcome visitors this Easter, but they have not let this deter them! Instead they have put together a programme of activities and events that everyone can enjoy – bringing the Museum to people’s homes. Throughout April families can … [Read more...]
New Chairman announced for the Independent Garage Association (IGA)
Rob Collison elected Chairman of the Independent Garage Association... The Independent Garage Association (IGA), which represents the independent garage sector in the UK, says that is pleased to announce the appointment of Rob Collison as Chairman effective from March 2021. Rob succeeds Colin Parlett, who recently stepped down from the role after many years. Rob Collison is the Managing … [Read more...]
Government cuts grants to buyers of electric vehicles…
The Government is immediately slashing the grant for battery electric vehicles, lowering the price ceiling while altering the qualification for electric vans – and further reductions will come. Robin Roberts reports... Its unheralded announcement about the changes effective today have been criticised by car makers, dealers, motoring organisations and fleet companies, who say it sends the wrong … [Read more...]
Vivaro-based campervan conversion by Wellhouse Leisure from Barnsley awarded Quality Certificate by Vauxhall/PSA/Stellantis
Yorkshire campervan converter receives Vauxhall (Groupe PSA) Quality Certificate and orders from 15 Vauxhall dealers... Yorkshire-based Wellhouse Leisure says that it is delighted to announce that is has been awarded a Quality Certificate from Vauxhall's parent company, Groupe PSA (now Stellantis) for its campervan conversion of the Vauxhall Vivaro van. They go on to advise that … [Read more...]
Jobs to go at Aston Martin Lagonda’s St Athan plant
Nearly 200 jobs or 30% of the Aston Martin Lagonda workforce is going at St Athan. Robin Roberts reports... The luxury car maker confirmed the losses today (10th March 2021) after Unite spelled out the situation. New management has taken over at AML and the backers have changed, suggesting it does not have the same financial support it had just 12 months ago when the first DBX SUV models were … [Read more...]
Increase in percentage of ethanol in standard grade UK petrol further threatens older vehicle fuel systems
Ethanol percentage hike means more bad news for owners of older cars... Kim Henson advises... As has been widely forecast during the last few years – including on Wheels-Alive – the imminent introduction (now confirmed by the U.K.'s Department of Transport) of 'standard grade' 95 octane fuel containing up to 10 per cent ethanol is very bad news indeed for the owners of older vehicles, and not … [Read more...]
SMMT Budget response, plus top ten new car sellers in Britain in February
The Budget is first aid for the motor industry but will not fix underlying long term ailments, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders... ...writes Robin Roberts. “Today’s budget provides some encouragement to an automotive sector hit hard by the pandemic and additional trading costs but it falls short of the support needed to transform the industry and market to the net zero … [Read more...]
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