'The History of the Wheel' – and how important wheels are to us all... Kim Henson writes... With a website name like 'Wheels-Alive', we ought to be interested in wheels, and of course we are! I am indebted to Teacher Martin who has written to me to advise of an after-school education programme in which she is involved, for a "special group of children". She tells me that they have been … [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.
Changing vehicle technology requires new skills…
A new technology time-bomb is ticking in the used car trade. Robin Roberts reports. Rapidly changing vehicle technology means that the remarketing sector is going to have to undergo an unprecedented period of upskilling over the next decade, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The organisation – which represent companies that handle, sell, inspect, transport or manage more than 1.5 … [Read more...]
‘Our Friends Electric’?
UK drivers buy more cars but are turned away from plug-in hybrids as a vital buying incentive is withdrawn... Robin Roberts tells the story. As the Geneva motor show opens, figures show UK car sales beat expectations and rose 1.4 percent February, boosted by rising sales of petrol and alternative-fuelled cars, according to the SMMT. Sales rose to 81,969 units from 80,805 in February … [Read more...]
Financial Conduct Authority investigates customer over-charging in the car sales market
Too much interest... Robin Roberts reports... Some methods used by finance brokers to reward car dealers that end up overcharging an estimated 560,000 customers about 300 million pounds a year are to be banned. The Financial Conduct Authority found widespread use of commission models that allow brokers to set the customer interest rate and thus earn higher commission. “We found that some … [Read more...]
Which cars are built in Britain?
Buying British-made cars could help bolster the UK car industry... However, from an Aston Martin to a Vauxhall Astra, which cars are made here? Honda is closing its Swindon plant, which built 160,000 Honda Civics last year; Nissan has reversed its decision to build the new X-Trail SUV in Sunderland; and The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned in February that the car … [Read more...]
Penalty points galore across Britain… and especially around Bristol!
MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION MOTORISTS HAVE AT LEAST THREE PENALTY POINTS ON THEIR LICENCES... Bristol drivers have racked up the most points on their licences, research reveal: 6.8% of Bristol population have at least three penalty points on their driving licences 6.4% of population in Slough and Halifax have at least three points on their licences Over 5,500 drivers in BS16 postcode … [Read more...]
New chapter of Bridgestone partnership with Volkswagen
Bridgestone and VW work together on motor sport and electric vehicles... A long-term partner for a new challenge: Bridgestone Potenza tyres will provide the optimum performance when the Volkswagen ID. R aims to beat the lap record for electro-vehicles on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife in summer 2019. Having worked together for a long-time creating equipment for production vehicles, the German … [Read more...]
A sad day for the British motor industry as Honda announces the closure of its Swindon facility
The end of an era for Honda in Britain... by Kim Henson. This morning it has been confirmed by Honda that the company will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021, with the loss of approximately 3,500 jobs. This devastating news for those involved, and in the supply chain, and of course in the local economy in the Swindon area, amounts to one of the saddest ever days in the history of car … [Read more...]
Latest Citroën Berlingo seven seater MPV – Road Test
New Citroën Berlingo functional as well as potentially fashionable… David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test drives a seven seater version. MPV multi-purpose vehicles, or ‘people carriers’, as we knew them in their heydays of the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, have lost out in terms of sales to the growing desirability of owing an SUV – ‘sports utility vehicle’. But manufacturers of MPV type … [Read more...]
“I’M IN LOVE WITH MY CAR” SAY BRITISH MOTORISTS
NOT JUST A SONG BY QUEEN… 98% of UK drivers say they love their cars this valentine’s day. - 4 out of 10 say it never lets them down - 8 out of 10 say it gives them a sense of freedom This Valentine’s Day, 98% of the UK’s drivers are spending it with something they love, even if this is a vehicle. Maybe this is because for eight out of ten drivers, cars give them a sense of freedom and … [Read more...]
John H. Haynes OBE, creator of Haynes Manuals and founder of Haynes Publishing Group, passes away…
Legendary creator and publisher of technical motoring books, John H. Haynes OBE, will be sadly missed by countless do-it-yourself enthusiasts and mechanics he has helped over many decades... Kim Henson pays tribute... I was extremely sad to hear this evening (11th February) of the news of the passing of John H. Haynes OBE. Countless car owners (including me, on many occasions) and … [Read more...]
Audi A4 Avant 40 TDI quattro – Road Test
2019 model year Audi A4 Avant 40TDI quattro tried and tested. By Robin Roberts (and Miles Better News Agency). While SUVs are the flavour of the season, there’re rich pickings for manufacturers and drivers in cars like the Audi A4 Avant. Most SUVs are rarely used to their full capacity or ability but an estate car, particularly a sporting estate like the Black Edition 40TDI quattro tested, … [Read more...]
Go careful – Virtual reality brings the world’s most dangerous road to you…
Ever wondered what it would be like to experience the world’s most dangerous stretch of road? Comparethemarket.com has driven an average vehicle down the North Yungas Road to show users what this treacherous journey is like - from the comfort of their own sofas. From sheer drops next to the roadside to lush rainforest scenery, check out all the behind-the-scenes footage or watch the full … [Read more...]
Volvo V60 estate – Road Test
THE 2019 V60 CONTINUES VOLVO’S HERITAGE OF PRODUCING ESTATES. David Miles (Miles Better News Agency) test drives the latest version… Last year Volvo in the UK outperformed the new car market with sales. Whereas the market fell by 7%, Volvo increased their sales by 9% to achieve 50,319 registrations with their award-winning new range of models This year the brand is aiming for 60,000 plus … [Read more...]
Winter could still turn and bite… be prepared!
With over two months of winter left to run, the UK may still have to brace itself for yet another wave of cold and snowy weather in February and March. It pays to be ready, just in case... However, just how well prepared is the nation to face the elements? Select Car Leasing has conducted a national survey of 1,200 motorists to find out if the British public has learned its lesson. Key … [Read more...]
Winners and losers in sales of new car sales in Britain…
Robin Roberts reports on the latest car sales figures... Sales of hybrid and electric cars soared over 26% last month and slowed the fall in registrations of recent months, according to figures from the car makers. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders say registrations were only 1.6% down in January at 161,013 new cars, with private buyers leading the way as business and fleet models … [Read more...]
Stolen Ford Anglia recovered….
Delighted to say that the Ford Anglia 123E 1200 Super stolen last night near Exeter has now been recovered... Further to our feature on Wheels-Alive earlier today about the prized possession Ford Anglia 1200 Super stolen last night from near Exeter, thankfully the car has now been traced and recovered... The widespread and immediate power of social media came into play, and incredibly, a friend … [Read more...]
Have you seen this Ford Anglia, stolen last night 31st January (near Exeter)?
STOLEN! THIS LOVELY FORD ANGLIA 1200 SUPER Just in case any Wheels-Alive readers spot this car, I am very sad (and even more angry) to report that this excellent condition, and much-loved, Ford Anglia 1200 Super, belonging to a friend, was stolen last night between 7pm and 8pm from his driveway near Exeter in Devon. If you spot this vehicle, anywhere, or if you hear anyone talking about it in … [Read more...]
Poor driving conditions forecast for many – take it easy out there
Kim Henson encourages caution if you have to drive... With snow, ice and very poor driving conditions forecast for many parts of Britain over the next 24 hours or so, caution is urged. Slippery surfaces can be very difficult to drive on, even when taking care, and over the last few days there have already been many collisions. Although modern vehicles are fitted with a variety of safety aids, … [Read more...]
‘Hand-built’ Mercedes SL sports car – created in Wales!
Top quality classic Mercedes SL has pride of place at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands. Robin Roberts reports... A remanufactured Mercedes-Benz sports car created in Wales is now taking pride of place in the German manufacturer’s leading UK centre. The hand-built SL sports car dates from 1968 and is owned by former racing driver Paul Rees who had it completely stripped, renovated, and rebuilt … [Read more...]
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