News for April 2010
Are car buyers going green?
Friday, 30 April 2010 by William Hobson
Two conflicting reports are making different claims on whether or not Britain's car buyers are becoming green.
According to Government statistics from the Department for Transport, there has been a distinct trend for vehicles with smaller, more efficient engines. The average engine size of new cars bought in 2009 dropped by 3.6% from 2008 - whilst their average CO2 ...
Alfa's new model a throwback to 60's elegance
Friday, 30 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Milan-based design consultancy Zagato, famed for its avantgarde spicing up of brands such as Maserati, Aston Martin and Lancia, are to collaborate on a new project with fellow Italian's Alfa Romeo.
Such is the prowess of the Zagato Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa that supercar owners should be entering showrooms to proclaim ''I must sell my ...
SMMT report shows car buyers returning to the market this March
Thursday, 29 April 2010 by William Hobson
The latest sales figures from March indicate that new and used car buyers are returning to the motor trade in their droves.
March is often seen as the most important sales month of the year. For many dealers, there is no better time for selling a car than the month where first license plates of 2010 make way for the new ...
New offering from Bentley
Thursday, 29 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
For £200,000 you could buy a London flat the size of a postage stamp or to be rather more decadent, you could spend your cash for cars like the new Bentley Mulsanne.
Arguably, the Bentley is bigger than your average studio apartment at 5.5 metres long and its bulk is carried elegantly by 21 inch wheels. ...
Nissan to run out of Leaf's
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Nissan has announced that demand for their new electric car the Leaf is so great that it could mean the manufacturer will run out of stock.
The order book for the cars opens in July time, but it is reported that Nissan sales staff will not need to create ''buy my car'' style promotions, as interest is already mounting at great ...
The Guardian offers advice on how to reduce fuel consumption
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
With petrol prices escalating to record highs and more of us spending time at the pump, many people are trading their cars in for more economical models or finding ways to drive more fuel efficiently.
The Guardian has attempted to help the latter group, by providing advice on how to reduce fuel consumption, offering a series of handy tips for owners to save fuel
Convertible prices on the rise
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
From April to September, the demand for convertible cars rises dramatically according to motoring industry commentators.
This rise in demand from both new and used car buyers is attributed to the return of sunnier climates in the UK. In recent weeks, temperatures have risen considerably and there has been little rain in most ...
Makers of Mercedes reveal profit in first quarter
Wednesday, 28 April 2010 by Tanisha Sakhawat
The German luxury car brand, Daimler AG who are responsible for Mercedes Benz, have reported a healthy profit this year compared to last year.
The brand says it has made a net profit of 612 million euros in the first quarter, meaning it is up after a loss of 1.3 billion euros last year.
The world's second largest luxury car maker said that its profit reflects the ...
Top Gear goes stateside
Monday, 26 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Immensely popular TV show Top Gear is to be recreated in a US TV spin off, with a new series of presenters and car capers.
In collaboration with the History Channel and BBC Worldwide, an American version of the show will be launched in the Autumn. As with the UK version, Top Gear US will provide advice for used car buyers, new ...
Car buyers should consider their finances reveals new research
Monday, 26 April 2010 by William Hobson
New research from Sainsbury's Finance reveals that many car buyers aren't considering the full cost of their purchase.
According for figures in Sainsbury's Finance Car Buying Index, nearly a quarter of people who plan to buy a car in the next six months will get into debt to do so. The research reveals that many people are ...
MG unveils supermini plans
Friday, 23 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Car manufacturer MG is set to produce a new supermini known as the Zero, in a bid to rival attempts from the likes of Saab who are also considering manufacturing a smaller model.
Unveiled at the Beijing motorshow, the Zero is a small hatchback to entice Ford Fiesta and VW Polo car buyers. The model was developed and ...
Daily Telegraph dispenses advice on right time for selling a car or to be a car buyer
Thursday, 22 April 2010 by William Hobson
Daily Telegraph writer Andrew English has given some timely advice for anyone who's currently selling a car or is in the position of a car buyer; when is the best time to sell or buy a car?
Investigating the old folk wisdom claim that "you should sell your sports car in the spring for the best price and a 4x4 in the autumn,'' English ...
Ninety per cent rise in car production
Thursday, 22 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Car production rose by an astonishing 90 per cent last month it was revealed by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This dramatic increase in production is the highest on record, reflecting what a serious position the car industry was in during the heights of the recession.
With more cars coming onto the market, eager buyers are expected to part with their ...
20% of car buyers don't take a test drive claims survey
Wednesday, 21 April 2010 by William Hobson
Car buyers may be looking to make a much more significant purchase than getting a new outfit but according to a new survey, one in five won't even take a test drive before they commit to the new vehicle.
A poll of 2,000 motorists found that many car buyers are intimidated by the process and feel that they act before they think ...
James Bond Aston Martin to go to auction
Wednesday, 21 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
After nearly twenty years abandoned in a barn, the anonymous owner of an iconic Aston Martin DB5 has uttered to auctioneers that ''I need to sell my Aston Martin'' after reportedly lacking in funds to restore the car to its former glory.
The DB5 was one of the most expensive and seductive models on ...
MG TF to be reborn
Monday, 19 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
In news to excite car enthusiasts across the country, manufacturer MG has announced that it is to create a new model to replace the uber popular MG TF.
Staying true to its British heritage, the new MG is to be created at its old haunt of Longbridge, where the downfall of Rover is still fresh in many people's minds.
Auto Express report that after numerous attempts on ...
WhatCar? poll shows motorists have little faith in politics
Monday, 19 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Motoring publication WhatCar? has commissioned a survey showing that nearly half of motorists have no faith in any of the major UK political parties.
The report, published last Thursday, reflects that out of the 34 million drivers in the UK, 43 per cent of these cite that they have no belief in Labour, the Conservatives or Liberal Democrats.
The WhatCar? survey polled ...
An eco Lotus... Pardon?
Monday, 19 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Yes its true, sportscar legends Lotus have announced that they are to produce an eco friendly model. Rather than choosing to make a Prius or Leaf counterpart, the British car manufacturer is to launch a green makeover of its ever popular Lotus Elise.
As with Elise's of recent years, the new model offers a range of specifications, from a 1.6 litre R and SC version, to a 1.8 ...
Used car buyers in search for stock over next two years claims new report
Friday, 16 April 2010 by William Hobson
Selling a car could be a particularly good move for private owners over the next two years as reports indicate that used car market is facing a period of stock shortages.
Although a recent report from Sainsbury's finance indicates that the next six months from now to September will see a marked increase in the number of new and used ...
More space on the road these days?
Friday, 16 April 2010 by Laura Nineham
The number of cars on the roads in the UK has fallen, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
For the first time in over 60 years there are 220,000 less cars on the network than last year. It's the only time since the Second World War when there hasn't been a year-on-year increase in the number of cars.
Interest from car buyers on the rise over the next few months
Thursday, 15 April 2010 by William Hobson
The auto trade industry has been through a turbulent couple of years and confidence in selling a car for both private owners and big brand retailers has understandably been shaken.
With the end of the scrappage scheme this year, many people could be forgiven for thinking that it will become much harder to find a good way of getting ...
Toyota Yaris destroyed by giant ''stone chip''
Thursday, 15 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Whilst the Toyota brand is slowly recovering from the recall debacle, fortunes for one Yaris owner have not improved after her car was completely flattened by a large rock.
One of the most popular superminis for used car buyers, the new shaped Yaris was parked in the Derbyshire village of Hayfield in the Peak District ...
Meet the new Brabus project: The Mercedes SL65
Wednesday, 14 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Brabus, the famous German car tuners extraordinaire are set to launch an 800bhp uber slick version of the Mercedes SL65.
According to Top Gear, the multi award winning tuners who have brought us the likes of the Brabus S V12, based on the Maybach 57, are planning to boost the performance of the SL65, taking it to the next level in car royalty.
The SL65 Black ...
Conservatives plan a fuel price cut
Monday, 12 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
In the run up to the May 6 General Election, the Conservative Party have outlined plans to cut the cost of petrol by around ten pence, should oil prices remain high.
The Daily Telegraph reports that party leader David Cameron is to announce that fuel duty would be lifted for a given time, to stop drivers from feeling the effects of high oil wholesale prices.
This ...
Hyundai tops satisfaction survey
Monday, 12 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
The Hyundai i30 is the most satisfying car to own according to the Auto Express Driver Power Survey 2010.
The manufacturer was the surprise winner of the annual reliability and satisfaction poll, trouncing the likes of last year's winner the Jaguar XF and the third placed Skoda Octavia, becoming the first Korean car maker to win the elusive survey.
23,000 ...
Nissan to build rival for Golf
Monday, 12 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
Industry commentators and car buyers alike are discussing Nissan's plans to rival the ever popular Volkswagen Golf, with a revamped Almera type model.
Nissan moved away from the mid sized family market, ceasing production of its Almera and Primera models to concentrate on city superminis, crossovers and 4X4 vehicles. This ...
Ferrari 599 GTO revealed
Friday, 9 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
The first pictures of the new Ferrari 599 GTO have been released, much to the excitement of sportscar enthusiasts. If you listen very carefully, you may hear current Ferrari owners muttering ''I'm going to sell my Ferrari F430,'' buying the first GTO available for 26 years.
The limited edition model draws its ...
Sell your car for cash and join a car club
Thursday, 8 April 2010 by Laura Nineham
It has been revealed that it costs on average over £2,500 each year to maintain a car, according to research by Sainsbury's Finance.
With the increase in fuel duty that figure is set to grow. One suggestion to counteract the increasing price of owning and running a car is to sell your car for cash and join a car ...
Toyota defies recall debarcle
Wednesday, 7 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
After a recall scandal which saw Toyota's most popular models facing safety fears, most expected the manufacturer to suffer.
However, it doesn't appear that such a public relations crisis has damaged Toyota's home-grown sales, as its Prius hybrid model has become the best selling car in Japan, according to figures by the Japan Automobile Dealers ...
Scrappage scheme results
Thursday, 1 April 2010 by Sarah Howard
The scrappage scheme has now ended, prompting motoring commentators to ponder its results and outcomes.
Latest preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that Hyundai, Ford, Kia, Fiat and Toyota were the biggest winners from the scheme, selling from 38,780 to 25,192 vehicles respectively.
The scrappage ...
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