Category: Car stuff
UK car production falls 14% in July, says SMMT
UK car production declines -14.4% in July as model changeovers and temporary supply chain constraints restrict output. Export volumes down -16.3% but domestic demand holds up, declining by just 672 units. Production output value in first seven months of 2024 holds level, despite volume decline. UK car production fell by -14.4% in July, according to…
BMW launches card game UNO for in-car gaming
Mattel, AirConsole and BMW have announced Mattel’s classic card game UNO will be revealed next week for in-car gaming in Cologne, Germany at gamescom 2024. Visitors to the AirConsole booth will be the first to experience Uno Car Party! in the new BMW X3. The game will roll out via the AirConsole platform to over 500,000…
Two straight years of growth for new car market, claims SMMT
UK new car market rises 2.5% in July to deliver 24 consecutive months of growth. Battery electric vehicle uptake outpaces overall market, up 18.8%, but remains behind mandated transition trajectory. New outlook reduces expectations to 1.968m units for 2024, with BEVs anticipated to comprise 18.5% of uptake. The UK new car market rose by 2.5%…
Volvo extends EV range with entry-level £33,000 EX30
Volvo EX30 Core Introduction of entry-level EX30 Core trim increases the affordability of the electric SUV Available with both Single Motor and Single Motor Extended Range powertrains Equipment specification includes rear parking camera, touchscreen system with Google services built in, dashboard-mounted soundbar an an energy-saving heat pump (Single Motor Extended Range…
Ford’s hands-free driving tech BlueCruise gets EU approval
Ford BlueCruise approved by the European Commission for use in 15 European countries BlueCruise now available to customers of new Mustang Mach-E vehicles purchased in countries with Blue Zones and three additional European countries This expansion follows earlier introductions of BlueCruise in Germany, Great Britain and Spain There are more than 420,000 BlueCruise-equipped Ford…
Car production falls 7.6% in first half of 2024 as firms invest in electric future
UK car production dips -7.6% in first half of 2024 as manufacturers continue switch to EVs Electrified vehicle production YTD also down -7.6% to 157,224 units Latest independent production outlook anticipates UK producing some 910,000 cars and light vans this year, down -9.3%, as factories repurpose. Sector looks forward to working with new government on…
Nyobolt EV sportscar prototype – 10 to 80% charge in under five minutes
Nyobolt’s ultra-fast charging batteries to eliminate slow and inconvenient recharge stops move from the lab to the track Just 12 months after revealing the concept, a driveable Nyobolt EV prototype, engineered together with CALLUM, will advance testing of the technology in the real world Initial testing of the Nyobolt EV using a 350kW DC charger…
Škoda’s voice assistant Laura now with ChatGPT
Škoda’s voice assistant Laura has been expanded thanks to the integration of Chat Pro from technology partner Cerence Inc. Alongside previously available sources of information, the Chat Pro function is now directly connected to the advanced AI tool ChatGPT to answer questions beyond the scope of Laura’s original knowledge. The feature is now available…
Škoda Kodiaq – the perfect motor for a large family
Chris Price takes the latest Skoda Kodiaq seven-seater for a spin around Ireland's beautiful Ring of Kerry and is impressed with this family car, as well as the views! OK I have a confession to make. Until last week I’d never driven a Skoda. I’ve obviously heard lots about them and even some of…
Which? car hire survey results – Goldcar finishes bottom
Consumer association Which? has revealed the best and worst car hire firms and brokers - as Goldcar once again finishes bottom in its annual survey. Which? is warning travellers to be wary of car hire rip-offs this summer, as Goldcar’s 'pressure-selling tactics and dire customer service' left it languishing at the bottom of the consumer association's rankings. Which?…
