We always scratch our heads when we don’t receive good service, OK we probably don’t we just get upset, but for the purposes of this article we scratch our heads. A situation which happens far too regularly and doesn’t seem to go away maybe illustrates why getting the service part right is so vital. Here’s the story, see if it sounds … [Read more...]
Toyota confirm another million recalls
August 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment
As we predicted in our article a few days ago (Toyota still riding out the storm) Toyota has announced another recall in the US and Canada involving more than one million Corolla and Matrix models made between 2005 and 2008 with potentially faulty engine control systems. The Japanese car manufacturer said three unconfirmed accidents were … [Read more...]
Will VW say adiós to Seat?
August 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment
How much has changed at Seat in the last 60 years? Not a great deal it appears since its humble beginnings. A tie-up between the Spanish government and Fiat saw Spain’s first car manufacturer take off. By re-badging the Fiat 600 and later the Panda, Seat struck a chord with cheap and affordable motoring and by 1967 Fiat increased its shareholding … [Read more...]
Garages failing to spot car faults
August 23, 2010 By Leave a Comment
An undercover investigation into UK car garages suggests the vast majority miss simple mechanical faults, consumer watchdog Which? has said. Which? took cars with four deliberate faults to 62 firms including both franchises and independent sites. Some 87% missed at least one problem, such as a deflated spare tyre or low brake fluid. All the … [Read more...]
Unfinished business
August 23, 2010 By 1 Comment
The Rover brand which is likely to be resurrected again by late September still has some unfinished business with some of the previous models. A pal at auction recently watched an 05 registered Rover 75 MG ZT 2.0 diesel saloon, which according to the guides should be worth somewhere around the £4,000 mark, achieve a staggering £7,000! … [Read more...]
UK car production down 8.9% in July
August 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
UK car production fell heavily in July dropping 8.9% on the same month last year as just over 98,000 cars were produced in the month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The drop comes after a run of eight straight months when production increased. "The easing of demand was anticipated following the end of … [Read more...]
East meets west as Malaysia’s car industry takes off
August 20, 2010 By 1 Comment
Having just spent several weeks on holiday in Malaysia, I was fascinated to read an article on the current state of car sale figures in the country. Other than the government pitching Malaysia as the world’s number one holiday destination for 2011, my first stop-over in Kuala Lumpur showed that Malaysia really is on the rise, and I'm not just … [Read more...]
General Motors profits hit $2.8bn so far this year
August 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment
US car giant GM has reported a second consecutive quarter of profits following its massive losses and emergence from bankruptcy protection in 2009. While GM's losses for the second half of 2009 totalled $4.3bn, the company has made a profit of $2.8bn so far in 2010. General Motors said it made a net profit of $1.6bn (£1bn) for the three months … [Read more...]
Used car prices reflect slowdown of UK economy according to BCA
August 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Latest used car price figures from British Car Auctions (BCA), appear to reflect the general slow-down in the UK economy, which has been a feature of a number of other economic barometers released in the last few days. In BCA’s latest Pulse Report the average used car value remained relatively static in July, with overall volumes, model mix and … [Read more...]
Honda to recall more than 384,000 vehicles in the US
August 12, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Japanese car manufacturer Honda is recalling more than 384,000 vehicles in the US because of problems with the “ignition interlock mechanism”. The fault could allow the ignition key to be removed without the vehicle being shifted into "Park" and could cause a car to roll away, Honda said. The recall involves about 197,000 Accord and 117,000 … [Read more...]
Indian car sales up 38% in July
August 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Car sales in India reached 158,764 units in July which is a rise of 38% over the past year according to figures from Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. Analysts said relatively low vehicle sales this time last year, plus India's continued economic growth, have helped the car industry. Orders for vehicles are expected to surge later … [Read more...]
UK Diesel car sales overtake petrol for the first time
August 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
For the first time since they began to emerge in significant numbers, more diesel powered cars were sold in the UK last month than petrol-driven alternatives. According to a new survey by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) more diesel-powered cars were sold in The UK in July than petrol-driven alternatives. The survey of … [Read more...]
Renault recall 66,000 vehicles in the UK
August 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Renault is recalling more than 66,000 cars amid fears of a faulty automatic hand brake which could apply itself while the vehicle is moving. The French car manufacturer is in the process of writing to UK owners of its Scenic II models which were made between September 2003 to June 2005. In a move likely to cost the car company in excess of … [Read more...]
Car Makers Premier League – July 2010
August 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment
It’s time once more for the Car Makers Premier League where each and every month we examine the top 20 manufacturers by number of units registered and see just how they look when compared with the previous month. At the end of the year who will be crowned champion? Who will drop out of the top 20 as the year unfolds and which high achievers will … [Read more...]
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