Good Year for Skoda
Skoda UK is on track for a record year selling 61% more cars in the first half of this year compared to 2009.
In the first six months of this year, Skoda has sold 23,248 vehicles, and currently has an order bank of 11,000 that are due to be delivered to customers this year. These amazing figures mean that Skoda UK is on track to have the best ever sales result.
Reports indicate that British car sales for March fell 30.5% compared with last year sparking fresh calls on the UK government to step in and ease the slump. Traditionally, March is the biggest sales month for the automotive industry because of the registration plate change, but this wasn’t realised this year.
According to many commentators, the global car market could take nearly five years to return to pre-recession levels. Various programmes of revitalisation have been called for including a scrappage programme similar to that of several Euro Zone countries. Indeed, so successful is the German scheme that it’s been extended until the end of the year.
The Wheel - such an old design???
Whilst no one anticipated the global economic crisis and the devastating impact this would have, I find myself asking; Why are we so surprised by the woes of the car makers of the world?
General Motors is on the brink of collapse. They’ve let Saab file for bankruptcy protection and Opel are looking for new owners / investors. But why are we surprised? Saab hasn’t returned a profit in over a decade of GM ownership! GM’s American factories are weighed down by the political burden of the unions and thus their operating costs are high. Moreover, these same factories work to archaic practices or, at best, are half way to imitating their Japanese counterparts.
He is............The Stig
I’m not going to tell you who it is. The enigma of The Stig is too important to ruin. If you do want to know who the tamed driver is click here. If not join me as I ask why anyone would want to know so badly.
TopGear has lost its appeal in recent series. Clarkson and co appear to be running out of ideas and, as funny as it may have been, a V6 attached to a food blender just wasn’t what the licence fee should be paying for.
Market Declines For 5th Consecutive Month
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) published a gloomy report today calling for action from the Labour government. Only 5 manufacturers can boast higher registrations this September when compared to the same period last year - Audi (+1.38%), Hummer (+25%), Jaguar (+3.56%), MG (+800%) & Smart (+9.26%). The entire range of manufacturers in fact saw a fall in registrations of 21.2% - that’s a massive 88,995 units for September alone!
It's Time to Fill Up!
Most of the major fuel stations in Britain cut prices today in response to the fall in oil prices. Van drivers can now expect to pay an average of 107.7p per litre of unleaded and 119.2p for diesel. However, those of you with a good memory, or those who read the Times today, will note that this time last year, we only paid 95.22p per litre of petrol!
The Highways Agency has announced plans to cut congestion around Birmingham. Work started last week on the £150m scheme which plans to open up stretches of the hard shoulder along the M6 during periods of heavy traffic. Other traffic management techniques will also be employed including variable speed limits.
The plans will then be rolled out across the M42 and M40 in a bid to get Birmingham’s motorways moving smoothly and cut the time millions of us spend in our van or car.
Vansdirect published an article last week about the benefits of changing your driving habits (click here for article). Revving less, driving slower and keeping your tyres inflated were just some of the ways of cutting your fuel bills. The DTI reckon we could all save a month’s worth of fuel a year if we followed such advice!
All he was missing was his 'L' Plates!
A recent survey carried out by Lex has identified the most boring road in Britain. The survey, which captured data from company car drivers, named the M1″the most boring road in Britain” with a 1/3 of the votes! Boredom apparently the cause of heavy traffic, the length of road and the frequency we use the road.
Boring?
The results also suggest avoiding the M4, M5, M6, M40, A1, A38 and A14, for a more interesting journey. Apparently 42% of the company car drivers polled said that they “lose their concentration when driving on boring roads” and admit driving faster. Perhaps this is further evidence that the van driver is safer - as brought to you by Vansdirect last week (to see article click here).
Vansdirect are the UK's leading supplier of new vans and commercial vehicles. With a choice of over fifteen manufacturers you are sure to be able to find the perfect van, pick-up or car to suit you. Vansdirect have over 2000 vans in stock and with every new van Vansdirect offer free delivery across mainland Britain. Vansdirect can also supply a range of accessories for your van and can also offer you fantastic deals on van insurance. In addition, we are able to take your current van in part exchange for your new van!
