Tesla is set to launch its first autonomous electric lorry next month as the company attempts to break into the commercial vehicle market.
The Tesla Semi truck is scheduled to be unveiled on October 26 and is expected to have a working range of 200 to 300 miles, making it more suitable for inner-city transport than long-distance motorway haulage.
Nexen Tire is supplying itsN’blue HD Plus tyre to Volkswagen, Seat and Skoda. The company’s N’blue HD Plus in size 215/45R17 91W will be fitted to the upgraded Volkswagen Polo. The same tyre in sizes 205/60R16 92V and 215/60R16 95V was selected for the Volkswagen T-Roc, a new compact SUV manufactured in Portugal.
“The overall relationship between franchised car dealers and manufacturers recorded an average score of 5.6* in the Summer 2017 Dealer Attitude Survey, which is -0.5 points down from the last survey and -0.6 lower than the same time last year”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle dealers in the UK, commenting on the NFDA Summer 2017 Dealer Attitude Survey, published today (4 September 2017).
Hyundai, Volkswagen UK and Toyota have all now announced scrappage schemes with discounts off various models, following on from Ford’s recent announcement and that of Vauxhall earlier in the year.
Hyundai’s scheme offers between £1,500 and £5,000 on trade-ins across its model range and will run from now until the end of the year. It will apply to all petrol and diesel cars with Euro 1-4 engines registered before 31 December 2009.
“It is positive to see that the new light commercial market grew moderately in August by 1.5 per cent in what is a low volume month in terms of registrations as customers wait for the new registration plate in September”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK, commenting on the latest SMMT’s light commercial vehicle registration figures.
Hankook reports that it has updated its sound absorber technology with a new foam and adhesion process that further reduce tyre weight. The next foam is said to reduce internal noise levels by as much as 5 to 7 dB(A).
The long-awaited launch of the new TVR sports car at the 2017 Goodwood Revival is being supported by leading aftermarket suppliers, Euro Car Parts and LKQ Coatings. The two brands, which together can supply any paint, panel or part to a wide range of vehicles, will be pride of place on the bonnet of the eagerly anticipated TVR when it is unveiled inside the Earls Court Motor Show building.
Apollo Vredestein’s work to shift its Dutch brand’s replacement market focus to become an original equipment supplier has resulted in fitments on three major models. Vredestein, has been selected as a fitment on the Volkswagen Polo, Seat Ibiza and Ford EcoSport.
Hankook’s ultra-high performance flagship tyre, the Ventus S1 evo², will be fitted to the latest Audi RS5 Coupé as original equipment in 19 and 20-inch sizes. The tyre manufacturer has previously supplied the tyre to Audi’s TT RS in 2016. The RS 5 Coupé will use the newly developed V6 biturbo engine, which combines performance with greater efficiency. This suitability for everyday use is, Hankook states, reflected in the tyres, which are designed to provide sporty handling alongside driving comfort, and improved grip alongside durability.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd. has begun supplying its Geolandar G055 as original equipment for the all-new Jeep Compass, which went on sale in North America in June 2017. The new Compass will come factory-equipped with 225/55R18 98H size tyres. In addition, Yokohama’s Geolandar SUV is original equipment on the Jeep Compass launched in China in late 2016.
Pirelli is working with Fisker Inc. to create low rolling resistance tyres for the new Fisker EMotion luxury electric vehicle, set to launch in late 2019.
Pirelli will develop summer P Zero tyres in 285/35R24 (F) and 305/35R24 (R). The focus of this development will be on low rolling resistance, “spirited handling” and extra comfort due to tall sidewalls.
Aston Martin Lagonda has agreed a trade and investment deal between the United Kingdom and Japan worth up to £500 million over the next five years of its second century business plan. The investment program was announced by Dr Andy Palmer, Aston Martin president and chief executive officer, during his visit to Japan as part of the UK delegation accompanying British Prime Minister Theresa May.
With over 2 billion passenger journeys a year, bus usage is around double that of the London Underground. But bus passenger numbers are in decline. Between 2014/15 and 2016/17, the number of passenger journeys made on buses fell by six per cent. In its second piece of important work on the capital’s buses, the London Assembly Transport Committee report ‘London’s bus network’ (published 17 August 2017) tackles the this subject and recommends:
The latest SMMT registrations data shows that the new HGV (heavy goods vehicle) market in the UK saw strong growth in the second quarter of 2017, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 11,771 new trucks were registered – a 6.3 per cent rise on the same period last year as manufacturers delivered several large orders to fleets in quarter two.
Exports of British-built vans, trucks and buses rose 11.6 per cent in the first six months of 2017, with almost all headed to the EU, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Nearly two-thirds (63.5 per cent) of commercial vehicles (CVs) built in Britain were exported, with 27,818 of the 43,782 total produced headed to more than 45 countries around the world.
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