New research by Venson Automotive Solutions reveals that over a quarter (27 per cent) of pedestrians have recently been taken by surprise by the almost silent approach of a plug-in car while they were crossing the road, and almost half (47 per cent) remain concerned about how quiet plug-ins are when in transit.
New research conducted by HiQ Tyres & Autocare on tyre changes in the UK has found that drivers in some areas of the UK are allowing their tyres to wear beyond the legal limit, with more than a third of tyres are worn past legal limit.
Almost all motorists (96 per cent) say solving the potholes crisis should be the number one priority for the new Labour government, according to new research. August’s Startline Used Car Tracker also shows that 92 per cent would like to see fairer fuel prices, 91 per cent lower insurance costs, 85 per cent better public transport and 81 per cent more road building to ease congestion.
The July report from Startline Used Car Tracker says that six out of 10 people (61 per cent) think that the UK should impose tariffs on Chinese electric car makers following similar moves by the US and EU. The report shows that 43 per cent believe we need to protect existing UK car manufacturers, 21 per cent that Chinese car makers are subsidised by their government and their pricing is unfair, and 12 per cent that we should impose a tariff that levels the market.
A new survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres suggests that driving enthusiasts now value ride comfort almost as much as performance when buying replacement tyres. When asked which characteristics they would prioritise when buying a replacement tyre, 34 per cent of respondents who claim to “love” or “like” driving cite ‘high-performance grip and traction’ as priority, while 23 per cent mention ‘ride refinement and low noise’.
Around two-thirds of non-EV drivers say they will still not be switching to an electric car any time soon. A recent survey conducted by Refused Car Finance shows a number of customers said they would not consider buying an electric car as their next vehicle. Consumers who did not already own an EV were asked whether they would consider an electric car in the future and the vast majority of these surveyed individuals said they would not. Electric cars are heavily promoted to be better for the environment, cheaper to run and improve fuel efficiency but the survey suggests these incentives are not enough for UK drivers to make the switch. The main concerns for this group of drivers were the cost of buying an EV, the mileage capacity of EVs and the availability of charging points in the UK.
More than 15 years have passed since I last had to deal with a punctured tyre, something I’m thankful of whenever looking at the spare wheel-shaped space under the floor of my car’s boot. I miss the security that a spare offers, and it appears I’m far from alone. In a survey of 11,959 AA members carried out on behalf of the motoring organisation, 82 per cent of respondents said they’d prefer to have a spare wheel in their boot rather than a tyre inflation kit.
From 3 to 10 January 2024, the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) surveyed its members to seek dealer opinions and their outlook for 2024. The survey received 50 responses from various franchised dealership groups across the UK, representing a total of 279 sites.
The DVSA is conducting research into how technicians use digital devices at MOT test stations. The survey asks questions about devices used during the MOT test, if you use mobile devices such as phones and tablets during the MOT test, as well as how you use technology generally and how confident you feel using it.
Driving home for Christmas is more than an indispensable addition to the festive season playlist, it is something many of us will soon do. That worries Bridgestone after finding out that more than half the motorists making the drive home fail to recognise an ‘extremely serious’ risk associated with illegal tyre usage. Research carried out on Bridgestone’s behalf suggests that 54% of motorists don’t regard driving on illegal tyres as potentially life threatening.
A landmark new study by TyreSafe, Imperial College, London, and National Highways has revealed that more than half of tyres replaced in the UK have illegal or borderline tread depth. The tyre safety charity said the eye-opening data underscores the urgent need for increased awareness and action. TyreSafe published the report on tyre maintenance and safety practices among motorists, which is available to download now, ahead of the country’s Road Safety Week.
The NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey was conducted in September 2023 and asked franchised dealers questions about the on-going business relationship with their respective manufacturers. The survey attracted 2,531 responses from 32 franchised networks, equating to a joint record response rate of 68 per cent. The survey showed a general downward trend across most questions with 47 out of 55 questions showing a decline versus the winter edition. The results were published on Monday 9 October 2023. “NFDA’s Dealer Attitude Survey is a comprehensive analysis that delves into the perspectives, insights, and sentiments of the working relationship between franchised dealerships and their respective manufacturers across the UK. This is a landmark edition as we have welcomed our new data-analyst partners, Metryx, to reshape and redesign how the sector can interact and dissect the data, offering a fresh new look for easy access and analysis,” said Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial retailers across the UK.
More than half of dealers (55 per cent) expect 2024’s used car market to be better than this year’s, new research shows. September’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows that 45 per cent also believe there will be better stock supply and 43 per cent that demand for electric vehicles (EVs) will increase. However, just 25 per cent expect there to be an improvement in consumer confidence.
A new survey from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) on auto-buying intentions finds that EU automakers’ battery-electric vehicle (BEV) growth goals look ambitious, with just 16 per cent of private buyers in Europe favouring them. 44 per cent opting for hybrids that play to BMW, Mercedes and Toyota’s strengths and disadvantage pure-play Tesla. Few charging points, range anxiety and high prices are the top concerns amongst respondents. The inaugural auto-buying questionnaire surveyed 1,500 adults planning to buy a car in the next 12 months in the five largest European markets of Germany, UK, France, Italy and Spain – together these making up about 75 per cent of the region’s sales.
According to a survey commissioned by Apollo Tyres, almost two-thirds of electric vehicle (EV) owners in the UK would prefer to purchase replacement tyres that have been developed specifically for use on this type of vehicle. A poll of 1,000 motorists showed that 64 per cent of EV drivers said they would favour EV-specific replacement tyres, compared to just one per cent who say they would be unlikely to choose these.
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Andrew Bogie/Tyres & Accessories