Cars

[SteveH]

Car production in the UK last year fell to its lowest level since 1956, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The SMMT said the figures were dismal, largely thanks to a global microchip shortage and disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
It said there was optimism for the future, with the announcement of new investment worth nearly £5bn.

But it warned high energy costs could be a challenge for carmakers this year.

Hopes that car production would recover in 2021 were firmly dashed. According to the SMMT's figures, just under 860,000 new cars left UK factories last year.

That was even fewer than in 2020, when the first wave of Covid and the associated lockdowns forced several factories to close.

Production last year was 6.7% lower than in 2020 - and a full 34% below its pre-pandemic level.

full article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60135835

[SteveH]

A55 tunnel named as UK's best for drivers to enjoy the sound of their car               
The tunnel beat some stiff competition to take the top prize

The car manufacturer revealed in their new ‘Sound Tunnel Index’ that the 658-metre long Penmaenbach Tunnel in North Wales topped their rankings, after being judged to provide the best acoustic environment to fully appreciate a car’s engine and exhaust sounds.

It went up against tunnels across the UK - including the nearby Queensway tunnel linking Merseyside and Cheshire.

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/a55-tunnel-named-uks-best-22910853?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

More than half of motorist are unaware that you could be fined for flashing your lights to let other drivers know you are making way.

2,000 drivers were tested on their knowledge of the rules of the road as part of new analysis from findandfundmycar.com.

Other habits that could land drivers in hot water include beeping their horn in anger or pulling over to use their phone with the engine still running.

And with snow predicted in February it’s also worth noting driving with snow on the roof of your vehicle has been warned against by experts.

Phil Morgan, Head of findandfundmycar.com, said: “While the chances of getting fined for doing any of the offenses are extremely low, they’re still not worth the risk.

"While some of the offences might not be commonly known, nobody wants to risk their safety or have to pay a hefty fine for something that they didn’t know was going to cost them, so it’s best to know these sooner rather than later.

“What may be considered a friendly warning to other drivers can actually have consequences. Speed cameras and police officers are there to keep everyone safe so it’s vital they are respected.”

The RAC added: “Headlight flashes should only be used to warn drivers of your presence on the road.

“Simply put, it’s open to misinterpretation (particularly as it means different things in other countries), so think carefully before you reach for the beams.”

[SteveH]

Private car parks will have to display prices more clearly, introduce a fairer system for appeals and give drivers a grace period for lateness as part of a government crackdown.

Most fines will be capped at £50 - down from £100 currently - although higher financial penalties will remain for more serious breaches.

Operators that do not follow the rules could be barred from collecting fines from motorists, the government said.

The AA called the plans "much needed".

Minister for Levelling Up Neil O'Brien said: "Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees designed to extort money from motorists.

"[Our] new Code Of Practice will set out a clear vision with the interests of safe motorists at its heart, while cracking down on the worst offenders."

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60282554

[Ian]

Yet another strategy to distract from the PM's lamentable performance.

[SteveH]

The cheapest petrol and diesel prices in North Wales and the most expensive as cost of fuel soars
It costs £80 on average for a tank of petrol with unleaded at an all-time high

The price of petrol jumped to an all-time high of 148.02p per litre at the weekend, days after diesel reached a record 151.57p, according to the AA.

The latest rises come as wholesale oil prices climb and households face soaring living costs.

Conwy
Unleaded:
Cheapest: 145.7p - Asda, Kinmel Bay, LL18 5EQ
Most expensive: 149.9p - Shell, Betws-y-Coed, LL24 0AR

Diesel:
Cheapest: 147.7p - Asda, Kinmel Bay, LL18 5EQ
Most expensive: 152.9p - Shell, Betws-y-Coed, LL24 0AR

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/cheapest-petrol-diesel-prices-north-23094685?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[DVT]

Has anyone kept a close check on their mpg - and I don't mean taking the readings off the car dashboard as that tends to read higher!

My car is now three years old.  I was told, when I bought it, that I should put in the expensive Shell V-Power fuel about every tenth fill, which I did.

When the E10 fuel came in a while ago my mpg dropped from 33 to 31.  I am now filling up with the V-Power all the time - and the mpg has gone from 31 to 34.

So, although the fuel costs 10% more I am also getting close to 10% better mpg, and a healthier engine as there was a definite slight loss of oomph with the E10 stuff.

[SteveH]

Worth a read.............


UK drivers have been warned they face unexpected bills on their car insurance if they do not check the small print for “loopholes”.

Consumer website Which? analysed 49 policies from insurers, said it had found some gaps in cover for personal belongings and “surprising” exclusions for courtesy cars.

Nearly all policies it looked at contain some personal belongings cover – which helps people repair or replace items damaged in or stolen from a car.

However, Which? found not all belongings are included, with a handful protecting cash, documents and credit cards. Four in 10 (40%) policies with personal possessions cover exclude mobile phones.

Which? also found that only about a quarter (24%) of policies will pay for someone to recover illegal clamping or towing fees, while just three in 10 (31%) will help deal with legal costs related to a car’s licence plate being cloned.

It also found the “rarest” feature it looked at is guaranteed cover for driving other cars. In more than a third (37%) of policies, it applies only in emergencies, according to its research.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19944992.uk-drivers-issued-car-insurance-loophole-warning/

[SteveH]

DVLA urges drivers to pay car tax before new system comes into force
The new tax rates come into force from April

cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/dvla-urges-drivers-pay-car-23191207

[SteveH]

Oil prices have gone above $100 for the first time since 2014 after Russian president Vladimir Putin announced an invasion of Ukraine.

Brent crude oil price
Brent crude reached highs of $102.48 on Thursday, rising by more than five per cent, reports the Independant.

How much oil comes from Russia?
Russia is the world’s second-largest oil producer and is a major supplier to Europe and the largest supplier of natural gas.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19948828.brent-crude-oil-prices-soar-past-100-russia-invades-ukraine---affects-uk/

[SteveH]

A new law is set to take effect across the country later this month which could see drivers hit with a hefty fine or points on their licence.

The current UK law states it is illegal to make a call or text using a hand-help phone or device while driving.

However, in the coming weeks the regulations will go further to prevent drivers from even touching their phone for a whole raft of reasons while on the road.

This includes taking photos or videos, scrolling through playlists or other items stored on their mobile devices.

Anyone caught using their phone in a hand-held fashion while behind the wheel will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six penalty points on their licence.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-mobile-phone-law-could-23246493?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

How much your car tax is set to cost as VED rates increase next month

The amount of tax you’ll pay typically depends on how old your car is and how environmentally friendly it is.

If your car emits no CO2, your car tax will remain at £0.

If your car's CO2 emissions are between 1 and 50g per km, your standard rate of car tax will increase from £155 to £165, but your first-year rate will still be £10.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-much-your-car-tax-23263016

[SteveH]

Petrol prices are likely to fall back from record levels due to the costs of wholesale fuel and global oil easing, UK motoring groups have said.

The average price for a litre of petrol hit £1.63 on Sunday after rising above £1.60 for the first time last week.

Diesel remained above £1.73 a litre, but the AA said "wild" pump prices should stabilise, unless global oil prices take off again.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine sparked oil costs to surge worldwide.

The AA said filling up a typical 55-litre car tank now costs £89.90p on average, up from £68.57 a year ago.

Oil prices soared after Russia invaded Ukraine, with the price of Brent crude oil - the global benchmark for prices - hitting a near 14-year high at one point.

However, in the past few days, the price of oil has dropped as fears that the European Union would follow the US and Canada in banning Russian oil have eased.

Brent crude was down 3% at $109 per barrel early on Monday.

cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60733390

[DVT]

I guess the rate of price reduction will be a lot slower than the rate of price increase !

[Hugo]

It's strange how the price of petrol increases immediately even though the garages have not had a new delivery of fuel.   Presumably the petrol that is already in the garages was  bought at the old price yet motorists have to pay for the fuel at the new price,