Driverless taxis ‘available to Phoenix public’

According to Ars Technica, cars will initially only cover a 50 sq mile (130 sq km) area in the Phoenix suburbs of Chandler, Tempe and Mesa. The company has yet to provide details on exactly how many people would be given access to the app that will allow them to hail the driverless taxis. Go… Continue reading Driverless taxis ‘available to Phoenix public’

Worst September for UK car sales this century

New UK car registrations fell 4.4% in September from a year earlier, according to the motor industry. That made it the worst September this century in what is normally the industry’s second most important month. There were just 328,041 new registrations in the month, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The car… Continue reading Worst September for UK car sales this century

Car trim company warns 130 jobs at risk

About 130 workers at a car trim plant in Monmouthshire could lose their jobs. Northern Automotive Systems in Gilwern is consulting staff on cutting over a third of the 320-strong workforce. Parent company NBHX said the site had made “considerable financial losses” in recent years, with market shifts due to Brexit also a factor in… Continue reading Car trim company warns 130 jobs at risk

Brexit: Blow to UK car industry in search for EU deal

Britain’s car industry risks losing out even if there is a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, according to documents seen by the BBC. Car parts from Japan and Turkey used in the UK will not be treated as British, so some exports may see higher tariffs. In a letter, Britain’s chief Brexit negotiator says… Continue reading Brexit: Blow to UK car industry in search for EU deal

‘Journey into the unknown’ as Bridgend Ford closes

Ford Bridgend is ending production after 40 years and 22 million engines in the south Wales town. Before the closure announcement, there were 1,644 staff employed at the site, most of whom have opted for retraining. More than 120 people will remain on site for a number of months to support the decommissioning. The plant’s… Continue reading ‘Journey into the unknown’ as Bridgend Ford closes

End of Ford and Bridgend marriage ‘hard to take’

The Ford plant in Bridgend will shut down for the last time later, bringing to a close four decades of production at the site. The closure, announced in June 2019, will have a major impact on the local community in Bridgend, with the loss of hundreds of skilled, well-paid jobs. When opened in May 1980,… Continue reading End of Ford and Bridgend marriage ‘hard to take’

Self-driving car operator charged over fatal crash

image copyrightReuters The back-up driver of an Uber self-driving car that killed a pedestrian has been charged with negligent homicide. Elaine Herzberg, aged 49, was hit by the car as she wheeled a bicycle across the road in Tempe, Arizona, in 2018. Investigators said the car’s safety driver, Rafael Vasquez, had been streaming an episode… Continue reading Self-driving car operator charged over fatal crash

Car makers warn of Brexit and Covid ‘double whammy’

UK and European car makers have warned a no-deal Brexit could put a £100bn dent in the region’s car industry in the next five years, adding to heavy losses already caused by Covid-19. A letter signed by 23 trade groups across Europe urges the government to make a deal rather than default to World Trade… Continue reading Car makers warn of Brexit and Covid ‘double whammy’

Rolls-Royce launches £250,000 car as demand rebounds

The boss of carmaker Rolls-Royce has said global demand for luxury vehicles is rebounding despite the pandemic. Boss Torsten Müller-Ötvös told the BBC that markets in Asia, Europe and the US were now “more or less back to normal”. Mr Müller-Ötvös was speaking at the launch of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost, the company’s latest model,… Continue reading Rolls-Royce launches £250,000 car as demand rebounds