Hundreds of people are to lose their jobs at the Mini car factory in Oxford. BMW, which owns the plant, said 400 out of the 950 agency personnel onsite would be affected. Production at the factory in Cowley was halted in March because of the coronavirus pandemic, with work resuming in May. However, a “substantial”… Continue reading Hundreds of job losses at Mini car plant
Author: BBC News
Hands-free driving could be made legal on UK roads
Hands-free driving could be legal on UK roads by spring next year, the government has said, as it launched a consultation on the technology. The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued a call for evidence into automated lane keeping systems (ALKS). Such technology controls a car’s movements and can keep it in lane for extended… Continue reading Hands-free driving could be made legal on UK roads
Ads for large polluting cars ‘should be banned’
A new campaign called “Badvertising” is demanding an immediate end to adverts for large polluting cars. It says the government should clamp down on sports utility vehicle (SUV) car adverts in the way it curbed smoking ads. A car industry spokesperson said modern SUVs are the cleanest in history, and said many can run on… Continue reading Ads for large polluting cars ‘should be banned’
Ex-Google robocar engineer sentenced for theft
An ex-engineer for Google’s self-driving car unit has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for trade secret theft shortly before he joined Uber. US District Judge William Alsup in San Francisco said Anthony Levandowski had carried out the “biggest trade secret crime I have ever seen”. Levandowski loaded more than 14,000 Google files onto… Continue reading Ex-Google robocar engineer sentenced for theft
Audi drops ‘insensitive’ girl with banana ad
German carmaker Audi has apologised for an ad showing a little girl eating a banana in front of a high-performance car, which drew a torrent of criticism on Twitter. “We hear you and let’s get this straight: We care for children,” Audi tweeted in its apology. “We sincerely apologize for this insensitive image and ensure… Continue reading Audi drops ‘insensitive’ girl with banana ad
UK car production slumps to lowest level since 1954
The number of cars built in the UK over the past six months has slumped to the lowest since 1954, according to the industry’s trade body. A total of 381,357 cars were made the six months to June, down 42% on the period last year, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The… Continue reading UK car production slumps to lowest level since 1954
Car dealer Pendragon to close 15 branches and cut 1,800 jobs
Car dealer Pendragon has said it will cut 1,800 jobs and shut 15 of its dealerships. The firm, based in Annesley, Nottinghamshire, runs the Evans Halshaw and Stratstone brands. It said a review had begun before coronavirus but the pandemic had made the trading situation more difficult. About 400 of the jobs will be from… Continue reading Car dealer Pendragon to close 15 branches and cut 1,800 jobs
Coronavirus: Nissan shares fall 10% after record loss warning
Nissan’s shares have plunged by 10% in Tokyo trading after warning that it would see a record annual loss. Japan’s second largest carmaker said it expects a $4.5bn (£3.5bn) operating loss this year as the coronavirus hinders its turnaround efforts. The worse-than-expected forecast came as the company predicted its sales will be the lowest in… Continue reading Coronavirus: Nissan shares fall 10% after record loss warning
’Outrageous’ car loan commission banned
Car loans that hand salespeople more commission if they charge higher interest rates are to be banned from next year. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) reckons the ban will save customers £165m a year in total, or around £100-£200 on a loan. The ban is long overdue, said debt experts, with Citizens Advice Scotland dubbing… Continue reading ’Outrageous’ car loan commission banned
Fiat offices raided over diesel emissions fraud claims
Authorities in Germany, Italy and Switzerland have raided the offices of car giant Fiat-Chrysler and truck maker CNH Industrial over claims some engines produced illegal levels of emissions. The action concerns alleged use of so-called “defeat devices” to mask vehicles’ diesel pollution output. Engines used by Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Jeep, as well as CNH’s… Continue reading Fiat offices raided over diesel emissions fraud claims