The senior vice president of Honda Europe has warned that a no-deal Brexit would cost his company tens of millions of pounds. Ian Howells told the BBC that quitting the bloc without an agreement would affect the carmaker’s competitiveness in Europe. He said the Japanese firm was preparing for a no-deal outcome but had not… Continue reading Honda: No-deal Brexit ‘would cost millions’
Author: BBC News
Jaguar workers put on three-day week
About 1,000 workers at Jaguar’s Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham will move from a five-day to a three-day week from October until Christmas. Jaguar Land Rover said it was making “temporary adjustments to our production schedules” at the factory. It affects about half the plant’s 2,000 workers, who will remain on full pay. Jack Dromey,… Continue reading Jaguar workers put on three-day week
Mercedes takes on Tesla with electric SUV
German carmaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled its first fully-electric SUV, in a bid to take on US rival Tesla. The subsidiary of Daimler says the EQC, which has two electric motors, will have a range of more than 450km. It will start rolling off production lines at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Bremen in 2019. The firm… Continue reading Mercedes takes on Tesla with electric SUV
Dyson gears up for electric car testing
Dyson has unveiled plans for a 10-mile test track in Wiltshire where its new electric cars will be put through their paces. The track and other facilities are part of a plan to start selling a “radical” electric car from 2021. The company best known for its vacuums and domestic appliances bought the disused airfield… Continue reading Dyson gears up for electric car testing
Uber ‘to focus on bikes over cars’
Uber says it plans to focus more on its electric scooter and bike business, and less on cars, despite the fact it could hurt profits. Boss Dara Khosrowshahi said that individual modes of transport were better suited to inner city travel. He also forecast users would make more frequent shorter journeys in future. “During rush… Continue reading Uber ‘to focus on bikes over cars’
Uber narrows losses but growth slows
Uber narrowed its losses in the second quarter but remains a long way from turning a profit, according to company results published on Wednesday. The ride-hailing firm reported an $891m (£702m) net loss for the three months to 30 June, compared with a $1.1bn loss a year ago. Revenue growth slowed and the firm continues… Continue reading Uber narrows losses but growth slows
Tesla: ‘No formal proposal’ to go private
Tesla has not received a formal proposal from its founder Elon Musk to take the company private, its board of directors has said. The electric carmaker said it had created a special committee of three directors to evaluate any such proposal. Mr Musk announced on Twitter on 7 August that he was considering taking Tesla… Continue reading Tesla: ‘No formal proposal’ to go private
Elon Musk says Saudis back Tesla buyout
Elon Musk has outlined his plan to take Tesla private and said he discussed financing the deal with backing from Saudi Arabia. The founder of the electric car maker also indicated that he would need to raise about $23bn, not the $70bn that had been reported. In a blog post, Mr Musk said that he… Continue reading Elon Musk says Saudis back Tesla buyout
Ford brings ‘exosuits’ to 15 factories
Carmaker Ford has given mechanical “exosuits” to 75 workers at 15 of its factories globally, following successful trials of the technology. The devices, called EksoVests, wrap around employees’ upper bodies and provide assistance when lifting or reaching overhead. It is hoped the suits will lower injuries from repetitive motion. One industry watcher said it was… Continue reading Ford brings ‘exosuits’ to 15 factories
UK car production hit by ‘perfect storm’
The number of cars made in the UK fell last month after domestic demand plunged due to what the industry body called a “perfect storm of events”. Production fell 5.5% in June – driven by a 47.2% drop in production for the UK market, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The… Continue reading UK car production hit by ‘perfect storm’