Author: Aimee Turner

Jameel Motors has appointed Inchcape executive Tom Carney as its first managing director within the UK. Carney was most recently industrial and retail operations director at Inchcape and takes up his latest role with immediate effect. Jameel Motors Farizon Auto was set as much as import and distribute the Farizon SV within the UK. This is an element of Jameel Motors which has international operations in Turkey, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Japan, China and Monaco, where brands it represents include Toyota, Lexus, BYD and MG Motor. Ambitious Chinese electric van brand Farizon is currently trying to appoint a network of franchised…

Vauxhall is enhancing its electric vehicle (EV) offering with the launch of the improved Electric All In package, replacing the previous Plug & Go offer. The revamped deal goals to supply EV customers with added value with prolonged roadside assistance and extra charging advantages. Key updates to the Electric All In offer include a significant upgrade in roadside support, with customers now receiving 8 years of comprehensive coverage, up from the previous 3 years which incorporates emergency charging assistance, allowing drivers to call for help to either recharge their vehicle on the roadside or be transported to the closest charging…

Stellantis, Toyota, Ford, Mazda, and Subaru plan to pool carbon emissions with US EV manufacturer Tesla in an effort to fulfill stringent European carbon reduction targets, in accordance with official EU documentation. Others, including Volvo, Polestar, and Smart, are set to pool emissions with Mercedes-Benz. Missing the targets by even one percentage point could incur fines of €300 million ($312 million) under the EU’s 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Because of this pooling arrangements have now turn out to be a high-priority, with industry expert Matthias Schmidt noting that “securing pools has moved from a non-descript back office…

Stricter European standards are expected to reshape demand for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), forcing fleet buyers and company automotive users to reassess their cost-effectiveness. Under the brand new Euro 6e-bis emissions rules, PHEVs will undergo stricter emissions testing in 2025 to offer more accurate real-world data, potentially reducing their appeal as company cars because of increased taxation. Currently, PHEVs emitting lower than 50g/km of CO2 are categorised into bands based on their electric-only range, attracting a benefit-in-kind (BiK) tax rate of 5%, 8%, or 12%. Nevertheless, under the revised testing standards, PHEVs that exceed the 50g/km threshold will face a…

Kia’s UK chief has welcomed the review of ZEV mandate regulations that may guide the industry until 2035 but cautions that the UK government has no intention of walking away from its proposed trajectory.Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander launched the consultation in late December, asking for industry views on the Government’s restoration of the 2030 petrol and diesel recent automobile ban. Elements of the consultation include gathering views on which full hybrid and plug-in hybrids may very well be sold still alongside zero emission vehicles, and what approach must be taken for vans and low volume OEMs.Chatting with AM, Kia UK…

KGM Motors has added family-run Ryders of Warrington to its dealer network which has rebranded as Ryders KGM. The brand new franchise point continues KGM’s strategic growth plan to ascertain a nationwide dealer network which stood at 80 locations at the top of 2024. Scott Ryder, dealer principal at Ryders KGM, said: “For over three a long time, our hands-on approach together with the strong relationships we’ve nurtured with our customers have set us apart. We look ahead to bringing this tradition to the KGM family and offering much more to our loyal customers while welcoming latest ones. It’s an exciting…

The redesigned Škoda Octavia Estate offers thoughtful engineering and design, proving that family cars may be as stylish as they’re practical. Whether tackling every day commutes or long road trips, the Octavia Estate delivers a refined driving experience with all of the smart features modern drivers demand. Its spacious interior outclasses rivals just like the Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf, while the premium cabin design and practical boot space make it a standout selection for families. Skoda continues to impress with its 2024 Octavia Estate Special Edition 1.5 TSI e-TEC, with the top-tier Sportline variant of the recently redesigned range priced…

Tech firm MAD Devs has launched a brand new digital aftersales department as a part of its cloud-based iStoreDOCS document management system to streamline service and repair processes for dealerships. The brand new module offers dealerships comprehensive control over service-related documents and processes. By centralising all documentation, the platform allows service teams to securely access records anytime. Dan Rea, sales director at MAD Devs, highlighted the potential of the service module: “The iStoreDOCS service module centralises all documentation for vehicle service and repairs, allowing teams to access documents anytime, anywhere securely. “With iStoreDOCS’ customer portal, dealerships can inform clients of…

Japan’s manufacturing heavyweights Honda and Nissan are set to start merger talks as they battle mounting competition from Chinese EV manufacturers, reports the Nikkei. As Japan’s second and third largest automobile makers after Toyota, each have seen market share erode, particularly in China, where EV sales hit 1.27 million units in November – nearly 70% of the worldwide total. In 2023, Honda and Nissan sold a combined 7.4 million vehicles worldwide but are grappling to maintain pace as those rivals surge ahead. The 2 corporations had already been strengthening ties: in March, they agreed to collaborate on EVs, and by…

AM100 dealership group Hendy Group will officially open its all-new, state-of-the-art automotive dealership on Kingstanding Way in Tunbridge Wells in January. The brand new dealership, positioned next to the Kingstanding Retail Park off the A21, will sell, as an authorised dealer, recent and used Ford, Mazda and Kia cars and Ford business vehicles, in addition to being an authorised repair centre, providing customers with comprehensive service, maintenance and repair support. Hendy Group has invested greater than £6 million within the disused brownfield location, which was formerly occupied by John Lewis and has been vacant since April 2021. The Kingstanding Way…