Motoring Newsbriefs

Nov 9 2009 Maurice Glover

Car sales upBRITAIN'S new-cars-for-old scheme helped drive a sales increase of more than 30 per cent last month.

The £2,000 showroom incentive on cars accounted for over 20 per cent of the 168,942 registrations logged by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

It was the fourth month of growth in sales and additional demand has been created by the extension of the scheme.

'October saw the year's biggest monthly increase and it is clear that customers want to avoid the VAT increase planned for January. Encouragingly, there has also been an increase in demand in the fleet and business sectors, which will be critical in sustaining recovery next year,' said chief executive Paul Everitt.

Civic for JapanA BRITISH-built version of one of Japan's most popular cars has just gone on sale - in Japan.

In a classic coals-to-Newcastle move, the Honda factory in Swindon is supplying hot-hatch fans in the company's home market with the three-door Civic Type R model.

Only 2,000 of the 201PS models finished in red, silver or white are being made available.

Top award for BMWECO QUALITIES described as 'exceptional' have allowed BMW'S 730Ld to drive away with the 2009 Chauffeur Car of the Year award.

Judges of the competition rated the cars CO2 emissions of just 180g/km and average fuel consumption of 40.9mpg to be sufficient to allow professional drivers and chauffeur companies to offer their clients travel that was luxurious as well as having reduced environmental impact.

Said judging chairman Mark Bursa: 'This new model triumphed because its exemplary combination of style, finish and operating economics changes the game in its sector. It is beautifully finished, with a superb, modern interior and BMW has brought its technological might to bear on the ride and handling.'

BMW Group corporate operations manager Stephen Chater added: 'The criteria for winning represents everything that BMW is about: building cars of the very highest premium quality that, thanks to EfficientDynamics, are often the most efficient in their sector in terms of emissions, fuel economy and cost.'

Service assistA YEAR'S free roadside assistance cover is being offered to owners of Ford cars aged three years or over as part of a new service package.

Under the deal, owners paying £99 for a service are also entitled to a visual health check covering more than 25 vital maintenance and safety assessments for their cars.

On offer at 400 of the firm's dealerships and Rapid Fit centres, the check covers more than 25 safety assessments and provides an easy-to-understand summary that gives a 'red', 'amber' or 'green' status for vital components and systems with red meaning that attention is required immediately and amber that it will be needed soon.

Among the items examined are brakes, clutch, seat belts, tyres, steering, suspension links, driveshafts, wheel bearings, transmission, wheel nuts and several major engine components, including the cooling system.

'A £99 service represents real value at a time when motoring and living costs are spiralling, and that's before you take into account the roadside assistance. It is possible to spend £99 arranging a similar level of cover and customers know the service is being carried out to exacting quality standards," said customer service division marketing manager Paul Myers.

The roadside assistance package extends throughout Britain and Europe for 12 months and is operated by Ford Assistance, which offers a 24/7 Europe-wide call-out service.

'Even if a break down happens on the continent, if the car can't be fixed at the roadside then it will be arranged for the car to be taken to the owner's home or to a Ford dealership. This is a superb offer for cost-conscious drivers looking for value for money.

'The package is intended for owners who might be considering an independent service agent in the belief that they will get better value. If any work is required to a car undergoing the Ford value service, it is carried out using original parts to ensure safety, reliability and longevity,' said Mr Myers.

Bangers for safetyBRITAIN'S cash for bangers scheme has played a major role in putting safer cars on the road as well as helping the beleaguered motor industry, according to the Institute of Advance Motorists.

'New cars have better safety technology, such as traction control and EuroNCAP four or five star crash ratings, as well as lower emissions levels and reduced fuel consumption. They are also cheaper to insure and run.

'The scheme has not only put new cars on the road, it has taken old bangers off it. It will undoubtedly save lives in the future and, with each road fatality costing the economy £1.8million, it could represent a significant potential saving for the taxpayer, more than covering the costs of the scheme itself," says policy and research director Neil Greig.