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Whilst this has little to do with vehicle finance I read with interest the way that Google withdrew from China as a result of the Chinese government hacking into Chinese user’s emails and other online information in order to control the way that its citizens think and act. I then read that Google have found a new way to monetize emails. Most of us are aware of adwords, these are the sponsored ads that appear when Read more »

When a driver takes out a fully comprehensive insurance policy he is probably aware that when the policy states that he is insured to drive any vehicle provided he has the owner’s permission he is usually only covered for the basic requirements under the Road Traffic Act 1988, ie. cover against third party only. However, few are aware that this cover does not extend to named drivers, they are only insured to drive the car on which they have named driver cover. Check your policy carefully before driving any vehicle. By Graham Hill

Some people believe that when a ticket is issued with incorrect information, such as your name spelt incorrectly or the car registration transposed that you can avoid prosecution. I seem to recall when I was first driving that this was the case but these days it is more difficult to get away with a prosecution as a result of what a court would consider to be a clerical error. If you genuinely believe that you or your Read more »

The Government is planning to apply a £15 surcharge to fixed penalties. Known as a victim’s surcharge it is currently applied to more serious offences such as criminal damage or domestic violence and can only be handed out by the courts. It was introduced in 2007 as a way to contribute towards the victim support services. The recently announced plans will attach the surcharge to fixed penalties where the Read more »

As we know credit has been harder to arrange of late with some vehicle finance funders down to around a 20% acceptance rate. But if you foolishly believed that the situation would ease this year, considering the fact that bankers are again paying themselves some massive bonuses, you would be wrong! You see years ago credit card companies were credit card companies and leasing companies were either part Read more »

A few years ago I was a consultant to Yes Car Credit, a company that I hugely respected because, in many ways, they got it right! However, becoming the UK’s largest seller of used cars in about 4 years carried with it a number of problems that the UK press, as always, was eager to pounce upon. The company was selling nearly 50,000 cars per annum at the point of its demise and I would admit that the combination of Read more »

 I reported last week about the fire sale of Saab to the Chinese and my hope that the manufacturer will still continue. Well I’m pleased to advise that it looks as though the new 9-3 and 9-5 will continue as planned, great news in my opinion albeit that the future of the company is still rather sketchy. However, having just read this news I heard that Ford owned Volvo has just been bought by Chinese company Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, with the sale expected to complete by mid year. The Swedes appear to be as indifferent about their car making heritage as we were in this country a few years ago when our home grown car industry collapsed. All such a shame. By Graham Hill

 RMI Petrol Retailers Association is predicting a rise in fuel of 10 pence per litre in 2010 as a result of the VAT increase and other tax increases that are already planned or likely to be introduced when a new Government is elected. Clearly using the green argument to beat drivers over the head and justify exceptional taxation increases will help them to recover the huge deficit brought about by investment Read more »

 Some more great news in my opinion, Bosch have announced that the number of new cars fitted with my favourite safety device, ESP, increased in 2009 by 3% to 59%. This is still not good enough, it should be 100%, which it will be over the next few years but as ESP is a proven lifesaver the sooner all cars are fitted with it the better. By Graham Hill

 The Association of British Insurers has warned motorists about car thefts that may not be covered by their insurance. As the cold weather continues drivers are leaving cars unattended with the engine running to warm up as they finish getting ready for work. Insurance companies are saying this is inviting theft and may not cover the loss as insufficient care is being taken by drivers to protect the car and avoid theft. By Graham Hill