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As cars become more efficient and manufacturers strive to avoid huge fines that will be imposed upon them by the EU if they don’t hit the CO2 reduction targets set, VW announces its first car to achieve zero VED status (that’s zero car tax to you and me). The new model which is based on the Golf 1.6TDi S 105bhp has the Blue Motion features and includes stop/start system, regenerative braking, longer gear ratios, low Read more �

More and more manufacturers are embracing the new stop-start technology in an effort to reduce car emissions to meet the targets set by the EU if they are to avoid some hefty fines. “But how does stop-start work Graham?” I hear you all shouting at your computer screen. In fact I can’t hear you shouting, I’m imagining it. In fact you may not even give a monkey’s banana but you’re going to be told anyway! Let’s take Read more �

Over the last few months we have seen a great deal of activity in dealerships offering a greater variety of finance products to customers. Manufacturer provided finance facilities are offered through ‘captives’ that are either funded by the manufacturer or through a major finance provider. The funder provides the facilities on documents printed in the name of the manufacturer. As a result of increased competitiveness Read more �

When I first started driving the most technical pieces of equipment in my car were the window winders and the optional heater, that was either on or off. Radios were not standard equipment and cassette players were somewhat futuristic. So other than your passengers, there were very few distractions inside the cockpit of your car, added to which, if you were anywhere north of Watford you could drive for 3 days and still not come into contact with another driver. These days things are different, there are 30 million cars registered and many of those Read more �

What is BlueMotion, is it a hybrid? We are seeing the emergence of the colour blue as a replacement for the far less attractive green as an expression of environmental friendliness! Why? I don’t know but in terms of German cars – no it doesn’t define a new type of hybrid engine. Instead VW’s BlueMotion and Mercedes Blue Efficiency are simply terms they have started to use to describe the ultra efficient nature of their cars. By incorporating stop/start technology or systems that heavily Read more �

Fuel prices seem to have settled for a while but concerns have been raised about the differential between petrol and diesel. In November 2007 the difference was 2.6 pence per litre. When the cost of a barrel of oil increased to $147 in July 2008 the price differential increased to 14 pence per litre. Whilst oil prices have dropped back to less than $50 per barrel the differential between the two fuels is still at 3 times the Read more �

Whilst used car prices are having a negative effect on lease rates as they counter the bonuses given away by manufacturers there has been a mild glimmer of hope during January. British Car Auctions have reported on average a 6% increase in used car prices following several months of continued falls. At the same time they reported that the average price was £1,000 less this January than it was last January so the Read more �

Now for those few readers that have not listened to a word I’ve said about the benefits of leasing and still insist on owning your cars you may be interested in some more gems passed on by the valuation expert at HPI, Martin Keighley. He has looked at the cars that provide good value for money as well as hold their price well in the used car market and come up with a top ten list of cars for you to purchase that will Read more �

The ‘recession/credit crunch’ is already cutting fairly deeply and now is a time to think very carefully about the financing of your next car. Not only should you take care over the type of finance that you use but you should also take care over the supplier. In the last week I have heard of three dealer groups that have gone, locally we lost Sidlow, mainly VW, Audi, Seat and Alpha as well as Barkers Citroen and another VW Audi dealer, Dane. This has been bad news for those who paid deposits and initial rentals to these companies, Read more �

Deliveries are becoming a nightmare, I have today been given a further delay on a VW Golf with the new 1.4 engine that was ordered on the 1st February 2008 with an estimated lead time of 12 weeks. Delivery is currently expected to be end of August to the dealer. Whilst this situation is exceptional, explained by VW as being the result of amazing International demand for the smaller engine that can be tuned to produce 170 BHP, long lead times are not uncommon. However, most funders will Read more �