Millennials more likely to repair their cars than any other generation

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March 20, 2023

Millennials – those born between 1981 and 1996 – have been accused of everything from wasting money on avocados to killing off department stores and banks.

However, new research suggests the millennial generation should be celebrated for its willingness to undertake basic car repairs.

More than a quarter of millennials in an eBay user survey said they are prepared to work on a car themselves. This was the highest of any generational group.

The generation game

By comparison, only 18 percent of baby boomers (born from 1946 to 1964) are happy to get their hands dirty.

Instead, respondents in this age group were more likely to spend money on having someone else do the work for them.

Proving that younger generations have a ‘can do’ attitude, the eBay survey also highlighted the willingness of younger, Gen Z respondents. Among this age group, which covers those currently aged between 17 and 24, some 23 percent are prepared to tackle minor car maintenance themselves.

The eBay research also highlights the sheer scale of the self-repair industry in the UK. To house all the car parts and accessories listed on eBay during 2022 would require a warehouse the size of 11 Wembley Stadium roofs.

Maximising screen time

Windscreen wipers were the most likely items to be fitted by respondents in the survey. More than half of those asked are prepared to tackle this task themselves.

This was followed by replacement wing mirrors, with one-fifth (20 percent) of motorists happy to install one on their own car.

Car seats, floor mats and replacement batteries were also big sellers on eBay during 2022. The website sold enough new car batteries to power the Eiffel Tower for more than 20 years.

Dr Tony Tong, head of automotive at eBay UK, said: “As the cost of living continues to rise, motorists are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their running costs across the board. This trend towards DIY repairs, spurred on by interest from younger generations, is something we expect to keep rising – converting more and more motorists into enthusiast home mechanics.”

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Kia is officially the best car brand, say UK dealers

By

John Redfern

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March 20, 2023

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Kia has been rated the top car brand in the UK, based on the experiences of franchised retailers.

The latest National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Dealer Attitude Survey saw Kia ranked top, improving upon its previous survey score.

Most significantly, Kia emerged as the leader when dealerships were asked ‘How would you rate your manufacturer overall?’.

This was one of five survey questions where the Korean brand received the highest marks.

View from the showroom floor

Held twice each year, the NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey asks franchised dealerships about the relationship they have with the companies whose cars they sell.

This includes a wide range of topics, from profitability and training, through to the quality of electric vehicles on offer.

Kia achieved an average score of 8.3 out of 10 in the survey, representing a 0.3-point improvement on the previous evaluation. The company also performed better in all but one of the survey’s 19 questions.

Paul Philpott, Kia UK president and CEO, commented: “We have worked very closely with our dealer partners for many years and always strive to achieve the best for both our customers and our dealers. Seeing our dealers’ views represented in the NFDA survey is such a valuable asset and one that helps us plan further improvements to our products and services. It is rewarding to see our efforts result in Kia being positioned as the number one brand in the UK.

“While 2022 was a challenging year, we and our dealer partners achieved our long-term goal of selling over 100,000 vehicles in the UK. These survey results prove that this record achievement was delivered with true partnership and to our mutual benefit.”

Electrification leaders

A total of 148 current Kia dealerships responded to the survey, representing 80 percent of all those selling the company’s cars.

Significantly, Kia claimed the top spot for satisfaction with electric vehicles, scoring 9.3 out of 10. New models like the EV9 and updated Niro will likely boost its success in this area.

Paul Philpott added: “Kia is not a company to rest on its laurels and we are excited to bring a host of innovations and new products to market, including the new seven-seat electric EV9 SUV that has just been unveiled.

“We are also proud to see an increasing number of Kia dealerships now benefiting from newly refurbished showrooms that represent our forward-thinking and innovative brand. In addition, we are looking forward to further developments that will be announced throughout 2023 and beyond.”

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Tesco EV charging network reaches 600 UK stores – and rapid chargers go live

By

John Redfern

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March 17, 2023

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Tesco, Pod Point and Volkwsagen have reached another major milestone in their electric car charging joint-venture.

Following the installation of new charging devices at the Kirkwall superstore in Orkney, EV chargers are now available at 600 Tesco supermarkets across the UK.

It makes for swift progress since the start of the partnership in 2019. Tesco now has 2,500 EV charging bays on offer, including 129 rapid chargers.

Rapid charging roll-out

Tesco customers have used a total of 43,218kWh of energy to date: enough electricity to power 4,000 homes for a whole day.

More six million charges have now taken place at Tesco stores, saving more than 24,000 tonnes of CO2.

The 600th store milestone also coincides with the roll-out of 75kW rapid chargers. This is the first time Pod Point has installed them at Tesco stores, complementing the existing 7kW, 22kW and 50kW units already in use.

Tesco stores in Cheshunt, Osterley, Shrewsbury, Ashby De La Zouch, York and Newark will be the first locations to gain the 75kWh devices.

Charging no longer free

When the Tesco project was first launched, the use of EV chargers was free to all customers. However, increasing demand – alongside higher energy prices – saw the introduction of tariffs late last year.

Customers making use of the new 75kWh chargers will need to pay 69p per kWh.

Jason Tarry, Tesco CEO for the UK and Ireland, said: “It is with great pride we announce that we have hit our target of providing EV charging at 600 stores across the UK. From Orkney all the way to Southampton, customers now have the option to make sustainable choices, and we’re giving them somewhere easy and convenient to charge while they shop with us.”

Sarah Cox, head of marketing at Volkswagen UK, added: “We’re really proud of this partnership with Tesco and Pod Point, which has always been about providing sustainable charging access and infrastructure to all BEV and PHEV vehicle owners in the UK. Hitting the 600-store milestone means that we are continuing to support as many people as possible to make the switch to electric mobility.”

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Aston Martin fans can spec their dream car in virtual F1 pit garage

By

John Redfern

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March 17, 2023

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Aston Martin has introduced its Formula 1 team’s pit garage as a background for its online configurator.

The new option follows the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 team’s successful podium finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Customers, fans and dealerships can now use the F1 pit garage as a backdrop when designing their dream Aston Martin. Their customised car can be viewed alongside the AMR23 Formula 1 racer.

An exclusive parking spot

The Aston Martin configurator allows users to visualise the DBS, DB11 and Vantage supercars, along with the DBX performance SUV.

The options include the mighty DBX707, which is currently serving as the official Formula 1 medical car.

Along with the modern F1 team garage, the configurator now includes the historic Brooklands race circuit as a background, too. This was added to celebrate the British brand’s 100th anniversary.

Once a user has created their ideal Aston Martin, a personalised brochure can be downloaded. Configurations can also be shared on social media.

Trophy on display

Also visible inside the virtual pit garage is the ornate third-place trophy awarded to Fernando Alonso at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Rendered in high-definition 3D, fans can zoom in for a closer look at the team’s first trophy of the season.

Renato Bisignani, head of global communications at Aston Martin, said: “With recent brand research revealing that almost 90 percent of our customers are passionate about Formula 1, we believe this high-performance-inspired environment will draw further synergies between track and road, allowing our customers to spec all of our models from within the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula 1 Team pit garage.

“Our configurator has always been designed to engage, excite and inspire, with more than half of our customers now using this digital tool during their purchase journey. We are therefore committed to further expanding its offering and developing unique features as part of our focus to deliver luxury digital experiences for our customers.”

The updated configurator is now live on the Aston Martin website.

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Volkswagen ID. 2all concept previews affordable electric car

By

John Redfern

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March 16, 2023

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Volkswagen has revealed an electric concept car to preview a new production model – due in 2025.

Bold claims are being made about the compact ID. 2all, which will slot into Volkswagen’s EV range below the existing ID. 3 hatchback.

Grabbing most attention is the promise of a starting price from under €25,000 (£22,000), along with a range of up to 450km (280 miles).

Power to the people

Beneath the concept car bodywork is Volkswagen’s first use of a front-wheel-drive layout for an electric ID. model.

Known as MEB Entry, the new platform mounts the electric motor at the front, where the engine would be in a conventional supermini. Short front and rear overhangs, plus a long wheelbase, result in a spacious interior for a car the same size as a VW Polo.

The ID. 2all concept has a 226hp electric motor, and is said to be capable of 0-62mph in less than seven seconds.

Rapid charging means the battery can be replenished from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes, although there is no word on the size of the concept car’s battery.

A tribute to Volkswagens of old

Along with previewing the use of front-wheel drive for an EV, the ID. 2all also reveals a new design language for Volkswagen cars. The concept was created by Andreas Mindt, who took over as head of Volkswagen Design last month.

Mindt was responsible for the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf, which may explain why the ID. 2all looks familiar. He says the new design is about “transferring the DNA of our icons into the future. The ID. 2all is therefore also an homage to the Beetle, Golf and Polo.”

The C-Pillar shape, for example, is inspired by that on the original Mk1 Volkswagen Golf.

The styling of the ID. 2all is shaped by the “three pillars of stability, likeability and excitement,” says Mindt. These ideas will underpin the aesthetic of future Volkswagen models, too.

An illuminating interior

Volkswagen appears to have heeded the numerous gripes about its current infotainment system, as the ID. 2all boasts an all-new 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen. This features an updated menu structure and, most importantly, has separate illuminated controls for the air conditioning.

The steering wheel controls have been simplified to just two thumbwheels, with not a haptic touch-sensitive button in sight…

Smartphone charging is a key part of the ID. 2all’s interior, with two wireless charging pads found on the centre console. Both these, and the chargers found in the seat backrests, use magnets to hold devices in place.

Boot space is an impressive 440 litres, with a storage box beneath the rear bench offering another 50 litres. Dropping the back seats results in a total of 1,339 litres of luggage capacity.

Ten new EVs by 2026

The production version of the ID. 2all should arrive in showrooms in 2025, and is a key part of Volkswagen’s plans to increase its electric offering.

The company will launch 10 new electric cars by 2026, as it looks to claim an 80 percent share of the EV market. Doing so would give VW the widest range of electric vehicles on the market.

Beneath the ID. 2all, Volkswagen also aims to create a smaller electric car with a start price of just €20,000 (£17,500).

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New Kia EV9 electric seven-seat SUV revealed

By

Richard Aucock

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March 14, 2023

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The hotly-anticipated Kia EV9 has been revealed – and bosses confirm the range-topping electric car will reach UK showrooms later this year.

The Kia EV9 is a large and luxurious SUV with three rows of seats: one of the few electric seven-seaters on sale.

Boasting a radical design that Kia calls ‘Opposites United’, the new EV9 has a bold, structural look and assertive geometry.

Kia design chief Karim Habib says the EV9 is intended to “redefine standards for design, connectivity, usability and environmental sustainability”.

An eye-catching flagship for the fast-growing South Korean company, the new EV9 will sit above the sleek Kia EV6 fastback.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely to cost from around £60,000 – making it a distinctive and fully electric alternative to the top-selling Tesla Model Y.

Kia EV9 faces the future

With no immediate EV rivals at launch, the bold and roomy Kia EV9 is sure to stand out among upmarket electric cars.

Helping its cause are simple, clear-cut lines and body surfaces, which Habib says are themed around a polygonal design language.

The ‘Digital Tiger Face’ is like something from sci-fi, with two clusters of small, cube-shaped LED lights vertically stacked alongside an LED light bar. The light pattern is unusual – and animated. Because it’s an EV, there’s no need for a grille, furthering the futuristic feel.

The electric sister car to the Kia Sorento, the EV9 also has flush door handles, slim rear lights and a clean, cohesive finish throughout.

This carries through to the cabin, which is open-plan and luxurious, with plentiful use of plush textiles and colourful ambient lighting: less car, more aircraft on wheels.

The Kia E-GMP architecture should serve up good amounts of interior space, thanks to a long wheelbase and flat floorplan. Kia promises lounge-style comfort in all three rows of seats.

The seven-seat model will be standard, with a six-seat option that features three rows of airline-style chairs.

Cleverly, the middle-row seats can rotate 180 degrees, so passengers can turn and face those in the third row.

Following this first look at the EV9, the new SUV will make its full global premiere in late March. We will then learn more about its electrical underpinnings – including the all-important range and performance figures.

“The Kia EV9 breaks new ground,” says Habib. It “offers customers an exceptionally high-quality proposition and a fresh EV perspective in the family EV sector”.

Come back to Motoring Research later this month to find out more about the bold new Kia EV9.

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F1 star Valtteri Bottas takes delivery of exotic Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm

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F1 star Valtteri Bottas takes delivery of exotic Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm

By

John Redfern

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March 14, 2023

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Valtteri Bottas is now the owner of a limited-edition Alfa Romeo Giulia GTAm. The Finnish Formula 1 driver collected his new car from the Stellantis & You showroom in Turin, Italy.

It means Bottas has joined an exclusive club, securing one of 500 examples of Alfa Romeo’s most powerful production car.

We suspect driving for the Alfa Romeo Formula 1 Team will have helped him to the front of the queue.

Developed by Kimi Raikkonen

The Giulia GTAm, and slightly less hardcore GTA version, were revealed by Alfa Romeo in 2020, as a homage to the classic 1965 Giulia GTA.

A track-focused model, the GTAm uses Lexan polycarbonate for its rear and side windows. Alfa Romeo also removed the rear seats, helping shave 100kg from the Giulia’s kerb weight.

Power comes from a 2.9-litre Ferrari-produced twin-turbo V6. With 540hp, the GTAm can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.6 seconds. That may feel a little bit slow for Valtteri compared to his company car, however…

Development of the Giulia GTAm was undertaken by ex-Formula 1 drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, during their time with Alfa Romeo.

‘Embodying Alfa Romeo DNA‘

Speaking about collecting his new car, Bottas said: “I’m clearly a lifelong car enthusiast. But most of all I love the Alfa Romeo brand. It is an honour for me to be an ambassador of the brand and now to become a customer, owner of one of the 500 Giulia GTAms.

“It’s a technically excellent vehicle, realised in collaboration with Sauber Engineering by leveraging the expertise and technical know-how that comes directly from Formula 1, but for us car and motorsport enthusiasts it represents so much more.

“It revives one of the legends of motorsport, the 1965 Giulia GTA, and perfectly embodies the brand’s DNA, passion for motorsport, driving pleasure and a unique and distinctive styling appeal.”

Giulia GTAm buyers are entitled to attend a special course designed by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy. As a 10-time Grand Prix winner, Bottas will likely decide to give that a miss.

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Not buying British: Kia is car brand of choice for green government fleet

By

John Redfern

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March 14, 2023

0

Government fleet managers have made Kia their top choice when it comes to procuring low-emissions vehicles.

Data obtained by The Times newspaper includes details of cars that make up the government’s central fleet. Interestingly, some 82 percent of the low-emissions vehicles are Kias.

In total, the government’s central fleet of 680 plug-in vehicles includes 449 examples of the plug-in hybrid Kia Niro, along with 110 of the Sportage PHEV.

Brits fewer than five percent

The Times points out that UK-produced cars account for fewer than five percent of the plug-in vehicles leased or purchased for the government fleet.

Just 25 Nissan Leafs (produced in Sunderland), and seven Land Rover Discovery Sports (made in Halewood), are among the 680 cars.

Although 36 examples of the Jaguar I-Pace have been procured for fleet use, these are built by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. The I-Pace is also the most expensive new car purchased for government use.

Government procurement rules require departments to consider ‘zero or ultra low emission at tailpipe’ vehicles as the default choice.

Plug-ins are prioritised

The Government Buying Standards also dictate that procurement managers must choose cars with a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating. There is no requirement to prioritise UK-made vehicles, however.

Reducing carbon emissions is central to government fleet objectives. The Greening Government Commitments include a target for 25 percent of the government car fleet to be ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) by 31 December 2022. This increases to 100 percent by 2027.

Data from September 2022 showed that 25.5 percent of central government cars were ULEVs, reaching the target three months ahead of schedule.

Technology and decarbonisation minister Jesse Norman said: “It’s critical that progress in decarbonising fleets is matched elsewhere. We will continue to forge ahead, to complete the switch by 2027 and help make the UK a world leader in decarbonisation.”

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Skoda is testing a way to stop near-misses at level crossings

By

John Redfern

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March 14, 2023

0

Skoda is testing new technology to help prevent collisions between cars and trains at level crossings.

Research by the Czech brand found that 992 near-misses occurred between trains and vehicles in the UK in the 10 years between 2011 and 2021.

According to the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB), there are an average of 99 near-misses every year. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were 75 recorded incidents between 2019 and 2020, and also between 2018 and 2019.

Four actual collisions between trains and road vehicles occurred between 2021 and 2022.

Danger, high voltage!

UK motorists face a £60 fine and three points on their driving licence for disobeying level crossing rules. Despite this, 8,264 drivers crossed when it was unsafe between 2014 and 2021.

There are around 6,000 level crossings in the UK. However, only one-third of these have any measures in place to warn drivers of an approaching train.

Faced with such a substantial road safety issue, Skoda is piloting new software to warn drivers of trains approaching level crossings. It is currently being tested by the Czech railway company, Leo Express.

Real-time train location data is stored in the cloud, then communicated to the car as it approaches a level crossing. Drivers see a warning on the multimedia screen, along with a spoken command to stop.

Cloud-based warnings

Skoda’s Traffication app is used to receive and share warnings about level crossings. Integrated into the car’s infotainment system, the app can also warn drivers of other potential hazards, thanks to cloud-based technology.

In the UK, the Traffication app runs automatically in the background, and can alert drivers about motorists driving the wrong way down a road, or severe weather. Information collated from other Skodas can be used to tailor warnings – e.g. poor visibility might be detected by a number of drivers turning on their fog lights.

With the exception of the Enyaq iV, the Traffication app is available for all Skoda models fitted with the latest MIB-3 infotainment system.

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New Petersen Museum exhibition features eroded auto icons

By

John Redfern

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March 13, 2023

0

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles has unveiled its latest exhibition, featuring unusual ‘eroded’ car sculptures.

‘Arsham Auto Motive’ features the work of Daniel Arsham. It includes four life-size cars, made using materials that include selenite, quartz and even volcanic ash.

With inspiration from archaeology, history and pop culture, Arsham’s work presents the four cars as if they have been eroded both inside and out.

Iconic Porsches eroded

Arsham’s 1955 ‘Bonsai’ Porsche 356 Speedster has been influenced by the Japanese concept of appreciating beauty that is ‘imperfect and impermanent’.

It took Arsham two years to expose the Speedster’s raw metal bodywork, including welds and natural wear marks. Linseed oil was then used to preserve the metal from the elements. The interior is finished with upholstery made in Japan.

The stylish 356 Speedster remains fully usable, with the engine restored back to its original condition.

A second Porsche is another star of the show: the Eroded 911. This makes use of blue calcite stone, quartz, selenite and hydrostone. Arsham’s ‘fictional archaeology’ work is meant to show the Porsche 911 eroding, and undergoing a process of crystallisation.

Recreated and ruined

A Ferrari 250 GT California Spyder plays a central role in the 1986 movie, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. It also captured the attention of Arsham, who spent more than a year creating an eroded version from quartz.

Underneath is a vehicle created by the prop expert who built the replica Ferraris used in the film. Arsham then crafted 35 new body panels to give the impression of the Ferrari wearing away.

“Having previously exhibited Keith Haring and Andy Warhol’s work, it is evident that pop culture and the automotive sector make for an exciting, crowd-pleasing combination,” said the Petersen Automotive Museum’s executive director, Terry L. Karges.

“Daniel Arsham’s talent makes a strong case that cars can inspire artistic creations, while also serving as art pieces themselves.”

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