Last month was the weakest July for car registrations since 1998, according to new statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The industry body blames the ‘pingdemic’ – alerts from the NHS app requiring customers to self-isolate – and ongoing semiconductor shortage for stifling sales.

In total, 123,296 new cars were registered in July – a fall of 22.3 percent compared with the average figure recorded over the last decade. It’s also a drop of 29.5 percent compared with July 2020.

However, the SMMT noted the comparison with figures from 12 months ago is ‘artificially heightened’ as registrations rose dramatically when car showrooms enjoyed a full month’s operation following the first 2020 coronavirus lockdown.

The decline was predominantly within large fleets, with registrations 28.7 percent lower than the average recorded over the past decade. However, private registrations also declined – albeit to a lesser extent – with demand down by 10.7 percent to 59,841 vehicles.

Down versus last decade

As a result of the ongoing supply issues, the SMMT now estimates 1.82 million cars will be registered this year, down from the 1.86 million forecasted in April. Although the projected figure is an 11.7 percent increase on 2020, it’s still some 21.5 percent lower than the new car market recorded in the last decade.

On a more positive note, the bumper growth in plug-in cars continued, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for nine percent of registrations last month. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) reached eight percent. The SMMT says it expects BEVs to make up 9.5 percent of all new car registrations by the end of the year.

“The automotive sector continues to battle against shortages of semiconductors and staff, which is throttling our ability to translate a strengthening economic outlook into a full recovery,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.

“The next few weeks will see changes to self-isolation policies which will hopefully help those companies across the industry dealing with staff absences, but the semiconductor shortage is likely to remain an issue until at least the rest of the year

“The bright spot, however, remains the increasing demand for electrified vehicles as consumers respond in ever greater numbers to these new technologies, driven by increased product choice, fiscal and financial incentives and an enjoyable driving experience.”

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Citroen is offering car buyers the opportunity to communicate with dealership staff using British Sign Language.

Using video feeds linked to an interpreter, deaf and hard-of-hearing people will be able to speak to staff at its 190 sales and aftersales centres across the UK. Citroen has also pledged to increase accessibility for the deaf community, including by using sign language in its advertising campaigns.

According to Citroen, there are more than 11 million people who are deaf or have hearing difficulties in the UK. The video feeds are being provided by SignLive, with an interpreter appearing to help relay conversations between customers and staff.

Staff to receive training

The average wait time is 15-20 seconds, so the system ‘will allow deaf customers to communicate with a Citroen representative swiftly and efficiently, helping them to book servicing or find out more about the latest models and consumer offers’. Employees will also receive training so they can operate the service.

“By partnering with SignLive, we once again demonstrate how our customers inspire our thoughts and actions as we improve the way we serve deaf and hard of hearing people,” said Eurig Druce, managing director of Citroen UK.

“The nationwide adoption of SignLive across Citroen UK’s retailers will transform the car buying process for thousands of motorists, ensuring that it’s not only our products that deliver comfort and serenity for all – the customer experience does as well.”

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An early Jaguar E-Type that didn’t move for 40 years will soon gain a new lease of life. Restoration specialist E-Type UK plans to return the Series 1 4.2 Roadster to its former glory. 

The car was bought new by Yorkshire millionaire Tom Casson. Three months into his ownership in 1965, however, it was involved in a high-speed accident at Snetterton race circuit.

E-Type UK said the damage was ‘largely cosmetic’, but Casson did not fix the vehicle. He then sold it in 1966 with the odometer showing just 2,805 miles. The car’s next owner made minor repairs, although it wouldn’t turn a wheel for four decades.

As the maker of the E-Type Unleashed restomod, which we reviewed earlier this year, E-Type UK isn’t averse to taking on ambitious restorations. The car will now be stripped and catalogued, with careful preservation remaining the priority.

As part of the task, individual body panels will be hand-painted to a ‘flawless standard, ensuring a perfect exterior finish’. The Jaguar’s 4.2-litre six-cylinder engine will also receive a mechanical overhaul, retaining as many original parts as possible.

The E-Type’s factory-fit seats and dashboard top remain in good enough condition to be restored, rather than replaced altogether.  

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A selection of the rarest Ferraris will be displayed at next month’s Concours of Elegance event at Hampton Court Palace.

Highlights of the classic car gathering – which takes place between 3-5 September – include a 1950 Ferrari 166 Inter.

The example destined for London is one of three Stabilimenti Farina 166 cabriolets produced. It also starred at the Paris Motor Show in 1950.

A 1954 Ferrari 250 GT Europa will also grace Henry the Eighth’s former back garden. Only 30 250 GT Europas were made and this is the only right-hand-drive example.

It has competed at various racing events and is one of three 250s due to appear at Concours of Elegance. A 1960 250 GT Coupe and 250 GT Berlinetta SWB complete the trio.

Elsewhere, an unrestored 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB will make its UK debut, while a later 1967 275 GTB/4 – one of six 275/4s that were painted black by the factory – will also be displayed. 

The final prancing horse to be shown is a 1991 Ferrari F40, which was delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss and has never left the UK.

Outside of the main display, the Concours of Elegance will gather around 1,000 cars in a number of special features.

These include a Gulf versus Martini livery celebration, a line-up of unique or bespoke modern rarities in the Future Classics class, plus a selection of the finest coachbuilt Rolls-Royces.

In addition, a collection of 95 British cars will be gathered to celebrate the Queen’s 95th birthday. And, at the opposite end of age spectrum, a new ‘30 under 30’ concours aims to inspire the next generation of classic car fans.

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The government’s climate spokesperson says she does not drive an electric car because her current diesel-powered vehicle better suits her needs.

Allegra Stratton admitted she drives a ‘third-hand’ Volkswagen Golf because she is put off by the current public EV charging infrastructure for long journeys.

In an interview with Times Radio, she said having to stop to recharge on longer jaunts – such as to Scotland or Gloucestershire from her home in north London – would increase the overall journey time.

“I don’t fancy it just yet. They’re all journeys that I think would be at least one quite long stop to charge,” said Stratton. She added that an electric car would become a more viable option if “the stop times for recharging improve so much that it’s half an hour”.

‘Views are a myth’

Her comments have been criticised by the automotive industry. Typically, new electric vehicles have a range of at least 200 miles between recharges.  

Edmund King, the president of the AA, hit back at Stretton’s comments and accused her of peddling a myth surrounding range.

“Unfortunately, too many views on EVs are a myth, based on hype and unwarranted range anxiety,” he told The Times. 

“Even on a rare journey of over 200 miles the driver should stop to take a break anyway for road safety reasons, so why not combine it with a rapid charge that takes just 20 minutes to go from a quarter charge to over 80 percent?”

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Three vehicles owned by Hairy Bikers presenter Simon King will be sold online this week.

For sale via Car & Classic, the lots include a Volkswagen California Type 2 Westfalia campervan and two motorcycles.

The Volkswagen was exported from America and has undergone a complete restoration since being in the TV star’s ownership.

Enhancements include all-new suspension, brakes, steering and a fuel system. The exterior has been resprayed and the interior has been restored, including the addition of modern electronic gadgets and UK three-pin plugs.

Simon King’s ‘Cosmic King’ motorcycle is also for sale. Its design is unique and was overseen by King for a publicity campaign. As such, it has only covered 750 miles since being built in 2010.

Car & Classic describes its 1,640cc V-Twin engine and belt-driven five-speed transmission as being in ‘almost-new condition’.

The final vehicle offered for auction is ‘Purple Haze’. This chopper motorcycle started life as a charity project and was bought by King via auction to help secure funds for The Archway Project.

It features a 1,638cc V-Twin engine and a six-speed transmission, and also includes vertical exhausts that finish at ear level. It has covered less than 1,000 miles since it was created in 2015.

The online-only auction for the Cosmic King motorbike ends on 3 August at 8pm, while both Purple Haze and the T2 Volkswagen Campervan end on 5 August at 5.45pm.

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Four out of 10 driving instructors have increased the price of driving lessons since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Instructors ‘have been left with no choice but to up the cost of driving lessons as the backlog of learners mounts and pressure on the industry builds’, says insurance company Marmalade.

Its survey of 4,000 instructors also found that 30 percent of instructors have reduced the frequency of lessons a learner driver can book. Some instructors favour learners with experience as they require less time behind the wheel. 

On average, driving lesson costs have increased by nine percent since the start of the pandemic, with the average now £31.15 per lesson, up from £28.47 in 2020. Marmalade says 21 percent of instructors are charging more than the current average.

Enquires up 227 percent

With demand for driving lessons outstripping the supply, instructors have experienced a 227 percent increase in enquiries since 2020, with an average of 8.24 more enquiries each week compared with the start of 2020. And 30 percent of instructors turn away five to 10 enquiries per week.

“Learner drivers are still feeling the impact of the past 18 months with the aftershock of the pandemic disrupting the industry at every level,” said Crispin Moger, CEO of Marmalade.

“Driving instructors have told us they are plagued by third-party apps that buy up all of the test slots, meaning they have no way of their pupils booking a test and leaving their capacity tight. This is a vicious cycle that is only making the situation worse for all parties, leaving learners unable to get on the road to freedom and impacting instructors’ businesses and lives.”

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