Classic cars are leaving the UK bound for the EU, with European collectors benefiting from the weak pound.
That’s according to auction house Coys, which has seen a “noticeably higher than average sale rate of cars being shipped to European countries”.
At a recent Blenheim auction, a collector arrived from Marseille and bought a Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, a Fiat 500, a Jaguar E-Type and a Ferrari 308.
Meanwhile, a German buyer – new to the classic car market – purchased a Lamborghini Jalpa and a Maserati Merak. Coys referenced an “auction room bidding war between two Germans that left any English buyers in the dust”.
The Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0 (pictured) left the UK bound for Spain, selling for £312,700.
‘Alignment of the planets’
Chris Routledge of Coys said: “The strength of the Euro against Sterling has undoubtedly created a very advantageous buying climate for European classic car collectors, with not only sensibly priced cars but with the current exchange rate being perceived as being at least 25 percent discounted against European asking prices.
“This is a unique set of circumstances – an alignment of the planets if you like. The quality of the stock in the UK is of the highest international standard, European buyers know it and are very keen to get their hands on it, as with current exchange rates, the prices could not be more attractive.
“For UK sellers of classic cars and other collectibles who wish to sell in Sterling to European collectors, the outlook is very strong while these exchange rates continue, and they should consider grabbing hold of this opportunity while they can. We live in very interesting times.”
Needless to say, Coys is urging UK classic car owners to consider selling their classics at its next international auction at Schloss Dyck in Germany on 3 August 2019.
The auction house has made “special arrangements for discounted transport” to allow them to “copper bottom” their chances of selling their classic to a European buyer.
It would welcome a longer Stonehenge tunnel to “reduce further the impact on the cultural landscape”.
Unesco joins a long list of opponents, including environmentalists, local residents, druids, archaeologists and farmers. Members of the Stonehenge Alliance have submitted a 220-page document outlining their objections.
‘Truly shocking’
Kate Fielden, a spokesperson for the alliance, said: “Major road and tunnel engineering will have a truly shocking impact on this site.
“If the plan were to go ahead an entirely new dual carriageway, deep cuttings, and tunnel entrances would be introduced on a massive scale into this country’s premier prehistoric landscape. The expanded road would draw significantly more traffic into the World Heritage Site.”
Highways England argues that the proposed Stonehenge tunnel – which would be a further 50 metres away from the monument – would avoid “intrusion on the view of the setting sun from the stones during the winter solstice”.
The upgrade also includes eight miles of dual carriageway, a new bypass to the north of Winterbourne Stoke, and junctions with the A345 and A360 either side of the World Heritage Site.
Stonehenge is a notorious bottleneck on the A303 between London and the South West, responsible for severe delays at peak times and during the summer holidays.
Many motorists would welcome the upgrade, but the scheme is unlikely to reach its conclusion earlier than 2026; the contractor procurement process will take 18 months alone.
Highways England hopes to start work on the Stonehenge upgrade in 2021, should be planning consent be granted.
‘Unlock congestion’
Highways England project director Derek Parody said: “We expect this scheme to be of interest to some of the world’s best construction companies, who want to be part of delivering this transformational project – a scheme which will not only unlock congestion along this vital A303 route, conserve and enhance the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage Site but also benefit the local and regional economy by providing skills and job opportunities for businesses large and small.
“This in no way pre-empts the outcome of the ongoing Development Consent Order Examination. While this continues to progress, we need to begin the procurement to put us in a position to be able to start construction on schedule in 2021, providing consent is given.
“The start of the procurement process demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to this scheme and an expectation that progress on it continues as planned”.”
2019 has seen the start of a brand-new motorsport championship called W Series, which is only open to women.
With primetime TV coverage, and 18 competitors gunning for an impressive grand prize, we have a full guide to everything you need to know about #WSeries.
OK, so what is the W Series?
The W Series is the first all-female single-seater motorsport competition in the world. It has been created to promote the best women drivers in motorsport, with the ultimate aim of delivering the first female Formula 1 World Champion.
Led by chief executive Catherine Bond Muir, the W Series also includes ex-Formula 1 driver David Coulthard and legendary design engineer Adrian Newey as board members.
A substantial $1.5 million prize fund is on offer, with the championship being free to enter.
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Does motorsport need an all-female championship in 2019?
The organisers of the W Series believe an all-female competition is needed to help fast-track the best women drivers to Formula 1, and that a gender-specific championship is the most effective way to do so.
Whatever your opinion, what cannot be denied is that female drivers are underrepresented in top-level motorsport. For example, only five women have entered Formula 1 races since the championship began in 1950. The last female to actually start a Grand Prix was Lella Lombardi in 1976!
Although other series such as IndyCar and NASCAR have seen more recent, and regular, female entrants, there is still a clear gender imbalance in motorsport.
The hope is also that a high-profile competition like the W Series will encourage girls to consider careers in engineering and science subjects linked to racing.
How were the W Series drivers chosen?
More than 100 drivers applied to enter the 2019 W Series, then whittled down to 18 by a comprehensive selection process.
A total of 54 contenders were invited to an extensive series of on- and-off-track challenges to gain a place. This included tests of driving skills, fitness appraisals, and even psychometric evaluations.
The 18 chosen drivers will be competing for championship glory, and $500,000 for the overall winner. All competitors will receive financial prizes wherever they finish in the championship.
Who are the British contenders in the W Series?
Although 13 nationalities are represented in the 2019 W Series, British drivers account for five of the coveted 18 seats.
Jamie Chadwick was the first female driver to win a British GT Championship, and the first woman to win a British Formula 3 race.
Esmee Hawkey has raced Porsches in the UK GT Cup, and also competes in the Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain.
Undertaking stunt driving duties for the Fast and Furious Live stadium show is just one career highlight for Jessica Hawkins, along with racing in the Mini Challenge UK.
Alice Powell was the first female driver to win a Formula Renault race, and also won the 2014 Asian Formula Renault Championship.
Finally, Yorkshire-based Sarah Moore has already competed in 132 races, and won the 2009 Ginetta Junior Championship, becoming the first woman to do so.
What cars do they use in W Series?
All drivers will use equal-spec Tatuus F3 T-318 single-seater racers, featuring a turbocharged 1.8-litre engine and six-speed sequential gearbox.
Slick tyres will be used, with the cars also featuring adjustable aerodynamic wings and spoilers. Just like in Formula 1, a HALO safety device is fitted over the open cockpit.
Where do races in the W Series take place?
For 2019, the W Series has secured a prestigious spot supporting six European rounds of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Championship.
This means racing at famous tracks such as Hockenheim, Misano, and Brands Hatch. Plans for future seasons include expanding the W Series to include Asia and the Americas.
W Series race weekends will see driver undertake two free practice sessions on the Friday, before qualifying on Saturday morning.
The race itself takes place on Saturday afternoon, lasting for around 30 minutes.
As in Formula 1, the top 10 finishers will each score championship points.
How can I watch W Series on TV?
W Series organisers have been prolific in securing primetime TV coverage for this important new championship. In the UK, this means free-to-air live HD coverage of every W Series race on Channel 4.
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Lee McKenzie, who has previously reported on Formula 1 for BBC and Channel 4, will be lead anchor for W Series coverage. Commentary will be provided by Claire Cottingham, with David Coulthard as co-commentator.
Ted Kravitz will be the dedicated pitlane reporter for the W Series, continuing his established F1 role.
That’s the first of a series of rounds for the season, which will visit through Portugal, Austria, Hungary and Germany. McCarthy will be driving a Rallycross variant of the new Audi A1.
After rising through the ranks to some early ‘90s efforts in F1 and five cracks at Le Mans, McCarthy played the black-suited ‘Stig’ in the first two series of ‘new’ Top Gear in the early 2000s. He was ‘killed’ when he was fired off the end of an aircraft carrier in a Jaguar XJ-S. Classic Top Gear…
“At 58 years old, I’m so proud and delighted to be coming back to motor racing at this level,” said Perry McCarthy.
“It’s a big challenge ahead, especially as I’ve never competed in rallycross, but it’s given me something to get my teeth into and thankfully I was still fast in testing.
“Since I retired, I’ve been doing corporate speeches and personal appearances around the world, but now my racing instincts have returned in a big way. I may not be as young as I used to be, but I’ve been training for a while now and I am fit, focused and hungry.”
Rallycross is no joke, either. The circuits are technical and the racing is tactical. Driving on low-grip surfaces requires balletic balance and judgement. It’s a superb test of a racing driver’s key skills and instincts.
“The nature of the series is entertainment,” continued McCarthy.
“It’s flat-out, adrenaline-fuelled motor racing action, where all drivers compete on a level playing field in PanteraRX6 rallycross cars. The driver-focused motorsport is guaranteed to pack all the action and drama that it used to deliver to its passionate rallycross fans.
“I’m grateful to TitansRX founder and CEO Max J Pucher for taking me on board and am looking forward to plenty of wheel-to-wheel action.”
As the world celebrates the 50th anniversary of man taking his first steps on the moon, auto enthusiasts will be fascinated to learn that the Ford Motor Company was an integral part of the moon landing operation, as well as three further decades of operations.
“Really,” you’re thinking? Surely it must have been something to do with the lunar rover… False. It wasn’t until the Apollo 15 Lunar visit of 1971 that the lunar rover went to the moon.
Ford’s involvement in the Apollo 11 moon landing is far more in-depth, albeit not in the sense you’d expect.
Ford’s (space) race division
Ford was actually involved in the construction and maintenance of the Mission Control Centre. How? As the outside investor for Philco, an engineering company founded on the manufacturing of carbon arc lamps, followed by batteries, radios, televisions and innovative transistors.
1969 Woodstock Summer of Love VW Bus brought back to life
It was in 1961 that Ford’s beyond-automobile venture Philco-Ford came into being. This is the division that would see the Ford name be integral in our first adventures to other celestial bodies.
Philco-Ford, a relative underdog company, beat the likes of IBM, Lockheed and AT&T in securing the contract to fit out Mission Control Centre at the new Houston Manned Space Centre. It was the clout and associated resource of the Ford name, along with Philco’s pioneering electronics systems and knowledge, that won the job.
Readying Houston for the moon landing
Philco-Ford had a mammoth task on its hands. This was a pioneering task in almost every sense, with new computing and software systems required to both metaphorically, and literally, help tread new ground.
It had to deliver a full control centre capable of managing remote tracking sites, as well as communications and control of the spacecraft itself.
Once the Mission Control Centre was successfully completed in 1965, Philco-Ford remained integral to the operation. It supplied staff on site for constant and consistent support. Each subsequent mission required re-designs, with wiring changes sometimes numbering up to and beyond two million.
The landing itself took things to a new level again – although the most incredible achievement by Philco-Ford would continue in use for a whole year following the return of the Astronauts on July 24, 1969.
In collaboration with IBM and NASA, Philco-Ford developed the Early Apollo Scientific Experiments Package, or EASEP. This device was to remain on the moon to learn more about the lunar environment long after Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong had returned home.
Philco-Ford to Ford Aerospace
The Ford name would endure as an integral part of out-of-atmosphere activities throughout the next two decades.
In 1980, as many as half the communications satellites operational in orbit had been build by Ford, following the company’s 1976 evolution into Ford Aerospace and Communications Corporation.
It wasn’t until 1990 that Ford divested its space explorer division, when Ford Aerospace was sold to Loral Corporation.
From the lunar orbit, landings, to satellite coms, Skylad, Apollo-Soyuz and the Space Shuttle, the stamp of the blue oval on man’s pioneering exploits to the final frontier are undeniable.
Hiring a prom limo that hasn’t been properly vetted and licensed could be putting children at risk.
The warning comes from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), which says that the driver may not have had a criminal record check or the prom limo may not be roadworthy.
More advice on Motoring Research
The DVSA is urging parents to carry out simple checks via its website to find out if the company has a public service vehicle operators’ licence. This applies to to anyone running limousines with nine or more seats.
If the prom limo has fewer than nine seats, parents are advised to contact their local council to see if the company is licensed as a private hire vehicle operator. If a company has neither licence in place it can be reported to the DVSA, which has the power to remove limousines from the road.
Be safe not sorry
Gareth Llewellyn, DVSA chief executive, said: “DVSA is committed to protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles. We know parents want to keep their children safe but rogue limousine operators working outside of the law are putting them at risk.
“We will not hesitate to take action against cowboy operators who risk the lives of young people and other road users. This could include seizing limousines and referring operators to the traffic commissioners, who have the power to take away their licence.”
Bill Bowling, National Limousine and Chauffeur Association legislation officer, added: “The safety of your passengers is paramount to us and we ask that parents ensure that the company they use is properly licensed and insured. Many people are being taken to their prom in unlicensed and therefore uninsured wedding cars or novelty vehicles.
“Our members are all properly vetted and licensed and are there to ensure the safety of your family and friends. Be safe not sorry.”
In 2013, the DVSA issued guidance for operators of stretch limousines, including information on driver licensing, drivers’ hours, in-service testing, seatbelts, speed limiters, tachographs, vehicle licensing and vehicle standards.
Illegal prom limos will be crushed
In January 2015, Merseyside Police crushed an illegally modified stretch limousine after it failed to meet UK safety laws because a third axle had been fitted. Earlier, in 2010, eight limos taking school pupils to their prom failed roadside checks have been pulled as part of a joint operation between the police, local council and VOSA.
Fifth Gear crashed a Lincoln Town Car stretch limousine to highlight the dangers of travelling in what is essentially a ‘cut and shut’. The results are… predictable.
“We can no longer keep doing the same things in the same way if we want to improve” road safety is the message from the government as it launches its action plan to cut deaths.
The Road Safety Statement outlines the actions over the next two years, with 74 ideas designed to improve road safety.
The UK is ranked third in Europe and second in the EU in terms of safety, when ranked by the number of road deaths per million inhabitants.
Only Norway (20 road deaths per million) and Sweden (25 road deaths per million) boast a superior road safety record.
There were 1,793 reported fatalities in 2017 – 39 percent fewer compared with 2007. But the government thinks we can do even better.
‘We are not complacent’
“The UK has some of the safest roads in the world,” said transport secretary Chris Grayling, “but we are not complacent and continue to look at how we can make them safer.
“Today’s action plan is a key milestone in our road safety work and sets out the important steps we are taking to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.”
Over the past 12 months, the Department of Transport (DfT) has announced a series of road safety measures, including £100 million Safer Roads Funds, designed to improve safety on the 50 most dangerous roads in England. The DfT has also given nearly £500,000 to the RAC Foundation to learn more about collision investigations.
The two-year action plan is largely focused on four user groups: young road users, rural road users, motorcyclists and older vulnerable road users. In the background is a three-pillar approach to road safety, encompassing safer vehicles, safer speed and a safer infrastructure.
The government is considering increasing the penalties for drivers who do not belt up in the car, with 27 percent of car deaths involving people who were not wearing a seatbelt.
Road Safety Minister Michael Ellis said: “Far too many people are not wearing a seatbelt while traveling in a car, needlessly putting their lives at risk.
“Increasing penalties for people who disregard the simplest of way of protecting themselves is just one of a long list of actions this government is taking to help keep people safe on our roads.”
The Road Safety Statement: summary
The 74 proposals outlined in the Road Safety Statement 2019: A Lifetime of Road Safety publication can be split into the following categories:
Young road users: first steps to greater safety
Young adults: dealing with growing independence
Adults: staying within the law
Third-age adults: safety as you get older
Fleets and people who drive for work
Safer heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
Safer motorcycles
Emissions and air quality
Automated vehicles
Rural roads
The strategic road network
Urban areas and the environment
Road collisions
Building foundations for the future
RAC welcomes the proposals
In response to the publication, RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “The Government is rightly recognising there are different challenges drivers contend with throughout their driving careers, so we broadly welcome many of these proposals.
“Of course it is right to crack down on those that do not wear a seatbelt and we welcome tougher penalties which will encourage some to belt up behind the wheel. But this alone won’t be enough to make the roads safer.
“A number of those who choose not to buckle up are also likely to be those that flout other road traffic laws. This reinforces the importance of enforcement and we fear some drivers will persist without the genuine threat of being caught and prosecuted for not wearing a seatbelt.
“The Government is also right to focus on rural roads given that these types of roads are often where many serious collisions take place. Incorporating plans for learner drivers to get more practice on these road types as well as night time driving will be beneficial to improving overall driving standards.”
Vauxhall has extended its scrappage offer, meaning you now have until the end of September to get a minimum £4,000 guaranteed scrappage allowance on selected vehicles.
The ‘Trade Up’ offer – which was set to expire at the end of June – is available on Astra, Mokka X, Crossland X, Grandland X and Viva Rocks models.
The trade-in car must be at least seven years old to be valid for the scrappage allowance.
Alternatively, if the vehicle isn’t ready to be scrapped, Vauxhall will offer a minimum of £3,000 part-exchange allowance, plus the value of the car, towards a new Vauxhall.
On its website, Vauxhall claims the scrappage allowance is best suited to cars worth less than £1,000, while the part-ex offer is designed for cars worth upwards of £1,000.
Either way, please check that a collector or enthusiast isn’t interested in your ‘scrappage’ candidate before leaving it at a Vauxhall dealer. Price guides and trade valuations aren’t always 100 percent accurate when it comes to rare, interesting or in-demand vehicles. Use social media or specialist forums to find out what it could be worth to the right buyer.
Stephanie Howson, Vauxhall’s retail sales director said: “There really isn’t anything quite like driving off the forecourt in a brand new car for the first time, and thanks to our exciting Trade Up event, motorists will be able to share in that feeling.
“People often assume they can’t afford to buy a brand new car, but that’s simply not the case. We would like to encourage anyone considering upgrading their vehicle to visit their nearest Vauxhall retailer and take advantage of this fantastic offer.”
Get your money off Rocks
If you’re looking to spend the least amount on a new car, the Viva Rocks is the cheapest Vauxhall available with the scrappage discount. It’s essentially a Viva with raised ground clearance and crossover-like styling, with prices starting from £12,240.
With the scrappage allowance, it takes the price down to £8,240, which is less than an entry-level Dacia Sandero Stepway.
Alternatively, Crossland X prices start from £17,715, the Astra range kicks off at £18,905, the Mokka X from £20,645 and the Grandland X from £23,415.
Visit the Vauxhall website for full terms and conditions, but again, do think carefully before scrapping your current motor. Vauxhall’s “old wreck” might be another person’s valued vehicle…
Remember, the offer ends at the end of September… unless Vauxhall decides to extend it again.
It may have taken more than six decades, but drivers in the UK will finally be able to have a Chevrolet Corvette with the steering wheel on the right.
The announcement came as part of the grand unveiling for the new 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray, which makes a controversial leap to a mid-engined layout.
Moving the engine to the middle has solved some of the packaging challenges which previously kept the Corvette left-hand drive only. It means using a Corvette in the UK everyday will become much easier, which should help boost interest in this American icon.
V8 engine still remains
Although the move to midship design may upset some Corvette fans, Chevrolet believed the traditional front-engined platform had reached its limit.
As a result, the new C8 Corvette Stingray should be the most performance focussed version created. Chevrolet also promises it to be the fastest Corvette to accelerate from 0-60mph, with certain versions doing this in under 3.0 seconds.
Beneath the radical new design there is still a V8 engine. A naturally aspirated 6.2-litre ‘Small Block’ (yes, that’s really what GM calls it) will produce 495hp and 470lb-ft of torque. Expect turbocharged versions, with a lot more power, to follow in the future.
Shifting expectations
An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is also a Corvette first. The lack of a true manual option will leave some Corvette purists upset, but the DCT gearbox is all in the pursuit of better performance and packaging.
Closer ratios for gears 2 to 6 aid acceleration, and drivers can still use paddle shifters to change gear. Launch control will also be offered, allowing the C8 to get off the line as quickly as possible.
A move to mid-engine has also required Chevrolet to completely rethink how the Corvette rides and handles. It promises increased comfort and stability, with a new coilover suspension system.
Inspired by jet fighters
Chevrolet claims that the swooping canopy of the new Corvette takes inspiration from the F35 and F22 fighter jets. The interior is also heavily focussed on the driver, furthering the aeronautical theme.
The finish inside is certainly more luxurious than a jet fighter, making use of leather and real metal trim throughout. Buyers also have the choice of genuine aluminium or carbon fibre detailing. A Bose stereo system, heated steering wheel, and a new 12-inch digital dashboard are also part of the new upgrades.
Three trim levels will be offered, including a hardcore Competition Sport option, aimed at drivers who attend track days.
Everyday supercar
Although it may be mid-engined, Chevrolet has still ensured the new C8 Stingray can do the things typical Corvette drivers ask of it.
Two sets of golf clubs can fit in an expanded cargo space, and the front axle can lift by 40mm to help clear speed bumps and potholes. The navigation system can even store 1,000 locations for when the car needs to rise up.
Pricing for the UK market is yet to be confirmed, but American buyers will see prices starting from $60,000 – equivalent to £49,000.
Production is due to begin at General Motor’s Bowling Green Assembly plant in late 2019. For those in the UK, deliveries are expected to happen in early 2021.
When it comes to new cars, the physical product is only part of the mix. There are a number of variables that combine to determine the success of a given vehicle, with the strength of branding helping decide whether it dies or thrives. By using Google Trends from the past decade, Compare The Market has calculated which brands are falling out of favour. Here, we list the brands we appear to be falling out of love with.
16. Honda
Compare The Market used the search trends for each car make, model and vehicle type from 2009 to 2018 to deliver a percentage change over the decade. For what it’s worth, Tesla is a brand on the up, with an increase of 384.97 percent. Meanwhile, Honda has seen its share of search traffic fall by 0.47 percent. It wouldn’t take much to reverse that trend; we suspect Honda’s new electric car could push the brand into a positive position.
15. BMW
Google accounts for around 90 percent of all search traffic, so it’s an important part of a brand’s online profile. That said, social channels play an increasing role for car manufacturers, so while BMW’s Google search traffic has dropped by 0.63 percent, it will take some solace from the fact that it is the most popular car brand on Instagram. At the time of writing, BMW had 21.8 million followers and counting.
14. Audi
Audi’s Google traffic might be down, but the company recently posted record half-year sales in China, while the new E-tron SUV accounts for around 3.7 percent of Audi sales in the United States. The point here is not to read too much into the Google search stats. By filling every available niche, the company is well placed for the next decade, and the E-tron and future Audi EVs are tapping into a growing market.
13. Mazda
According to Automotive News, Mazda’s US sales are down 16 percent in the first five months of 2019 – compared with 2.4 percent for the industry. Worryingly, all Mazda models recorded a double-digit decline in the same period. Mazda will say that this is part of its push upmarket, with the company focusing on niche, high-margin vehicles. But if Google traffic is anything to go by (down 5.29 percent), fewer people are searching for the brand.
12. Porsche
As we mentioned at the start, Tesla has seen a 384.97 percent increase in Google search traffic, which is hardly surprising given that the Model S arrived in 2012. But the brand continues to gain momentum on the showroom floor, with industry analyst Matthias Schmidt reporting Western European Tesla sales of 31,065 during the first five months of this year – enough to outsell Porsche. Google search traffic is down 7.24 percent for Porsche, according to Compare The Market.
11. Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz completes the trio of premium German brands to appear on the list, with Google search traffic down 8.35 percent. At the opposite end of the table – behind the all-conquering Tesla – you’ll find Jeep (up 74.06 percent), McLaren (up 36.73 percent), Jaguar (up 34.07 percent), Lamborghini (up 27.34 percent) and Pagani (up 25 percent).
10. Bugatti
We suspect the vast majority of people using Google to search for Bugatti aren’t the company’s target audience. The period covered by Compare The Market was dominated by Veyron special editions and the launch of the Chiron, but search traffic is down 9.89 percent. Maybe Bugatti needs to develop an SUV. Perish the thought.
9. Volkswagen
It’s quite surprising to find Volkswagen on the list, especially when you consider how much search traffic would have been generated by the ‘Dieselgate’ scandal. The company has just announced that it is killing off the Volkswagen Golf SportWagen (estate) and Golf Alltrack in the United States, citing the shift to SUVs as the reason for their demise. In the first half of 2019, SUVs accounted for 47 percent of US sales, and 50 percent of VW sales.
8. Bentley
Bentley has seen a 12.46 percent fall in Google search traffic over the past decade, although it’s likely to receive a boost in 2019 in the midst of the brand’s centenary celebrations. The company has said it will electrify all of its models by 2023, with all-electric Bentleys following in 2025.
7. Chevrolet
In 2013, General Motors announced plans to all but pull Chevrolet from the European market to allow it to focus investment ‘where the opportunity for growth is greatest’. The European exit would have played a small part in the drop in Google search traffic, but Chevy’s heartland remains the United States. Google traffic is down 19.18 percent.
6. Vauxhall
Vauxhall search traffic is down 23.81 percent, presumably because the nation still hasn’t forgiven the company for those Griff Rhys Jones adverts…
5. Fiat
Next up, two famous Italian car companies beginning with the letter ‘F’. The first is Fiat, with search traffic down by 24.89 percent. We suspect this has a lot to do with the absence of new products, with the current Panda dating back to 2011, and the 500 essentially of 2007 vintage, albeit with a facelift for 2016. We suspect nobody has searched for the Fiat Tipo.
4. Ferrari
Well, this is a surprise. Ferrari – the star of million bedroom walls, with 14.9 million Instagram followers to its name – appears to be declining in popularity in the world of Google. We suspect nobody is losing too much sleep in Maranello.
3. Lotus
No surprise here, because Lotus has done little to reach beyond the realms of enthusiasts over the past decade. The launch of the Lotus Evija, the company’s most powerful road car, should result in a spike in traffic in 2019. “The Evija is a car like no other. It will re-establish our brand in the hearts and minds of sports car fans and on the global automotive stage,” said CEO Phil Popham. “We hope this is our Sergeant Pepper moment.”
2. Rolls-Royce
Social traffic, influencers, VIPs and word of mouth are probably more important to Rolls-Royce, so a 33.14 percent in Google search traffic is unlikely to lead to a rush to the boardroom in Goodwood. In the first half of 2019, 2,534 Rolls-Royce cars were sold – an increase of 42.3 percent.
1. Aston Martin
Anecdotally, Aston Martin seems to be generating as much buzz as McLaren, but while the Woking firm has seen Google traffic increase by 36.73 percent, Aston Martin traffic is down 39.2 percent. Maybe the new James Bond movie will help…
For 2019, the W Series has secured a prestigious spot supporting six European rounds of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters Championship.
It may have taken more than six decades, but drivers in the UK will finally be able to have a Chevrolet Corvette with the steering wheel on the right. 
Although the move to midship design may upset some Corvette fans, Chevrolet believed the traditional front-engined platform had reached its limit. 
An eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is also a Corvette first. The lack of a true manual option will leave some Corvette purists upset, but the DCT gearbox is all in the pursuit of better performance and packaging.
Chevrolet claims that the swooping canopy of the new Corvette takes inspiration from the F35 and F22 fighter jets. The interior is also heavily focussed on the driver, furthering the aeronautical theme. 
