Nissan is seeking an injunction in the High Court against the EU Vote Leave campaign following persistent use of the firm’s name and logo without permission.
The official European Referendum ‘Brexit’ campaign has, says Nissan, used the firm’s name and logo in its literature and on its website – even after Nissan’s “repeated requests for them to stop.
Brexit Remain vote ‘critical’ warns UK automotive industry
“Permission to use our name and logo was not requested. If it was, it would not have been granted.” Nissan says Vote Leave’s use of its brand symbol “grossly misrepresents our widely circulated and publically stated position”.
Nissan has thus issued legal proceedings in the High Court, “asking for an injunction to stop Vote Leave’s use of Nissan’s name and logo, and to prevent them from making any further false statements and misrepresentations concerning Nissan”.
Rather than taking sides in the Brexit referendum, Nissan is not supporting any political campaign, deeming it “a matter for the people of the UK to decide”.
It did, however, say in February that it would prefer Britain remained in the EU: “For us, a position of stability is more favourable than a collection of unknowns,” said Nissan chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn.
8 in 10 Nissans built in the UK are exported, with most of them going to other European markets.
The UK automotive industry says a ‘Remain’ vote in this Thursday’s European Referendum is “critical to the future” of the industry – and has warned a vote to Leave for Brexit could jeopardise jobs and investment.
Supporting 800,000 jobs in the UK, the UK automotive industry is a major player and its trade body, the SMMT, has spoken today to deliver “absolute clarity on the sector’s position given recent misrepresentations.
“There should be no ambiguity about the sector’s views ahead of such a critical vote.”
SMMT chief executive, Mike Hawes, said a Remain vote will continue the automotive industry’s success, “rather than jeopardise it by increasing costs, making our trading relationships uncertain and creating new barriers to our single biggest and most important market, Europe.”
80% of cars built in Britain are exported, helping contribute £15.5 billion annually to the UK economy: nearly 6 in 10 go to Europe.
“Remaining will allow the UK to retain the influence on which the unique and successful UK automotive sector depends,” said Hawes.
Automotive industry leaders back Remain
The SMMT carried out a survey ahead of the campaigning period to find out members’ views on the European Referendum vote. 77% backed Remain; 9% backed Leave.
“Notably no large company said that an exit would be in their business’ best interests.”
Key reasons given for a remain vote by the SMMT include:
Unrestricted access to the world’s largest single market
The negotiating strength of the EU to secure international trade deals
The ability to shape technical regulations
Free movement of labour
The trade body has also today released statements from senior chiefs from Britain’s biggest automotive industry players.
Ken Gregor, Chief Financial Officer of Jaguar Land Rover: “Remaining in the EU – our largest market – will increase Jaguar Land Rover’s chances to grow, create jobs and attract investment in future technologies. Our European supply chain has been fundamental in helping us to meet customer expectations worldwide and achieve sustainable, profitable growth.”
Tony Walker, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK: “After considered review, we believe that continued membership of the European Union is best for our business and for our competitiveness in the longer term.”
Dr Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management, BMW AG: “We firmly believe Britain would be better off if it remained an active and influential member of the EU, shaping European regulations which will continue to impact the UK whatever the decision on Thursday.”
Rory Harvey, Managing Director and Chairman of Vauxhall: “We are part of a fully integrated European company where we benefit from the free movement of goods and people. We believe not to be part of the EU would be undesirable for our business and the sector as a whole.”
Car manufacturers are having to cancel orders for plug-in hybrid vehicles as demand is greatly exceeding supply of right-hand-drive models for the UK – with waiting lists of more than a year for some models.
Motoring Research understands that customers who have placed orders for BMW’s newly-launched 330e have had them cancelled by their dealership because the company’s UK allocation for right-hand-drive models has already been filled.
One poster on the PistonHeads forum said: “I’ve had the dreaded phone call from the leasing company and I am one of those who has had the order cancelled.
“They mentioned they have about 65 orders that have been cancelled by BMW. I asked for alternatives and I was told most PHEV cars have really long lead times including the Mercedes-Benz C350e, expected delivery about July/August.”
We approached BMW for comment and they admitted that demand has greatly exceeded the UK’s allocation of the 330e.
A BMW spokesperson said: “We predicted UK sales of 2,500 for the 330e this year, but the demand was much higher than we originally anticipated. We do have high demand across other PHEV models, but it’s not to the same extent as this.
“Due to very strong demand we are indeed oversubscribed on 330e. We’re working with affected parties now and will let you know more when we have it regarding future supply.”
BMW also sells plug-in hybrid versions of its 2 Series Active Tourer and X5 SUV , with a 740e expected to debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show.
Why are plug-in hybrids so popular?
Demand for the BMW 330e might be attributable to the upcoming change in the Government’s plug-in car grant. From 1 March 2016, it will only be eligible for a grant of £2,500 – compared to the £5,000 grant if customers order before this date.
It could also be influenced by the Government cancelling its planned lifting of the 3% BIK tax supplement for company car drivers. George Osborne announced in his autumn spending review that drivers of diesel company cars will continue to pay an extra 3% in tax following “the slower than expected introduction of more rigorous EU emissions testing”.
Could Dieselgate be driving demand?
In the wake of the Volkswagen ‘Dieselgate’ emissions scandal, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals that registrations of diesel cars are remaining stable, but petrol and alternative-fuel vehicles are increasing in popularity.
Registrations of petrol hybrids grew by 44.1% in January to 3,783 cars, while plug-in hybrid demand grew to 1,592 vehicles – a rise of 32.3% compared to the same time last year.
UK Volkswagen sales were down by 14% in January, but it isn’t all bad news for the firm. Rather than ordering diesel Golfs, it seems that many are looking at the hybrid alternative.
A Volkswagen spokesman told Motoring Research: “Last year we took around 2,500 orders for Golf GTE, and that number is expected to grow appreciably through 2016. Demand comfortably exceeds supply, although we have, of course, adjusted production to accommodate that increasing demand. As such, the time between order and delivery is now an estimated 15 weeks or so.”
Order books for the plug-in hybrid Passat GTE are yet to open in the UK, but demand is expected to be equally strong for the plug-in hybrid saloon.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is credited for being the car that caused the boom in plug-in hybrids in the UK. The company sold 11,786 Outlander PHEVs in the UK last year – and it says it has no problem fulfilling orders in 2016.
Mitsubishi Motors in the UK Sales Planning & Analysis Manager, Joe Sutton, said: “We don’t have any volume restrictions imposed on us by Mitsubishi Motors, hence most variants/colours of the Outlander PHEV are currently available with no additional lead times outside of normal preparation and delivery times.”
Mercedes-Benz refused to comment on the lead times for its C350e – despite rumours that it was also struggling to meet demand.
The Transport and Environment campaign group is calling on regulators to investigate 30 cars it claims produced ‘suspect’ emissions results when tested by authorities. The organisation says it has evidence that ‘defeat devices’, such as those used in the Volkswagen emissions scandal, have been used by ‘most’ carmakers.
The group says this evidence includes inappropriate use of a ‘thermal window’ (29 models), high ‘hot-restart’ emissions (23 models) and plain shut-offs after a certain time (at least one model). These are the 30 cars the organisation believes may use defeat devices.
BMW 216d Gran Tourer
As BMW’s first people carrier and front-wheel-drive model, the 2 Series GT is no stranger to controversy. Transport and Environment claims that, during tests, the 2 Series GT made liberal use of what’s described as a ‘thermal window’, a period during which manufacturers can decrease emissions management systems in a bid to prevent parts being damaged by condensation.
BMW 530d
The campaign group says that 23 of the ‘dirty 30’ feature unusually high emissions following a hot engine restart, rather than a cold start. Although manufacturers claim this is normal, Transport and Environment disputes this – with the BMW 530D being accused as one of the 23 hot-start dodgers.
Citroen C4 Picasso 1.6 BlueHDi
During cold track tests held in France, the group claims the Citroen C4 Picasso showed signs of the thermal window being abused.
Dacia Sandero 1.5 dCi
Bad news! The super-affordable Dacia Sandero is an emissions cheater, says Transport and Environment. Tested in France, the group alleges the Sandero ‘cheats’ the system using both thermal window and hot-start methods.
Fiat 500X 2.0 MJT
We quite like the Fiat 500X – although it’s better with the smaller 1.6-litre turbodiesel and fun 1.4-litre petrol than the 2.0-litre diesel featured here. Apparently, in German tests, the 500X’s exhaust treatment switched off after 22 minutes. Normally, emissions tests last for 20 minutes. Draw your own conclusions…
Ford C-Max TDCi
The organisation claims the popular Ford C-Max, powered by the turbodiesel in 1.5- and 2.0-litre guises, shows signs of dodging emissions tests. These include both the thermal window cheat and hot start.
Ford Focus 1.5 TDCi
It’s no surprise then, that the Focus, using the same 1.5-litre turbodiesel as the C-Max, also shows similar symptoms.
Honda CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC
It was during track testing in the UK with a warm engine that the Honda CR-V, powered by the 1.6-litre turbodiesel engine, showed signs of using both the thermal window and hot-start cheats.
Hyundai i20 1.1 CRDi
Tested in the UK, Transport and Environment says the Hyundai i20 with the super-efficient 1.1-litre CRDi engine shows signs of both thermal window and hot-start dodges.
Jaguar XE 2.0d
It’s the entry-level 163hp 2.0-litre turbodiesel Jaguar XE that’s been accused of cheating tests here. Again, it showed signs of playing both thermal window and hot start scams, says the organisation.
Kia Sportage 1.7 CRDi
The Kia Sportage has recently been replaced, but it’s its predecessor that the organisation claims defeated emissions tests. The 1.7-litre diesel showed signs of using the thermal window and hot-start methods, apparently.
Mazda 6 2.2 diesel
With Mazda’s Skyactiv technology, you’d hope the 2.2-litre diesel would be fairly efficient. The organisation claims it’s cheated tests, however.
Mercedes-Benz A180d and A200d
Transport and Environment claims that three Mercedes-Benz models have produced suspicious results during German emissions testing. The first is the A-Class, which allegedly showed signs of using the thermal window technique in testing of the A180d model, and both thermal window and hot-restart methods during testing of the A200d.
Mercedes-Benz S350 Bluetec
The current generation S-Class, in S350 Bluetec guise, reportedly showed symptoms of cheating using the hot-start and thermal window methods.
Mercedes-Benz V250d
Vans are currently under the spotlight with regard to emissions tests – and Mercedes-Benz’s ‘van with windows’ V250d is alleged to have produced some ‘interesting’ results.
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi
Ah, the wholesome, family-friendly Nissan Qashqai. Powered by the 1.6-litre diesel Renault engine, it showed peculiar results relating to the thermal window cheat during testing in the UK.
Peugeot 5008 1.6 BlueHDi
The only model by French manufacturer Peugeot alleged to have cheated tests is the 5008 people carrier, powered by the 1.6-litre BlueHDI turbodiesel engine.
Porsche Macan S Diesel
Porsche isn’t a big user of diesel engines – nor is it a company that is traditionally overly concerned about emissions. But buyers of its Macan S Diesel might be interested to know that Transport and Environment says it showed signs of ‘test recognition’ – just like VW’s cheat device.
Range Rover Evoque 2.0 TD4
Could this knock the ever-popular Range Rover Evoque off its perch? The 180hp turbodiesel apparently showed suspicious results in UK tests.
Renault Captur 1.5 dCi
Renault is potentially the biggest emissions cheat – says Transport and Environment – with no fewer than four cars showing suspect results. The first is the Captur crossover, with the 1.5-litre diesel engine.
Renault Megane 1.5 dCi
Unsurprisingly, the Megane powered by the same engine also showed signs of using the hot-start and thermal window dodges.
Renault Kadjar 1.5 and 1.6 dCi
As did the Renault Kadjar, in both 1.5- and 1.6-litre dCi guises.
Renault Espace 1.6 dCi
The 1.6-litre turbodiesel Renault Espace people carrier showed signs of using the thermal window cheat.
Skoda Octavia 1.6 TDI
As a Volkswagen Group product, it’s perhaps unsurprising to see the Skoda Octavia 1.6-litre turbodiesel showed signs of thermal window, test recognition and hot-start cheats.
Suzuki Vitara 1.6 DDiS
The latest Suzuki Vitara is one of our favourite crossovers, but Transport and Environment alleges that the 1.6-litre diesel showed signs of using the thermal window and hot-start bodges during testing.
Toyota Avensis 2.0 D-4D
The taxi drivers’ favourite – but is the Avensis pumping lots of nasty emissions into our city centres? The campaign group reckons so – with the 2.0-litre diesel showing signs of exploiting hot start and thermal window cheats.
Vauxhall Mokka 1.6 CDTi
Tested in Europe as an Opel, the diesel Mokka showed signs of using both thermal window and hot-start cheats according to Transport and Environment.
Vauxhall Zafira 1.6 CDTi
Amid the fire scandal, a Zafira’s emissions might be the last thing on an owner’s mind. Using the same engine as the Mokka, the newer Zafira Tourer showed suspicious results in hot-restart and thermal window tests.
Vauxhall Insignia 2.0 CDTi
The company car driver’s favourite thanks to its low emissions (on paper), has the Insignia been cheating tests? Transport and Environment thinks so.
Volvo V60 D3
Completing the ‘dirty thirty’ is the Volvo V60 D3. The Swedish estate car, tested in Spain, cheats thermal window and hot-start tests, according to the organisation behind the research.
Following his successful debut on the new series of Top Gear, petrolhead Chris Harris has revealed he will be fronting a new series of films for TopGear.com.
Harris has become well known amongst car enthusiasts over the years for his lengthy Youtube videos – but members of the public were in for a surprise when he appeared in a Ferrari F12tdf on Sunday’s Top Gear.
Speaking to TopGear.com, Harris said: “Obviously I’m thrilled to be making beautiful films like the F12tdf piece for the Top Gear television show. But the longer-form, more detailed web films I’ve made with Neil Carey over the years remain my natural format, and broadcasting them through TG’s huge online audience is a dream come true.
“If you want to know even more technical details about cars, hear more in-depth analysis, I hope we’ll be the perfect destination. I want the films to be just as they were on Chris Harris on Cars. With added slow-motion slides.”
I’m still doing the telly show and Extra Gear, but I wanted to keep making the longer, geeky films. And the dear old Beeb said ‘okay’!!
We’re yet to find out when the films will appear – or what cars they’ll feature – but a preview posted on the website shows Harris driving exotic hypercars including the McLaren P1, Porsche 918 and LaFerrari.
Harris added: “The Top Gear magazine and online team are the best out there. I can’t think of a more exciting recipe than applying myself and Neil’s skills in making engaging films for hardcore car enthusiasts, with their ability to actually be organised (never my strongest attribute) and push the content as far and wide as possible.
“But most of all I want to have fun. Having fun shooting cars makes much better films.”
Chris Harris made his Top Gear debut this evening behind the wheel of the ferocious Ferrari F12 TDF – but Harris hasn’t always had such a good relationship with the Prancing Horse.
In 2011, when Harris wrote a scathing blog post for Jalopnik entitled ‘How Ferrari Spins’, the boys at Maranello were more than a little miffed and knocked him off their list of ‘journos to lend cars to’.
In the article, Harris accused Ferrari of optimising test cars so they did well in magazine performance tests.
He said: “Sad to say it, but the ecstasy of driving a new Ferrari is now almost always eradicated by the pain of dealing with the organisation. Why am I bothering to tell you this? Because I’m p***ed with the whole thing now.
“It’s gotten out of control; to the point that it will soon be pointless believing anything you read about its cars through the usual channels, because the only way you get access is playing by its rules.”
He talked about the Ferrari 360 Modena press car, which was two seconds quicker to 100mph than a customer car he also tested – and a 430 Scuderia with ‘standard’ tyres that stuck themselves to the rollers during a dyno session.
“And this is the nub: how f***ing paranoid do you have to be to put even stickier rubber on a Scuderia?”, he added.
Despite building a reputation amongst enthusiasts for his YouTube videos, Ferrari banned Harris from driving its cars for a number of years.
In 2013, Harris did a review of the Ferrari 458 Spider, quipping “this car belongs to Ferrari, and I’m probably not supposed to be driving it, but I’m not going to dwell on that.”
The car, which was a Ferrari press car, was reportedly loaned to Jeremy Clarkson – who then allegedly lent it to Harris.
After several minutes of testing the 458’s oversteer abilities, Harris concluded that it was “an absurdly good car to drive.” The video got well over a million YouTube views.
Soon after, Ferrari called a truce with Chris Harris and started loaning him cars again.
American safety regulators are looking into claims Tesla has forced owners to sign non-disclosure agreements over Model S suspension issues in exchange for out-of-warranty repairs.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating reports of a defect causing Model S suspension control arms to break and the driver to lose control of the car.
One member of the Tesla Motors Club forum reported that Tesla offered to go halves on repair costs for suspension issues if they signed a ‘goodwill’ agreement.
The agreement said: “You agree to keep confidential our provision of the Goodwill, the terms of this agreement and the incidents or claims leading or related to our provision of the Goodwill. In accepting the Goodwill, you hereby release and discharge Tesla and related persons or entities from any and all claims or damages arising out of or in any way connected with any claims or incidents leading or related to our provision of the Goodwill.
“You further agree that you will not commence, participate or voluntarily aid in any action at law or in equity or any legal proceeding against Tesla or related persons or entities based upon facts related to the claims or incidents leading to or related to this Goodwill.”
A NHTSA spokesman said that the agency learned of a ‘troublesome’ non-disclosure agreement over a repair issue that could have serious safety implications.
In a statement, the NHTSA said: “The agency immediately informed Tesla that any language implying that consumers should not contact the agency regarding safety concerns is unacceptable, and NHTSA expects Tesla to eliminate any such language.”
Tesla representatives have reportedly told the agency that it was not the company’s intention to dissuade owners from contacting NHTSA.
Motoring Research has contacted Tesla Motors UK to find out if any models in Europe have been affected – and whether owners have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements similar to those used in the US.
Most new car options are not worth anything to secondhand buyers, meaning you won’t get a penny back from your up-front spend on the used car market.
There are, however, a couple of options that are worth having, says used car expert Rupert Pontin. He’s thus revealed his five must-haves if you don’t want to lose all your option outlay when you sell your car.
“Apart from these five, almost nothing that can be added to a vehicle has any real value,” he said.
“Even some options that are very expensive, such as advanced safety features and upgraded audio systems, offer little or nothing.”
His advice if you’re thinking about adding options to your new car? “Unless you really want them, don’t waste your money.”
The five optional extras worth having
1: Sat nav
Rapidly being seen as almost an essential feature on any premium car, says Pontin, and increasingly for vehicles below. If your luxury car has a basic system as standard, the optional upgraded sat-nav with bigger screen and better mapping will add value.
2: Bigger alloy wheels
Wheels have the biggest visual impact on a car after colour, says Pontin. Bigger wheels improve the forecourt appeal of every vehicle.
3: Panoramic roof
A definite plus point, reckons Pontin: it both looks more appealing and adds extra light into the cabin that boosts everyday driving.
4: Bluetooth / car integration
Systems such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are essential for younger buyers who consider controlling their smartphone while on the move a deal maker (or breaker). “The better the phone integration, the faster the sale.”
5: Air conditioning / climate control
Very few cars are sold without air con these days, says Pontin: it’s very difficult to sell cars without it. “At the upper end of the market, having climate control rather than bog-standard air con is important.”
If you’ve broken down it’s tempting to stay in your vehicle and wait for recovery to help. After all, it’s warm and comfortable in there – why would you want to stand on the roadside, particularly in bad weather?
Well, you may think again after seeing these pictures. This Citroen Xsara Picasso had broken down on the A45 dual carriageway in Solihull yesterday leaving its passengers stranded.
Fortunately, they had left the vehicle when a Ford Transit carrying logs slammed into the back of it, causing substantial damage.
The 20-year-old van driver was taken to hospital with minor injuries. We bet the passengers in the Picasso won’t consider staying in their car next time they breakdown.
Motorists charging sat navs, smartphones and iPods from their car’s 12v socket are at increased risk of battery-related breakdowns, warns Kwik-Fit.
The automotive repair firm has dubbed the problem ‘i-sapping’.
More than three in five drivers are charging devices in their car using the 12v socket, with nearly four in 10 charging sat navs and over a third topping up their smartphones.
However, because batteries have to work so much harder in the winter, this extra drain is putting motorists at risk of breakdowns and non-starting issues.
The fact more than half of drivers do not get their batteries checked during winter is not helping, says the firm.
Communications director Roger Griggs said: “Many motorists don’t realise the effect devices plugged into their cars can have on a battery.
“Sat navs, tablets and other gadgets that are designed to make our lives more comfortable can actually have the opposite effect, by cutting short the life of even a new battery and leaving us stuck with a car that won’t start.
“At Kwik Fit, we often see an increase in vehicles coming in with battery issues when the temperatures drop, normally to the surprise of the customer.”
The firm advises anyone with a battery more than five years old to get it checked – that’s “a usual turning point in a battery’s life”.
Nissan is seeking an injunction in the High Court against the EU Vote Leave campaign following persistent use of the firm’s name and logo without permission.
