According to the latest data from Auto Trader, the used car market has begun the new year on firm footing despite concerns around the economy, with cars selling at a record pace, engagement on Auto Trader accelerating to seasonal highs, and retail prices continuing to stabilise. Based on over 800,000 daily observations across the whole retail market, Auto Trader’s Retail Price Index reveals the average retail price of a used car (£16,774) was flat in January on a month-on-month (MoM) and like-for-like basis; a contrast to the -1.9% recorded in January 2024. And with trade values recently trending above retail,…

If you have a short film incorporating a car theme in some way, or you’re planning to shoot a film in the next month or so, why not enter it in the recently established International Auto Film Festa?Created in Japan in 2023, and now entering its third judging and awards season, the International Auto Film Festa is arguably the only annual film festival focused on cars and car culture.In 2024, the festival received over 470 entries from 65 countries, with Portugal’s director Mario Bock winning the Grand Prix award for his film ‘Gears & Dunes: The Old Road To Dakar.’…

Milton Keynes – The Volkswagen Polo has started 2025 with a bang, after being named the Best Car of the Half Century as part of the Best Cars of the Year – The New Car World Championships. It means the UK’s number-one motor manufacturer can celebrate back-to-back wins for this prestigious award, after the Golf received the same accolade last year. The Best Car of the Half Century title plays a significant part in the annual British Motor Show, which this year is due to take place at the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre from 15 to 17 August.…

Milton Keynes, UK, 28 January 2025 – 86% of UK van drivers have resolved to make healthier choices in 2025, prioritising better eating habits, more regular exercise and taking steps to improve their mental health, according to Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ latest study.1In 2024, the lunch of choice for on-the-go UK van drivers was homemade sandwiches, snacks and wraps (56%), followed by fast-food options (42%), shop-bought meal-deals (39%), microwaveable meals (31%), and instant noodles or pasta (26%).1However, of the 1,000 UK van drivers surveyed in the annual study, 65% intend to make healthier food choices in the coming year.1More than half…

Have you ever gone through a whole night worrying about your new job, tossing and turning while your over-worked mind broods over a million things all at once: how well will you perform in your new job or if the new colleagues will respond to you well or are you good enough for the job. It’s pretty scary stuff- walking through the double-sliding doors on your first day, and there it is- that shrinking fear clouding your mind from thinking clearly and positively. But it’s normal to feel high levels of anxiety in situations like this because 1) your about…

Charities and community groups from across the UK can apply now for funding from the Security Industry Authority’s ‘grants for good causes’ programme. The Security Industry Authority (SIA), an executive non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office, is the regulator of the UK’s private security industry. Each year, it offers a small number of grants from the money it confiscates from criminals through proceeds of crime confiscation orders. Last year, the SIA gave more than £72,000 to support seven projects, including human trafficking awareness workshops, employment and training opportunities for disadvantaged groups and training for volunteers in emergency first…

A total of 11 automotive leaders will feel the heat next month in Ben’s Industry Leader Challenge Sahara Desert Trek which is taking place from 26th February to 5th March.The following teams are tackling the Sahara challenge:Stuart James, RMIF Director; Kevin Flinn, RMIF Chair and Rob Collison, IGA Chair and Peter Whieldon, independent garage owner and photographerNeil Grant, Managing Director and Spencer Grinham, Sales Director – Hella LimitedMelanie Lowe, European Finance Director and Chris O’Rourke, Managing Director – LKQ Euro Car PartsIan Leedham, European Vice President Compliance, Legal & Public Affairs and Dave Brookfield, Vice President Human Resources Europe -…

The Guild of Motoring Writers (GOMW) and Women On the Move Against Cancer (WOMAC) awarded Paul Philpott, Kia UK’s President and CEO with its inaugural Award for Fundraising at the GOMW annual awards ceremony on 5 December 2024 at The RAC Club in London. Sponsored by Sims Images, the award recognises a member of the automotive industry or an automotive media organisation that has made a significant endeavour in fundraising for charity.During his time working at Kia, Philpott has supported a number of UK-based charities. Since 2014, Kia has supported a main charity partner every year with donations made for…

Operation Cloud has removed items to the street value of nearly £5.7 million, with one raid resulting in £1 million worth of goods seized, the biggest of its kind in the city.Earlier this month, West Midlands Police launched a pilot initiative dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Erdington. This initiative, Operation Fearless, works in partnership with the Council and others to combat burglary, theft, anti-social behaviour, and drug-related offences.Communities will see an increase in high-visibility patrols, including detectives, response officers, and neighbourhood policing teams, available 24/7 to respond to incidents and investigate crimes.As part of Operation Fearless, the…

Small Grants to Help People Get Outdoors and Experience the Natural World The Alpkit Foundation, a not-for-profit independent charity, was set up by the British outdoor retailer Alpkit in 2015. It makes small awards that support grass roots, direct action projects where a positive difference can be made to remove the barriers in getting outdoors and experience the benefits of time spent outdoors. Community groups, schools and organisations based and working within the UK can apply for grants of between £50 and £500 to support: There is particular interest in projects that encourage responsible outdoor activity, have long lasting benefits,…