Jameel Motors Farizon Auto has welcomed the first delivery of Farizon SV vans to the UK. Arriving in Felixstowe, Suffolk, the first batch of vans encompassed two of the eight variants that will be available in the UK initially with further deliveries following. The UK introduction of Farizon – a wholly-owned subsidiary of Geely Holding Group, China’s largest private vehicle manufacturer – is on schedule, with the start of sales on track for Q1 2025 and first customer deliveries slated for Q2 2025. The eight panel van variants on offer to UK customers will range from L1 H1 (4,990 mm…

XPENG, a Chinese-born global-orientated high-tech automotive company, announces its official entry to the UK and kicks off the pre-sale of its first right-hand drive model. The ultra-smart all-electric mid-size coupe SUV, XPENG G6, marks a new milestone in one of the world’s biggest automotive and EV markets. UK a key milestone in XPENG’s global journey “Our launch in the UK, in partnership with International Motors Ltd (IML), marks a significant step in XPENG’s European and global expansion,” said Dr. Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President of XPENG. “We are excited to bring a new era of smarter, more sustainable mobility…

EasyPark Group, a leading provider of digital parking and mobility solutions, completes its strategic acquisition of Parkopedia, a global leader in connected car services and mobility data aggregation. Together, this acquisition creates a seamless, end-to-end driver experience, built on highly accurate and complete data, and unparalleled global payment capabilities. “With the addition of Parkopedia, we are making the driver journey more seamless,” said Cameron Clayton, CEO of EasyPark Group. “Parkopedia’s in-car data integration and payment technology, coupled with our digital parking solutions and on-street parking equipment, allows us to address the entire driver experience, and we are excited to share…

Bentley Motors has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch. The new facility, opened today by Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Management at Volkswagen AG, and Bentley’s Board of Management, will be pivotal to the brand’s preparations for the first Bentley BEV. The world’s first Urban Luxury SUV will be launched next year and today’s opening sets a key milestone in transforming the 85-year old site for a new age of electrification. Bentley’s industry-leading Beyond100+ strategy will see the company reinvent its entire product range to support an electrified future. The company’s new digital,…

The UK’s used car market grew by 5.5% to 7,643,180 transactions in 2024, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Marking eight quarters of continuous growth, the year saw 400,488 more vehicles change hands than in 2023, with growth in the new car market fuelling availability and wider choice within the used sector.1 Transactions rose in every month in 2024, as they did in 2023, with Q4 up 4.0% to 1,746,051 units. The top three popular body types remained the same for another year, with superminis taking the top spot,…

Balsall Common – Young Driver, the UK’s foremost under-17s driver-training company, has just taken delivery of its first Suzuki Swifts as part of a 170-car deal with Suzuki UK that will see children given more than 150,000 lessons a year in the new model. After 15 years and nearly 1.5 million lessons, Young Driver has been responsible for dramatically reducing accident rates among its alumni, with only 3.3% of former students being involved in accidents in the first six months after passing their driving test*, versus the national average of 20%**. The company, led by motor industry stalwart Ian Mulingani,…

MILLIONS of vehicles could soon fail their MOT due to unresolved safety recalls – overwhelming workshops and leaving frustrated customers scrambling for repairs. That’s the warning from data experts ADS, who say that cars may soon be failed if a recall has been missed. ADS points out that the most recent figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency suggest that abrupt implementation of a new MOT failure or advisory rule relating to outstanding recalls would see dealers overwhelmed with workshop demand – and countless customers off the road. More than five million cars are potentially affected because franchise dealers…

Volkswagen Group UK Managing Director, Damien O’Sullivan, has become a Patron of the Automotive 30% Club, demonstrating the Group’s ongoing commitment to gender balance and its holistic DE&I agenda. O’Sullivan took over in December from Alex Smith, who was the first Patron and Gold member of the Club. The UK’s Automotive 30% Club is a network of over 70 automotive MDs and CEOs who have made a commitment to be inclusive leaders and build diverse gender-balanced businesses. Volkswagen Group UK has long been a part of the network, and is proud of its current achievements in the field of DE&I.…

Following the successful launch of the new MINI family, a range of additions and optional extras are set to further enhance the MINI offering from Spring 2025. Increasing personalisation across the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Countryman, customers now have a wider choice of exterior colours and trim combinations, alongside new digital features and improved practicality. Improved exterior colour range Giving customers increased options to personalise their new MINI, an improved selection of optional exterior paint colours are now available on petrol powered MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Countryman models, regardless of customer choice between Classic,…

Kia is marking National Apprenticeship Week’s ‘Celebration Friday’ with inspiring apprentice stories and showcasing the talent, success, and accomplishments possible with a Kia Apprenticeship. The Kia Academy Kia opened the doors of its brand-new training centre, the Kia Academy, just over one year ago to usher in a new generation of apprenticeships through its partnership with Skillnet, the UK’s largest provider of apprenticeships to the automotive industry. Kia has developed a bespoke apprenticeship programme with a focus on education in electrification, including apprenticeships for Light Vehicle Technician, Service Advisor and Combined Service and Parts Advisor. Kia Apprenticeships Kia Apprenticeships begin…