Snow chains

Snow chains are compulsory for vehicles on most Alpine roads, however with the current UK weather conditions, many drivers may also be considering fitting them to get around, even on minor roads.

When fitting snow chains to your car you should always fit them to the driving wheels only and for 4×4 vehicles, usually the front wheels. They are hard to fit on slopes and it is best to fit them at designated chain fitting bays. It is also important to buy snow chains that comply with European legislation and from a reputable supplier.

Try www.top-gear.net/ who offer a wide range of products and advice on driving on snow, as a starting point.

Please note Comparecontracthire.com is not responsible for any external sites and you must ensure you check all arrangements (monetary) directly with any external supplier.

Ford price rise

Ford has announced it is increasing its prices on all orders received after the 30th November 2009. The price rise which is on average about 2.7 per cent is due to the weakness of the £.

Since 2007 the £ has devalued by around 30 per cent and although Ford has taken actions to reduce their costs this price increase was inevitable according to Nigel Sharp, Ford of Great Britain managing director.

He said, “To combat the continuning weakness of the £ against the Euro, Ford has reduced costs across its entire UK business, including personnel reductions in its central operation and across its dealer network. However price increases are still required to maintain a viable business and to recover relative costs increases caused by the weakness of the £ over an extended period”. 

This will add about £250-£500 on the most popular Ford models like Ka, Fiesta,Focus,C-MAX,Kuga and Mondeo.

Spyker

Spyker Cars N.V., the manufacturer of exclusive premium sports cars, has announced that it is relocating its vehicle assembly to its supplier, CPP (Manufacturing) Ltd, UK, to achieve considerable improvements in efficiencies. Some jobs in the Netherlands will be affected.

Brendan O’ Toole, managing director of CPP ( Manufacturing) Ltd said,”We have worked closely with Spyker since 2000 when we built their very first prototype chassis, and have grown with Spyker to become one of the leading low-volume manufacturers in the industry.We will maintain the highest standards of quality in the assembly of Spyker vehicles,while at the same time achieving significant cost reductions and operational efficiencies for Spyker”.

Apprentices at Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz UK has announced a record total of 575 apprentices on a three-year block release programme in order to continue creating a highly skilled workforce for the future.

Wilfried Steffen, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz UK said,”Professional and motivated people are key to our plans for the future. Our investment in these schemes is an essential part of our plans, even in such challenging times for our business and the motor industry as a whole”.

THINK! is the road safety campaign that has been launched by the Department for Transport. The campaign is urging parents to make sure their children follow the “Be Bright, Be Seen” advice this winter, especially as the clocks go back tonight.

In 2008, 712 children aged six to 11 were killed or seriously injured while walking in Great Britain and 155 children of the same age were killed or injured while cycling.

Road Safety Minister, Paul Clark said, “Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world and we have reduced the number of children killed while walking or cycling by 54% since the mid-1990s. However, more than 850 child pedestrians and cyclists were killed or seriously injured on our roads and we are determined to do more to keep children as safe as possible”.

An advertising campaign will start shortly in cinemas and on TV and the advice for parents from the THINK! campaign is below, as well as a link to the DfT video on further road safety tips.

Be Bright, Be Seen – Road Safety Advice

• Brightly coloured or fluorescent clothing show up well in daylight and at dusk
  
• If you’re out by the roads when it’s dark, wear reflective gear to make sure you can be seen in car headlights. Reflective vests, sashes or wrist bands work well. Remember, fluorescent clothing doesn’t work after dark.
  
• Clip on reflectors, arm bands and stickers on your outfit or school bag will improve your visibility.
  
• It is the law to have clean and working lights on your bike – red at the back and white at the front – you must also fit your bike with red rear reflectors.   Fitting spoke reflectors will also help you to be seen in the dark.
  
• ‘Being Bright’ isn’t the only way to be safer. If you’re out at night, choose routes and crossing places that are well lit and remember to always use the Green Cross Code – Find the safest place to cross, Stop, Look and Listen.

The ‘Tales of the Road’ website can be found at http://direct.gov.uk/talesoftheroad.  

It has interactive games for children as well as educational material for teachers and parents

The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) has reported that the pace of decline in UK vehicle production figures has slowed to its lowest level in 12 months. The Scrappage Incentive Scheme has boosted production for the home market with almost one in four vehicles built, staying in the UK. However commercial vehicle production is still suffering from a lack of demand due to low business confidence.

Paul Evertitt, chief executive of the SMMT said,”The rate of decline in new car production slowed to its lowest level in a year with the volumes of vehicles being produced for the UK market comparatively high. Demand is clearly being underpinned by the scrappage incentive scheme and the extension to the scheme will ensure that demand continues into 2010″. 

Vehicle Production figures courtesy of the SMMT

The UK driving test is in the process of being overhauled and improved with a case study question being added to the theory test. There will also be a new 10-minute section of independent driving, starting from from the 4th October 2010.

Which? Car asked five drivers to re-sit the current test and guess what – three of them failed. The most common errors were not checking blind spots when moving away and not using their mirrors consistently enough. 

Richard Headland, editor Which? Car said,”As the driving test is getting tougher, it’s a good time to reassess your skills-or lack of them. We recommend that even experienced drivers take refresher or advanced driver courses over the years, which not only improve driving, but may also lower insurance premiums”.

MINI E

The MINI E research project is now well underway with MINI requesting applications online, for ”test driver customers” to be the first to car lease one of the twenty electric car prototypes. 

The online application form is at www.electricMINI.co.uk

You will be able to lease a MINI E for six months from December this year and then a second round of invitations will be invited in 2010, for a further twenty drivers.

The monthly car lease rental being quoted for a six month period is £330 per month including VAT, insurance and full maintenance (terms and conditions apply).

You will also have to pay for the electricity to charge the car, which during off peak hours costs about £1.50 to fully recharge the battery. Even during the higher daytime rate, the cost should be less than £4.00.

All applicants must reside in South East England within a triangular geographical area joining Andover. MINI has said that with only twenty available they will go quickly, so if you are interested in taking part in the trial you had better apply soon.

*Post codes for MINI E UK Research Project participants:

New Sports Tourer

Renault has just launched a new Megane Sports Tourer with deliveries starting in November. The 21 model range is the latest car to appear in Renault’s UK showrooms and comes with new engine and transmission additions.

The four new additions are a 1.4 TCe (Turbo Control Efficiency) 130, 2.0 CVT 140 (Continuously Variable Transmission), 2.0 dCi 160 FAP and 2.0 TCe 180. Models are available in Expression, Dynamique,TomTom Edition and Privilege trims. The entry level model (Expression 1.6 100) has radio CD, air conditioning, front and rear curtain airbags, ESP, folding passenger seat, front and rear electric windows, keyless car with Renault car plus longtitudinal chrome roof bars as standard. Renault car leasing prices should be on the site soon.

SEAT free fluid check

SEAT UK is offering all of its 275,000 UK owners a free fluids and safety check at any of the Spanish brand’s 100-plus dealerships nationwide. You do not need to book in advance and the check on your car only takes a few minutes. SEAT will check your oil, coolant levels as well as brake fluid and washer bottle and if necessary, offer a chargeable top up service.

This follows a recent survey where SEAT found that many drivers don’t bother to check fluid levels on a regular basis. SEAT UK’s Head of Aftersales, Nigel Griggs, explained: ” While the recent survey sample was minute and the results therefore questionable (around 50 SEAT drivers were questioned) it is clearly worth reminding SEAT owners that their vehicles automatically qualify for this free check.