New figures have shed light on the UK’s favourite car colours and, it turns out, Brits aren’t the most adventurous of motorists…

The UK’s Favourite Car Colours 

New figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have shed light on our car colour preferences; and, it turns out, Brits simply aren’t that adventurous. Nearly a quarter of all new car registrations in 2020 were grey, making it the nation’s favourite option. Some 397,197 grey cars were purchased over the course of the year, making up 24.3% of the total sold. Black, once the go-to option, lost its place to grey back in 2018 and has since sat comfortably in second place. Overall, 61.6% of all registrations last year were for grey, black or white cars; appropriate, one might argue, for an otherwise colourless 2020.

Overall, there wasn’t much movement amongst the remaining top ten car colours; barring yellow and ‘bronze’. These shifted places, putting them in 9th and 10th place respectively. Yellow actually managed to increase its market share by an impressive 50%. However, this still only equated to 6,816 registrations. Interestingly, red registrations dropped below 200,000 for the first time in a decade. With just 147,222 new cars bearing the colour, it’s its worst year since 1997. Overall, grey was the most popular option for both diesel and petrol cars. Meanwhile, white was the most favoured for EV models. Only three regions in the UK didn’t scramble for grey, too. In the Isle of Wight and in the Scottish Borders motorists opted for blue and in Strathclyde they went for white options.

‘Reflects the Atmosphere’ 

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, commented on the colour trends and the otherwise dire state of the British automotive industry. He said, “2020 was a pretty dark year for the automotive industry and having grey as the top new car colour probably reflects the atmosphere. The sector, however, continues to provide valuable mobility, from vans delivering essential goods to private cars helping key workers do their jobs, and click and collect offers a lifeline for the industry, helping to keep manufacturing going”.

He added, “it cannot, however, replace the showroom experience and the sector has taken great steps to ensure dealers are Covid-secure with the flexibility to manage customer appointments so car buyers can choose a new car and colour in a safe environment”.

Top 10 Colours in 2020

1) Grey – 397,197 registrations

2) Black – 324,630 registrations

3) White – 283,285 registrations

4) Blue – 276,057 registrations

5) Red – 147,222 registrations

6) Silver – 122,214 registrations

7) Orange – 20,584 registrations

8) Green – 14,460 registrations

9) Yellow – 6,816 registrations

10) Bronze – 4,0003 registrations

Brexit: UK Ex-Pats Could Require International Driving Permits – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/brexit-uk-ex-pats-could-require-international-driving-permits/

Speeding Tickets: Is It True That You Need To Receive Them In 14 Days? – https://www.autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/do-you-really-need-to-receive-a-speeding-ticket-in-14-days/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

New figures have revealed that traffic levels in the UK have failed to substantially drop during the third national lockdown…

Traffic Levels Fail To Substantially Drop 

Car usage in England has failed to substantially drop since the third national lockdown was introduced. Traffic volumes currently resemble those recorded in May 2020, when restrictions were being gradually relaxed and people were being told to return to work. Figures compiled by RAC Black Box Insurance has revealed that there were 10% more cars on the road in the first week of the latest lockdown than during the first week of the first; some 31% more miles were being driven, too. However, these levels are still lower than pre-pandemic levels. In fact, they’re 22% lower than those recorded at the start of February.

Overall, the quietest week for traffic since the start of lockdown restrictions was the second week of the first lockdown. Back then, there was a 41% reduction in car usage overall. Conversely, the highest levels of traffic occurred in the week starting on September 7th; largely due to children returning to school.

A Busy Start For The RAC 

The start of 2021 was the busiest New Year for the RAC on record; with 8% more breakdowns being attended to than in a typical start of the year. This is due to a combination of cold weather and cars being out of use for lengthy periods of time.

Rod Dennis, a spokesman for the RAC, has advised motorists to follow government guidelines during lockdown; largely to take pressure off of key workers in the event of a breakdown. He said, “despite the whole of the UK now under a further coronavirus lockdown, our data shows the number of cars in use has not dropped to the same extent it did the first time restrictions were brought in last March”. He added, “it’s vital drivers think carefully before using their vehicles and ensure they’re only venturing out for essential trips as specified by Government guidelines. Every unnecessary journey increases the chances of a breakdown, or worse a road traffic collision, and risks adding to the pressures being experienced by our emergency and healthcare workers”.

Tesla Almost Reached Its 500,000 Deliveries Target, Despite Pandemic – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/tesla-almost-reached-its-500000-deliveries-target-despite-pandemic/

Motorway Services: Here’s How They’re Affected By Lockdown – https://www.autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/motorway-services-heres-how-theyre-affected-by-lockdown/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

New research suggests that motorists regard the phasing out of spare tyres in the automotive industry as a step backwards…

Bring Back Spare Tyres

New research, conducted by Carbuyer, has shed light on some of the changes to cars we find the most annoying. By a considerable margin, the loss of full-sized spare tyres tops our lists. More than a thousand motorists were surveyed as a part of the research. Around 660 of them said the replacement of spare tyres with repair kits was the most irritating change; that’s two out of three. Automakers have for a number of years removed spare tyres from their models and replaced them with temporary fix solutions. They often cite the emissions caused by increased weight, but some more cynical observers put it down to cost.

James Batchelor, editor-at-large at Carbuyer, noted how unpopular the loss of spare tyres was. He said, “the absence of a full-size spare appears to be overwhelmingly unpopular with drivers, doubtless because both alternative solutions are such inconvenient temporary solutions to a flat tyre”. He added, “continuing your journey on a speed-limited wheel – or using a temporary repair kit – are deeply unpopular options for an overwhelming majority of drivers”.

Other Things That Irk Drivers

The loss of spare tyres isn’t the only modern automotive development that troubles us. The research also revealed that we’re not very fond of stop-start systems. These became widespread around 2010 and automatically shut engines off after they’ve been idle for an extended time; they came second on the list. Electronic handbrakes came in at third place. This is unfortunate, given that manual variants are said to becoming ‘extinct. Keyless entry systems and faulty sat navs came in at fourth and fifth place respectively. Finally, cabin warning sounds came in at sixth place. Batchelor mused, “modern cars bristle with innovations designed for efficiency and convenience. But our research proves the adage that you can’t please all of the people all of the time”.

It would have been interesting for Carbuyer to have broken down the age of the respondents. After all, it’d be intriguing to see whether younger drivers are as bothered by these developments; some of which, no doubt, they’ll barely have had time to notice. For older drivers, however, they’re probably saying farewell to, what are for them, staples of the driving experience.

5% off new tyres when ordering online at National Tyre: https://www.autoserveclub.co.uk/new-tyres/

Automatic Cars: Demand Has Nearly Doubled In Five Years: https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/the-demand-for-automatic-cars-has-nearly-doubled/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

New research has shed light on the days of the year you’re most likely to experience a car accident or collision in the UK…

Dangerous Days To Drive

Car accidents are, unfortunately, a fact of life. But new research by car insurance provider Admiral has revealed that some days of the year are, in the UK, much risker for motorists than others. For instance, drivers are a whopping 33% more likely to end up in a collision on January 18th than any other day. Compare this with the safest day of the year, December 25th, and you’ll find that it’s a whopping 275% more dangerous in terms of the number of car accidents that typically take place. The second most dangerous day of the year is December 5th, followed by November 30th and December 20th.

As you might expect, the top ten most dangerous days are in the winter months; when weather conditions and lighting are poorer, posing extra considerations for even experienced motorists. Excessive rain, snow and ice are pose excellent opportunities for car accidents and collisions.

Make Sure To Prepare 

Lorna Connelly, head of claims at Admiral, has stressed the importance of making car checks before driving in winter. She said, “the changing weather and road conditions commonly found during the winter months can bring some of the most difficult situations for motorists to try and navigate, and this undoubtedly plays a part on the number of accidents we see taking place on the roads at this time of year”. She added, “snow, ice, strong winds, flooding, frost, fog and heavy rain are common in January. Bad weather creates poor road conditions which can limit visibility and make the road surface slippery. So it’s incredibly important all drivers are well prepared for any trip they make in the winter months”.

In particular, drivers should ensure that their tyres have a sufficient amount of grip; in order to contend with slippery surfaces. Car batteries should be checked, as they’re most likely to fail in colder (or freezing) temperatures. Finally, it’s important to ensure that a car’s lights are working; and that windscreen wipers can successfully clear the windscreen of debris.

Brexit: UK Ex-Pats Could Require International Driving Permits – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/brexit-uk-ex-pats-could-require-international-driving-permits/

Motorway Services: Here’s How They’re Affected By Lockdown – https://www.autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/motorway-services-heres-how-theyre-affected-by-lockdown/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

The UK has officially left the European Union. As a consequence, some British ex-pats could require extra documents when driving on the continent…

Brexit and Ex-Pat Drivers 

Brexit is done and, whatever your perspective may be, motoring-related changes are inevitable. One consequence is that British ex-pats could now require additional documents in order to drive in EU-member states. Most British drivers will simply be able to use their basic photocards. But for those who intend to make lengthy stays in the EU, automatic coverage shouldn’t be assumed. According to The Times, drivers with the older paper-based driving licenses (which lack photo identification) will need an International Driving Permit (IDP). In fact, they may even need to travel to the UK itself in order to purchase one.

Because each EU-member state has different rules, ex-pat drivers across the continent will be affected in different ways. For instance, both Spain and Germany allow those with a photocard licence to drive for up to six months without an IDP. Hungary, however, allows for up to twelve months. Anyone staying longer will need an IDP regardless of whether they have photo identification or not.

Ex-Pats Should Act Quickly

The government has advised British ex-pats to secure IDPs as soon as possible. Otherwise, they may find themselves unable to drive in the country they live in. They should contact the embassy of the country they’re travelling to in order to determine which IDPs they’ll require; if a driver is travelling through multiple countries, more than one may be required. The Post Office is able to issue IDPs for as little as £5.50. That said, if you use the older paper-based driving license, you will need to present a valid passport when making a purchase. The purchase can be made by anyone, not just the driver in question, providing all the relevant documents are shown.

Unfortunately, if a driver doesn’t have anyone to pick up an IDP for them, a return to the UK may be required. In addition, if a British citizen intends to live in an EU member-state, they may need to consider driving licenses in general. Some countries simply recognise those from the UK, others may require you to take a new driving test altogether.

Tesla And MG Were The Only Automakers To Increase Sales In 2020 – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/tesla-and-mg-were-the-only-automakers-to-increase-sales-in-2020/

EV Sales Have Doubled Year-On-Year, And it’s Largely Thanks To Fleets – https://www.autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/ev-sales-have-doubled-year-on-year-and-it-s-largely-thanks-to-fleets/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

According to inside reports, Hyundai and Apple are in the early stages of negotiating a collaborative electric car effort…

An Apple and Hyundai Collaboration? 

It’s not the most obvious alliance ever pitched, but Hyundai and Apple could soon be collaborating on the production of electric vehicles. Industry reports suggest that the two companies are in early talks around the possibility of an EV partnership. As a result, Hyundai’s share price rocketed by 25%. However, the Korean automaker has downplayed the talks; instead suggesting that it was in discussion with ‘a number of partners’. Nevertheless, any arrangement between the automaker and technology giant would, allegedly, concern both EVs and their batteries.

In December last year, it was reported that Apple was pressing ahead with a self-driving car project. Furthermore, it also intends to release an EV passenger car sometime in 2024, which will boast “breakthrough” battery technology. In an official statement, a spokesperson for Hyundai said, “Apple and Hyundai are in discussions but they are at an early stage and nothing has been decided”. Apple itself has yet to release a statement on the potential collaboration.

Can’t Go It Alone 

Apple’s capital and resources are, as you might expect, enormous. So it might seem surprising that it’d seek the assistance of a car manufacturer when considering its own projects. But, if recent years have been any indication, making it in the car industry is anything but easy. Last year, Dyson intended to produce a premium EV in Singapore. But, before the first images of the vehicle were released, the project was terminated after being deemed financially unfeasible. Tesla, which is a rare success story, struggled for years to generate a profit and is still working with Panasonic as regards to battery supply.

Jeong Yun-Woo, a professor at a South Korea university (and incidentally a former designer at Hyundai), had mixed feelings about a partnership between Hyundai and Apple. She said, “Apple outsourcing car production to Hyundai makes sense, because it is known for quality. But I’m not sure whether it is a good strategy for automakers who face risks of losing control to tech firms”. Meanwhile, insiders have told the BBC that an EV from apple is ‘at least’ five years away.

Tesla And MG Were The Only Automakers To Increase Sales In 2020 – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/tesla-and-mg-were-the-only-automakers-to-increase-sales-in-2020/

EV Sales Have Doubled Year-On-Year, And it’s Largely Thanks To Fleets – https://www.autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/ev-sales-have-doubled-year-on-year-and-it-s-largely-thanks-to-fleets/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged new-car registrations all over the world. But two automakers managed to buck the trend in 2020…

Bucking the Trend 

Last year, in the UK, there were 680,076 fewer new car registrations than in 2019. This is, as you might expect, largely attributable to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, two automakers managed to buck the trend – MG and Tesla.

The former managed to increase  its sales by an impressive 40.84%, increasing them to 18,415 from 13,075 in 2019. Tesla’s sales are a little less clear, as the company doesn’t typically release national sales figures. Nevertheless, the SMMT registered 26,086 ‘other imports’ in its own registration data. That’s up from just 14,635 in 2019, representing an increase of 78.24%. For Tesla, 2019 wasn’t exactly a bad year in of itself. The company managed to shift 22,344 Model 3s. The Model 3 was the UK’s best-selling EV in December 2019 and the 14th best-selling car for the year in general.

But what’s behind the success of MG and Tesla? For MG, it’s almost certainly due to a combination of its rapidly growing model-range and the company’s emphasis on affordable EVs. They’ve put the company in a strong position to exploit the rapidly growing EV segment in the country. For Tesla, the increase in sales was probably helped by its long established digital sales model; meaning no significant changes were required to offer click-and-collect delivery options.

 Tough Times Elsewhere

Whilst Tesla and MG managed to buck the trend, most automakers suffered dramatically reduced sales as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Closed dealerships, reduced consumer confidence and Brexit uncertainty all worked to keep people out of new vehicles. In the UK, the worst-hit was Subaru which saw its sales fall by a catastrophic 68.27%. For perspective, that means it managed to sell just 951 cars in 2020. Elsewhere, Citroen’s sales declined by 44.7% and Ford’s fell by 35.3%. Similar reductions were recorded for other automakers, too, including Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Mazda.

Interestingly enough, one automaker that also managed to perform well in 2020 was Bentley. It, somehow, managed to transform 2020 into its best ever year for global sales. It sold 11,206 cars internationally last year, a 2% increase on 2019. Nevertheless, closer to home in the UK, sales fell by 16.1% as the luxury segment contracted.

UK Car Firms Have Three Years To Source EV Batteries – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/uk-car-firms-have-three-years-to-source-ev-batteries/

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With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

Car manufacturers in the UK have three years to source ‘local’ batteries for electric cars in order to avoid eye-watering tariffs…

Three Years To Source ‘Local’ Batteries 

British car manufacturers have just three years to source ‘locally’ produced electric car batteries. Westminster’s deal with Brussels means that batteries that contain less than 50% local materials will face significant tariffs. The deal, which was finalised on Christmas Eve, means that all British-EU trade that concerns cars and automotive components will be free of tariffs; providing they possess content from British or European factories. EV batteries will, at first, be allowed to possess up to 70% content derived from outside of the UK and EU. This will be reduced to 50% from January 1st, 2024.

As a consequence of this, the UK’s car industry’s only plausible option is to secure a local supply of EV batteries; that’s according to Alessandro Marongiu, an analyst for the lobby group Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Significant Investment Needed 

The problem with sourcing ‘local’ batteries for EVs is that, for the most part, there aren’t any. At least not yet. Most batteries are assembled in East Asian markets or America, with European countries lagging significantly behind. Mike Hawes, the SMMT’s chief executive, said it’s “imperative that the UK secures at pace investment in battery gigafactories and electrified supply chains”.

Ian Henry, speaking on behalf of AutoAnalysis, has stressed that the UK needs a thorough supply-chain; one that’s capable of producing all of the complex components and chemicals required. He said, “by the mid-2020s, the UK has got to be doing a lot more than just assembling bits from a kit. Several core processes in battery manufacturing will have to take place here in order for the UK to have a viable electric vehicle industry”.

Whilst some European countries, such as Sweden and France, are investing in EV battery manufacturing, the UK is lagging precariously behind. However, the government has pledged to invest in the creation of specialist ‘gigafactories’ in the future. Should it fail, the Faraday Institution believes that the British economy will lose out on 100,000 new jobs by 2040 alone. As of now, there’s just one company in the UK with plans to construct a gigafactory. Britishvolt has bought the rights to a site in Blyth, Northumberland and aims to produce at scale by as early as 2023.

Tesla Almost Reached Its 500,000 Deliveries Target, Despite Pandemic – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/tesla-almost-reached-its-500000-deliveries-target-despite-pandemic/

Brexit: Supply Of Cars and Vans Could Be Disrupted – https://www.autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/brexit-supply-of-cars-and-vans-could-be-disrupted/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

Tesla almost reached its target of delivering 500,000 vehicles in 2020, despite the effects of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic…

So Close 

Tesla managed to deliver 499,550 of its electric cars in 2020, just 450 short of its 500,000 target. Overall, it manufactured 509,737 throughout the year. This represents a substantial improvement over the company’s figures in 2019. In that year, it delivered just 367,500 vehicles – itself a 50% increase on 2018’s numbers. Back in January, the company said that it would “comfortably exceed” the 500,000 target. However, this was before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. This closed businesses all over the world, including car manufacturers; something that controversial CEO Elon Musk railed against in California.

Musk himself is now the second wealthiest person on the planet, largely thanks to a 700% share price rise in Tesla stock in 2020. He Tweeted that he’s “so proud of the Tesla team” and that, “optimistically” he thought the company had just a 10% chance of survival back in 2010. Whilst Tesla’s figures are impressive, it’s important to put things into perspective. Some 500,000 vehicle deliveries is actually quite modest within the industry. For example, Volkswagen delivered 11 million vehicles in 2020. Subaru, a small manufacturer by anyone’s standards, managed 800,000 in 2019.

Looking To The Future 

Despite all the challenges coronavirus has posed, especially for automakers, Tesla appears to be in a good position. Its share price has ballooned (absurdly, according to critics and even Musk himself) and it’s now selling more cars than ever before. Moreover, its pool of manufacturing facilities (or ‘gigafactories’) is increasing, with a factory having been assembled in China and others being under construction in both Texas and Germany. With governments all over the world looking to ban the sale of ICE vehicles, the growth potential of electric cars is arguably still untapped.

However, a variety of legacy automakers are now investing billions in electric cars and the electrification of the their models. What was once a niche segment is now growing rapidly. This means Tesla won’t be the electric car manufacturer for much longer. Affordable EVs, with impressive ranges, will soon be an everyday feature of our roads – and many of them will have familiar logos. Whether Tesla will be able to compete once its competitors catch up remains to be seen. Either way, it still possesses a passionate and loyal following and a healthy technological lead over many rivals. Time will tell how significant these will be.

Only 5% Of Mechanics Are Qualified To Work On Electric Cars – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/only-5-of-mechanics-are-qualified-to-work-on-electric-cars/

ICE Ban: A Third Of Fleets Lack Confidence In 2030 Deadline – https://www.autoservefleet.co.uk/latest-news/ice-ban-a-third-of-fleets-lack-confidence-in-2030-deadline/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.

The demand for automatic cars has nearly doubled, according to research. And Londoners are the most enthusiastic…

Want an Automatic Car?

A significant amount of used car buyers are now considering automatic models. That’s according to new figures compiled by AA Cars. Searches for automatics on its website have increased from 9.9% in 2014 to 18.6% today. An AA Populus survey of 20,000 drivers also discovered that half of them felt automatics were easier to drive; just 9% felt that they were harder. Fortunately for these budding automatic drivers, supply is meeting demand. Since 2014, the number of automatic cars being put up for sale has increased from 23.4% of the total to 32.1%. In addition, figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the number of automatic cars registered each year has jumped from 20% to 40% between 2007 and 2017.

Regional Discrepancies 

The interest in automatic car models doesn’t seem to be a general trend; instead, it’s concentrated in particular areas. For instance, London (53.6% of searches) and Chelmsford (61.4% of searches) stand out as the biggest sources of demand for automatics. James Fairclough, CEO of AA Cars, welcomed the rise in demand. He said, “automatic vehicles are being manufactured in greater numbers, but it is pleasing to see that drivers are responding positively to this added supply with even more of them actively searching for these cars”. He stressed the advantages they have in cites and congested areas, “it is also no surprise to see that congested London is one of the best-stocked areas for automatic cars as they require much less effort to drive when someone is stuck in stop-start traffic”.

With increasing traffic and congestion, especially in the country’s larger cities, it’s no surprise that automatics are gaining popularity. Traditionally, British motorists have expressed little enthusiasm; unlike America, where they’re basically the default for private vehicles. Generally speaking, they are easier to use and require less input from the driver. Manuals, whilst offering more control and input, can be tiring in thick traffic that constantly starts and stops. For a Londoner, then, it makes perfect sense to dispense with manual models. It’ll be interesting to see if the interest continues to increase or whether it’ll plateau. Who knows, the demand may even seep out into the broader market; not simply being concentrated in urban centres.

Uber Has Given Up On Its Self-Driving Car Project – https://autoserve.co.uk/motoring-news/uber-has-given-up-on-its-self-driving-car-project/

Thousands Of Brits Can’t Distinguish Between Cars And Vans – https://www.autoserveclub.co.uk/blog/thousands-of-brits-cant-distinguish-between-cars-and-vans/

With over 16,000 approved garages, a 24/7 support service and a host of cost-saving offers, Autoserve can keep your car moving smoothly. For any further questions please call Autoserve on 0121 521 3500.