Classic Car Mart July 2021

Welcome… PECKING ORDER We had to stop and laugh recently when a discussion about replacing company lease cars saw us seriously considering electric Hyundai and Kia SUVs rather than the usual German-made suspects. As you can imagine, for people writing about cars for a living this represents a big change indeed. Nevertheless, it was a reminder of the speed with which the automotive landscape is changing. As you can read in this month’s news pages, the very future of some of our best-loved brands is looking bleak as the world order changes; two of my personal favourites, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo look set for troubled times as they try to reinvent themselves, although cynics would point out that it’s by no means the first time for either marque. And as…

We had to stop and laugh recently when a discussion about replacing company lease cars saw us seriously considering electric Hyundai and Kia SUVs rather than the usual German-made suspects. As you can imagine, for people writing about cars for a living this represents a big change indeed. Nevertheless, it was a reminder of the speed with which the automotive landscape is changing. As you can read in this month’s news pages, the very future of some of our best-loved brands is looking bleak as the world order changes; two of my personal favourites, Jaguar and Alfa Romeo look set for troubled times as they try to reinvent themselves, although cynics would point out that it’s by no means the first time for either marque. And as the world of new cars…

When it comes to their futures, car manufacturers have never faced more challenges. As well as the UK government’s plan to halt the sale of conventional new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2030, there’s the transition to electrification, a global pandemic, trade barriers, a semiconductor shortage, upstart rival companies and changing consumer habits all to contend with. Change is inevitable, but what does that mean for some of our most iconic traditional brands in terms of making – or breaking – them? The fate of Jaguar looks to be particularly worrying. In February it boldly announced that all its vehicles would be electric by 2025 as part of its ‘Reimagine’ plan, but also dropped plans to build an electric version of its XJ saloon. There’s a lot to do…

PLUGS&LEADS CLASSIC MARQUES SET FOR SHAKE-UP When it comes to their futures, car manufacturers have never faced more challenges. As well as the UK government’s plan to halt the sale of conventional new diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2030, there’s the transition to electrification, a global pandemic, trade barriers, a semiconductor shortage, upstart rival companies and changing consumer habits all to contend with. Change is inevitable, but what does that mean for some of our most iconic traditional brands in terms of making – or breaking – them? The fate of Jaguar looks to be particularly worrying. In February it boldly announced that all its vehicles would be electric by 2025 as part of its ‘Reimagine’ plan, but also dropped plans to build an electric version of its…

CRACKDOWN ON MOT FRAUD The public are being urged by government to help protect people from unsafe vehicles by reporting instances of MoT fraud. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published new guidance on dealing with dodgy testers and garages after hundreds were banned within the last year. Over the past year the DVSA has investigated 2057 fraud reports in England, Scotland and Wales, which resulted 156 garages and 335 testers being stopped from testing. Examples of breaking the law include giving an MoT certificate to a vehicle they know should have failed, passing a vehicle they have not tested and taking a bribe to issue a certificate. MoT testers or centres can be reported to the DVSA without giving your name or details, but you will need…

The public are being urged by government to help protect people from unsafe vehicles by reporting instances of MoT fraud. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published new guidance on dealing with dodgy testers and garages after hundreds were banned within the last year. Over the past year the DVSA has investigated 2057 fraud reports in England, Scotland and Wales, which resulted 156 garages and 335 testers being stopped from testing. Examples of breaking the law include giving an MoT certificate to a vehicle they know should have failed, passing a vehicle they have not tested and taking a bribe to issue a certificate. MoT testers or centres can be reported to the DVSA without giving your name or details, but you will need to give as much information as…