Tag Archives: Motor insurance

New Honda NSX Looks Innovative

Posted on by
Reply

We bring you some exciting news today! That is the news that a new Honda NSX is to be built. The original NSX was a thrill ride that cornered tremendously and went like stink, yet it only had 270bhp; staggering really when you think that it was the best Japanese supercar for a number of years. Now, of course, one has to consider the Nissan GT-R as the King of Japanese supercars…but for how long?

Old Meets New

The new NSX will likely be fitted with a fantastically high revving V6 once again which gets the thumbs up from us here! Furthermore, it will be a very clever hybrid in a bid by Honda to mate classic V6 reliability and performance with new technological ingenious. The fact that it will be a hybrid will also help reduce motor insurance for those looking to buy one. The NSX will include two small electric motors at the front in order to control independent drive in each wheel whilst also enabling the driver to tighten, or indeed loosen, the cornering line the car will take.

There will also be an electric motor embedded within the gearbox in order to enhance the power from the brilliant V6. It seems that Honda are approaching the new NSX with the very same attitude that they approached the first; handling and performance favoured over raw power. This is likely to be a lap time conqueror!

New Tech Will Benefit Overall Package

Honda’s boss, Takanobu Ito, has been commenting on the clever hybrid system, saying: “The NSX will enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.” So basically, the hybrid qualities will add to the overall brilliance of the car, as the new technology will work hand-in-hand with some traditional engineering. This isn’t going to be a traditional hybrid however by any stretch of the imagination.

The NSX will also be very fuel efficient as the car will use a type of kinetic energy recovery system as it will reclaim braking energy, and thus save on fuel usage. The weight distribution will, naturally, be very good also with the engine and battery pack being mid-mounted and the overall weight of the new NSX is promised to be low, much like the original aluminium model.

Do you think the new NSX will better than the original? And more interestingly, will it knock the Nissan GT-R off its perch?

Survey Reveals We Do Not Understand Our Cars

Posted on by
1

Whilst searching around the daily motoring news and views I came across the news that motorists are increasingly unaware of what all the lights and information on their dashboards actually meant.

It is in some ways quite amusing, but mostly it is not surprising at all!

Cars Increasingly More Complex

Cars are becoming increasingly more complicated both under the bonnet and inside too. A number of weeks ago I was riding in the passenger seat of a new Honda Insight, and I have to say, I had absolutely no idea what the futuristic dashboard was telling me without reading the manual. Which to be honest, most people don’t.

Including my very own mother who has owned her Vauxhall Corsa for three years and only last week found out that the windows can be controlled from outside the car by holding down the buttons on the key fob to make the windows go up or down, depending on whether you are opening or locking the car, and she only found out because we were at a Vauxhall dealer looking at newer models and the salesman explained it was a feature that had been around for a while now!

Study Reveals Shocking Stats

Furthermore, a recent survey that was carried out revealed that we spend around 360 hours in our cars every year and yet nearly half of us could not name some of the basic warning lights. It would seem that men are slightly more knowledgeable than women in this area with around 39% of men being able to identify where the main beam hazard was compared to just 28% of women.

The figure that concerns me is that only 12% of women and 7% of men could point out the handbrake warning light. That is worryingly low, and the handbrake warning light, you would have thought, is quite an important thing to be aware of.

Costly Damage

By not knowing the simple warning lights, someone could potentially be driving around unaware that there is a fault with their vehicle, which could increase the likelihood of a driver having an accident, which could in turn lead to them having to pay out on an excess on a motor insurance claim if the accident is proven to be their fault. In addition, by driving around with a fault it is also likely that the issue with the car could develop and thus end up costing owners thousands of pounds more to have the problem repaired.

The moral of the story here is quite obvious: we should all take time to read our car manuals and familiarise ourselves with all aspects of the car before setting out on our first drive in a newly purchased car. Whilst some people may indeed not be too interested in the particular features of a car, it is still very important to know what all the lights on the dashboard mean!

A Positive Year for Motoring

Posted on by
Reply

It has been claimed that 2011 was a very significant year for British motoring, and if you have read our previous blog posts about sales increasing for the likes of Bentley and the fact that car production has been rising, then you too will hopefully agree!

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have again been discussing the state of the UK motor industry.

Impact on the British Economy

The Chief Executive of the SMMT, Paul Everitt, has been speaking about the plans that have been announced by global vehicle manufacturers to invest a whopping £4 billion into Britain’s economy. Now of course this money isn’t in order to bail us out of the financial crisis.

It is instead to be spent on a whole variety of different projects. Such projects will range from the introduction of all-new vehicles to the development of sustainable and low carbon technology; something that will therefore be beneficial to the economy and the environment simultaneously.

Mr Everitt has been quoted saying the following: “Despite the uncertainty within the Eurozone, these decisions demonstrate real confidence in the future of UK manufacturing and its role within a rebalanced economy.” Mr Everitt also seems to get more vocal space on our MotorMouthBlog than he does elsewhere!

Positive Prospects

It is apparent that much of the investment has come from international sources which suggest that the country’s future prospects could also look to be improving. The influx of money will also surely lead to more and more jobs being created which in turn would hopefully lead to the reduction of unemployment. In addition, hopefully the public will then begin investing further in new cars over the next twelve months, whilst also then requiring more people to purchase motor insurance. Further positives for the economy, and the country in general there then!

The news about the £4 billion influx has come after individuals and organisations have been invited to put themselves forward for this year’s Transport Achievement Award. The award ceremony will be announced at the International Transport Forum’s summit in Germany.

Let’s hope 2012 will see things improve further for the UK motor industry and the economy as well.

Fewer Cars on the UK Roads

Posted on by
Reply

It seems that the number of cars on our roads has been declining in recent years. So, what could this be attributed to? The high cost of motoring? More and more people becoming aware of the impact of global warming? Or, should we not be reading into these statistics quite so deeply anyway?

Statistics

The Department for Transport (DfT) has revealed that the volume of motor vehicle traffic in Great Britain has fallen for a third successive year. In 2010 the total motor vehicle traffic on Britain’s roads amounted to 308.1 billion miles, a 1.6% decline on 2009’s figure. That fall followed the 1% drop between 2008 and 2009, and the 0.8% decrease between 2007 and 2008.

Reactions

There have now been various articles written on the subject with various viewpoints flying around. For example, the Association of British Drivers has accused the Coalition Government of continuing with the “War on the Motorist”.

Furthermore, the figures were accompanied by more calls to reduce the level of fuel duty. In 2010/11 about £27.3 billion was raised through fuel tax. That’s a huge amount of money, yes; however the government is still, seemingly, struggling to raise cash as the global economy plunges deeper into financial meltdown. Well, perhaps not meltdown, but finances are indeed tight.

Meanwhile, Luke Bosdet, a spokesman for the AA, has been commenting: “People are being priced off the roads, and it is those on low incomes and those in rural areas who are worst affected. There is a real danger that motoring is being wound back to the 1960s and 70s, when it was by and large the preserve of the middle classes.”

Flip Side

The DfT’s National Transport Model tells a different story however. It suggests that the reduction in motor traffic seen in the last three years is a mere blip when compared to the overall picture. The DfT has predicted that between 2003 and 2043, we are to see a 43% rise in motor traffic. This would in turn lead to larger numbers of motor insurance quotes being taken out. A 43% rise will also mean one thing else – we will need more roads!

A 43% rise in motor traffic would be alarming and would cause huge amounts of congestion. Imagine a 43% increase in the amount of vehicles on the roads on your way to work every morning. It would take nearly twice as long to get anywhere! If this prediction begins to paint itself in real terms, something is definitely going to need to be done to increase traffic networks.

A 43% rise in motor traffic could, however, be potentially great news for the motor industry, but only if people were buying new cars of course, rather than second hand cars.

Whatever happens in coming years, it might just be a tad premature to begin blaming the decrease in motor traffic on the cost of motoring, whilst motoring is indeed very expensive these days, it does not necessarily mean we are regressing to the 1960s and 70s as aforementioned. For example, more and more people are cycling to and from work due to environmental concerns, and so that has undoubtedly contributed to the reduction in the number of cars on our roads also.

Safety Advice for Motorists

Posted on by
Reply

I’m sure you will have seen or read somewhere recently about the bad weather that is seemingly already here. The UK, over the past days and weeks, has experienced showers of snow, especially in areas of the country that are further north.

Motoring organisations have now issued advice on driving in tricky weather conditions. Peter Rodger, the Chief Examiner of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), has been quoted saying: “Avoid travelling unless completely necessary, and don’t ignore police warnings or advice to not travel on specific routes. Can you work remotely, or change your schedule?” For many this would be, understandably, a little impossible however.

Concern for Motorists

It seems that there are concerns for motorists getting stuck on the roads, or even worse, endangering themselves and others in icy conditions. Black ice, in particular, can be rather troublesome as it is difficult to notice against the tarmac roads. Motorists would be wise to take their time when driving around side roads and off the beaten track.

Further advice that has been given on driving safely in the difficult conditions includes making sure all your windows are clear and that you have good all-around visibility. It will also be important to take time to ensure that you clear all the snow off your roof, if it does indeed snow!

Motoring organisations have also stated that it would be a good idea to keep your car in a higher gear than normal as this will help maintain better control and it may also be an idea to move off in a higher gear rather than using first. Whilst this may harm the clutch ever so slightly, it will do less damage than wheel spinning on the spot without be able to move off in first gear! In icy conditions it can be easy to spin the wheels in first gear when moving off, so second gear may be a better bet if the roads are very icy.

Be Prepared

If the worst does happen, it has been suggested that motorists should take all the necessary steps in order to deal with the situation as best they can. For example, it will be important to keep track of where you are so that you can tell the breakdown or emergency services where you are located; a fairly obvious point. It could also be beneficial to step out of your vehicle in case someone else loses control and accidently crashes into your vehicle. If this were to happen, you would then need to contact your motor insurance company in order to make a claim.

Driving around in tricky weather conditions can be hazardous, but not if you go about it the correct way. Sometimes just a little preparation and common sense can be incredibly beneficial!

Positive News for the Motor Industry

Posted on by
Reply

In our article earlier this week discussing Bentley’s increasing sales in 2011, we touched upon the fact that sales in the motor industry have, on the whole, since November 2010, declined by 4.2%, yet they are actually higher than forecasts suggested they might have been.

Rising Production

Since that blog post further information has been released and reported by the BBC. They have reported that in November, car production rose for the sixth straight month according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Last month, there were 136,111 cars produced, which is 8.5% higher than the same time last year. This certainly represents some fantastic progress. Furthermore, it has been reported that engine production rose by 1.7% in November.

The Chief Executive of SMMT, Paul Everitt, has been quoted saying: “UK vehicle and engine production continues to lead a manufacturing recovery. Despite the challenges in the Eurozone, the UK motor industry expects further growth in 2012.” This will be pleasing news for motor insurance companies as the number of insurance policies being renewed, and taken out, will hopefully be on the increase.

All-Time High…Nearly

KPMG, one of the largest firms in London, if not the world, has explained that strong demand from Asian consumers has been helping to drive the production figures up, and John Leech, a partner in KPMG’s automotive practice has been saying: “As a result, the proportion of cars produced in Britain for the export market is close to an all-time high.”

He then went on to add: “Premium manufacturers are performing well at present, notably Jaguar Land Rover and Rolls-Royce, both of whom are enjoying record years fuelled by Chinese demand for British exports.”

Jobs Created

This is brilliant news for the motor industry in the UK and it will also help open up jobs for thousands of people across the UK. With unemployment at its highest point since 1996, more jobs being created by the motor industry can only be a good thing for the economy, right?

Japanese manufacturer, Toyota, are also doing their bit for the UK economy and the motor industry on the whole, as they are on the brink of investing over £100 million in the firm’s Derbyshire factory. This will make it the sole European centre for making the new hatchback next year and this will in turn create 1,500 jobs in the area. Yet more great news!

Sales Increase for Bentley

Posted on by
2

Bentley have seen UK sales increase by over 20% last month according to the latest statistics that have been released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). According to the stats, the Crewe-based firm have sold 65 cars in the UK in November, this is 20.4% more than the same period in 2010.

Sales Figures

So far this year, Bentley has sold a total of 986 cars in the UK. This is up by 4.5% during the same period last year. This is encouraging news for the automotive sector and those more exotic, luxury car makers. The number of luxury car owners looking for car insurance cover has, therefore, increased this year.

The economic recession has hit us all hard and big businesses have been suffering too. Especially those that manufacture luxury products, such as expensive cars, as less and less people feel the need to own one during times of financial uncertainty. Of course, the price for motor insurance on such expensive vehicles will have put many people off during the economic downturn.

A Bentley spokesman has been commenting on the recent revival they have seen however: “Bentley continues to do well, with global sales up around 30 per cent in November, continuing the annual trend which is seeing total sales increase by around one-third in 2011. Chinese growth is relentless as we surpassed 1,500 cars in the region for the first time.” Many car firms have seen great sales in China as the country continues to prosper.

The spokesman added: “However, established markets such as America and Europe are also increasing, reflecting strong demand for the Mulsanne and, in particular, the new Continental GT. The UK was up despite the on-going economic uncertainty but with the new Continental GTC reaching dealers from December, the prospects for the New Year are promising.”

Sales Forecasts

It is little surprise that Bentley will be excited by what 2012 could bring them, with new models on the horizon and increasing sales forecast.

The SMMT has reported that the total amount of UK car sales declined by 4.2% in November to 134,027 units, however, this is still 5,000 units above the SMMT’s forecast. This year, thus far, total vehicle registrations are down by 4.5%, at 1,822,065 units.

The SMMT feel that the market will better its full year forecast of 1.923 million, however, they added that they are remaining cautious for 2012. Nothing can really be taken for granted in such an unstable economy!

Motorway Lessons to be Introduced

Posted on by
Reply

It has been announced that learner drivers, as of next year, will be taken on motorways as part of their tuition. This is a very positive step as it will mean that young drivers are comfortable on the motorway at speeds of 70mph right from the off.

This change will not however become compulsory, merely just advisory. This is due to the fact that learner drivers in remote areas of the country would face some difficulty in finding a motorway within a reasonable distance of where they live.

Life Behind the Wheel

Mr Penning made the announcement when addressing the Institute of Advanced Motorists and he cited an example of his own daughter who would have been able to drive on a motorway within minutes of passing.

Mr Penning has also been quoted saying: “Are we teaching young drivers to pass a test or are we giving them the skills to enjoy life on the road?” This comment, along with the changes, have come after growing concerns regarding the current testing regime, which many believe, does not prepare drivers correctly for life behind the wheel.

Andrew Howard, the AA’s head of road safety, has also commented on the issue, saying: “This is good news. It will end the ludicrous situation where people can live near a network of motorways and pass their test without ever having been on one.”

I am very much inclined to agree with this. After passing my test I did not drive on a motorway for about three and a half years, simply because I did not feel prepared or equipped with the right skills and knowledge to apply them to the motorway, which can be daunting for young drivers with little experience.

Driving tuition currently seems rather mundane and simply aimed at getting someone to tick the boxes in order to pass a test. The amount of drivers who pass their test but still do not feel at ease behind the wheel is staggering and alarming. It is really quite detrimental to their own confidence and the other drivers on the road too. With a few tweaks here and there, it is possible to prepare drivers better for life on the road and to teach drivers a greater number of skills.

It’s Just Safer

By taking learners on motorways it is sure to reduce the chance of them having an accident when they finally do take the motorway once they have passed, this may also reduce the amount of motor insurance claims made every year.

There are some countries in Europe that prepare drivers for icy conditions; in the UK we do not even touch upon that, we are merely told to brake earlier in the rain. That’s just common sense isn’t it? Such tuition could also eventually lead to lower motor insurance quotes being offered to younger drivers, which currently can be very pricey indeed!

On the whole, the way we are taught to drive is very good, but like I said, with a few edits here and there, we could make driving tuition even more effective and even more comprehensive in order to teach drivers further skills and prepare them better for driving in a range of conditions and on a greater variety of roads.

Andrew Howard added: “Toughening the rules on driving instructors is also to be welcomed. At the moment it is possible to be taught by a trainee, without knowing that when you booked the lesson – but you still have to pay the same price.”

Cost of motoring roars ahead

Posted on by
Reply

The recent report issued by the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) on the cost of running a car in the UK today, is enough to make anyone think twice before they get a motor insurance quote.

Fuel duty the main cause

According to the nationally recognised motoring group the price motorists pay to go about their business using a car has spiralled in the last 12 months. It will come as no surprise at all to motorists that driving is more expensive than ever before but the RAC reckon costs have increased by a massive 14% in the last year. The increases seem to cover every aspect of motoring but it is the fuel price that seems to have crippled long term motorists the most. This time last year petrol and diesel both cost less than £1.20 a litre, today drivers are paying on average £1.34 and £1.40 respectively. Fuel has risen in price by around 12%.

Motor insurance policies averaging over £500

The other big increase has come via car insurance cover. Unbelievably the average cost of a car insurance policy is now £550, up 14% on the year but up by over 30% on the prices in 2009. Insurance companies say the increases are due to the steep rise in personal injury claims more than anything else but say insurance fraud and uninsured drivers also play a big part in bumping the price up.

Running costs racing ahead

Overall the RAC estimate the average cost of running a car is now £6,500 a year or about £520 a month. This of course would make a massive hole in anyone’s pay packet, let alone those who are out of work or retired. The figures compared to those of four years ago show an increase of over 20% and this remember in a period of recession and austerity. Many workers have not had a wage rise since 2007 which makes the impact of high motoring costs even harder to bear.

Golden age of motoring finished

There really is little many drivers can do about the situation; fuel consumption is certainly down showing that people are cutting out unnecessary journeys. Car ownership is also down suggesting the middle classes are now managing without the “family run-around”, but in truth the golden age of motoring may well be over. Probably illustrated no better than the fact that only just over 1000 electric vehicles have been sold in the UK this year. Surely a nation keen to avoid the fuel prices imposed on them by the Government and oil companies would have flocked to the new breed of cars by now.

UK drivers happy with MOT as it is

Posted on by
Reply

At a time when motorists are crying out for a cushion to protect them from the ever rising costs of motoring, a survey by one of the UK’s most prominent road safety organisations proves that drivers still put car safety issues at the forefront of their vehicle requirements.

Present system preferred

In a survey conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) 6 drivers in 10 indicated a preference to leave the UK’s MOT certificate demands exactly as they are. The poll was launched on the back of a Ministry of Transport initiative which proposed to alter the UK MOT requirements of a test every 12 months after 3 years to the more relaxed EU checks which require the first check after 4 years and subsequent checks every two years instead of one.

Safety put before costs

At a time of soaring car insurance cover and exorbitant fuel prices one would have thought that drivers in the UK would have grasped the chance to lower their motoring costs but apparently that is not the case. Less than 3 in 10 UK drivers thought the changes to the MOT would be advantageous and 2 in 10 believed they were wrong.

MOT check will diagnose major problems

The survey probably reflects motorist’s belief in the MOT test as a fail-safe mechanism from their laziness. More and more drivers are happy to forget about car maintenance until it is a necessity, and the MOT is a necessity. Although 1 in 4 drivers suspect that garages invent a fault during the test to optimise their profits, over 6 out of 10 drivers believe the test will pick up dangerous faults.

Massive discrepancy in pass rates between UK and Europe

Amazingly, only 63% of cars pass their first MOT in the UK, while in France for example, 94% pass. Strangely enough the first check occurs a year later in France! That bare statistic suggests that drivers taking out motor insurance for the first time would surely opt for the European system, after all why should 1 in 4 cars fail a basic safety check after 3 years. Whatever the reasons behind the discrepancy, drivers in the UK have signalled their belief in the present system and it will take a brave Minister of Transport to turn against public opinion and at the same time put jobs in the motor industry at risk.