Monday 18 June 2012

New Engines and Facelift for Ford Fiesta


Existing Fiesta

The bestselling Ford Fiesta is due to go on sale in December with a fresh new facelift and a new engine line up that includes the award winning 1.0 EcoBoost engine. The superb engine, which originated in the Ford Focus, is an impressive turbocharged 3-cylinder unit that will save the driver 10g/km in CO2 emissions compared to the equivalent in the existing Fiesta.

The engine will run to the tune of 125bhp which is outstanding for a 1.0 three cylindered unit. Other engines brought to the new Fiesta include 73bhp 1.5 TDCi and a 93bhp 1.6 TDCi, tipped to replace the 1.4 TDCi. Both these engines will bring a slight improvement to the existing diesel engines. 

Styling changes will include subtle changes that resemble the appearance of the new Fiesta ST, with a larger front grill and new headlamps. The car will make its official debut in the Paris Motor Show next month where everything about the car will be revealed. 

Despite the car being the UK’s to selling, there are currently no plans to sell the new 4-door Fiesta in the UK. 

Friday 15 June 2012

UK New Car Manufacturing on the Rise


With over 140,000 units produced by car plants in May represents and eight year high for the UK motor industry. Although it is the highest output since 2004, it is a massive increase of 42.2 percent over May 2011, most due to complications in sourcing supplies during the aftermath of the Japanese tsunami.  

Out of the overall 141,146 cars made, 120,120 are due for export markets and 21,026 for due to go on domestic sale.

Paul Everitt, boss of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “Car manufacturing in May hit the highest level of output since 2004, a sizeable recovery against volumes hampered by last year’s Japanese tsunami. This boost, coupled with robust year-to-date results, demonstrates the strength of UK automotive manufacturing and shows why it continues to attract high levels of international investment.”

Although non-commercial sales saw a welcomed increase, commercial sales declined 7.4% in May with less levels of Demand. The UK’s engine output passed 1 million in May, up by 40,000 in the same time last year.
Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, praised the UK automotive industry for coming through the economic downturn and becoming one of the most productive motor industries in Europe.

Manufacturers such as Nissan, Vauxhall, Jaguar, Landrover, Mini, Honda and Toyota now build their high volume cars in the UK.