Latest news with #Vauxhall
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
FleetCheck calls for UK to match EU hydrogen station targets
FleetCheck is urging the UK Government to align with European Union (EU) targets to establish a hydrogen filling station nearly every 200km on major roads by 2030. According to the fleet software specialist, this aims to maximise zero-emission fuel options for vehicle operators, addressing infrastructure gaps that hinder hydrogen adoption. FleetCheck CEO Peter Golding highlighted the issue at a recent hydrogen summit, noting BMW's reluctance to introduce its new fuel cell model to the UK due to inadequate infrastructure. He said: 'We are in a situation where an almost complete absence of infrastructure means we are in danger of being left behind when it comes to hydrogen, even though there seems to be general agreement among fleets that it has a definite role to play in the future.' Golding explained that Hydrogen is seen as a promising option for commercial vehicle operators, where battery electric vehicle adoption faces challenges related to range and payload. Electric van adoption has been slower than anticipated, with operational issues persisting for some fleets. Vauxhall's new hydrogen van, offering a range of approximately 400km and five-minute refuelling, presents a viable zero-emission alternative. However, the lack of refuelling stations limits its practicality unless fleets can afford to bunker fuel. Golding emphasised the need for a balanced government approach promoting diverse zero-emission fuel options. He stated: 'It seems obvious to operators that some fuel choices are more suitable for certain applications, but the UK Government approach appears to be almost entirely centred on battery electric vehicles, simply because they are available here and now. Following recent amendments to the ZEV Mandate, which grant the motor industry additional flexibility, the hydrogen sector stands to gain, potentially attracting investment in infrastructure development. Golding concluded: 'UK fleets should be calling for this to happen." "FleetCheck calls for UK to match EU hydrogen station targets" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Cheshire gets huge car parts centre the size of NINE FOOTBALL PITCHES creating 200 new jobs in the region
Car giant Stellantis has opened a new vehicle parts distribution centre in Ellesmere Port just months after it closed Vauxhall's van factory in Luton, putting more than 1,100 jobs at risk. The parts centre will become the vehicle component hub for 10 Stellantis-owned brands across the UK and Ireland. It will streamline the company's supply chain, delivering approximately four million parts per year. Of the 240 staff on site, 200 are new jobs for the region. This is on top of the 1,100 people Stellantis already employs in the Cheshire town. The enormous 60,000 square metre warehouse - which is equivalent to the size of nine football pitches - sits adjacent to the company's electric van factory, the first dedicated mass-production site for EVs in Britain since its conversion in 2023. The auto firm invested £100million into the 60-year-old car factory - which previously assembled Astra family hatchbacks - to 'strengthen' its commercial vehicle manufacturing operations in Britain. It comes after Stellantis shuttered the doors of its Luton van factory on 28 March. Some of its 1,100 Bedfordshire workforce were offered roles at Ellesmere instead, which is some 150 miles away. Stellantis UK has opened a new Parts Distribution Centre at Ellesmere Port, after the closure of its Luton van factory in March. It will supply up to four million parts a year Stellantis, which owns Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and Fiat, employs over 5,000 people in the UK and is Britain's biggest van manufacturer. Andy Kite, parts and service director at Stellantis UK, said: 'The opening of our new UK Parts Distribution Centre enables us to enhance our aftersales service. 'Its central location offers improved UK coverage and delivery times, with the ability to deliver parts to repairers for the next working day – ensuring the shortest possible wait time for customers. 'With all our brands under one roof, from long-established names like Vauxhall to newer brands like [Chinese EV newcomer] Leapmotor, Stellantis customers benefit from the reassurance of knowing they can quickly access the parts they need.' The centre employs 243 members of staff - 200 being new jobs - operating over two shifts five days per week, distributing up to 140,000 parts housed in the building and supplying 19 regional hubs. It's size is equivalent to nine football pitches The last Stellantis van rolled off the Luton production line in March marking the end of 120 years of manufacturing Stellantis' decision to shutter Luton's 100-year-old factory put 1,100 jobs at risk. Staff at the Bedfordshire site were offered roles at the Ellesmere Port plant, though this is 150 miles away The opening of the Ellesmere Port parts centre follows the transformation of the nearby vehicle manufacturing plant. The former car factory originally opened in 1964, producing Vauxhall Vivas. But in more recent years became the home of the Astra, with production of Vauxhall-badged models for the UK market and left-hand-drive Opels in mainland Europe. When production of the latest Astra was moved to Germany, the UK car factory was converted into the nation's first EV-only volume manufacturing site in 2023. A year later in November 2024, the company announced it would be closing its 100-year-old Luton van factory to shift all manufacturing to the refurbished Cheshire site. Despite opposing calls with unions dubbing it a 'slap in the face' for the people of Luton, Stellantis pushed ahead with its closure, transferring all van manufacturing - and some staff - to the North West town. The parts distribution centre is the first UK warehouse to achieve outstanding BREEAM accreditation, the world-leading sustainability assessment method for the built environment and infrastructure The enormous 60,000 square metre parts warehouse sits adjacent to the company's electric van factory (pictured), the first dedicated mass-production site for EVs in Britain since its conversion in 2023 The new parts distribution centre is the latest consolidation of Stellantis' EV ambitions in the UK - part of its strategy to globally sell 75 EV models by 2030. In 2024, Stellantis saw a significant increase in battery vehicle sales, particularly in the UK, where it was the leading electric van manufacturer and took 10 per cent of the electric car market. Keeping with this zero emission mindset, Stellantis says the parts centre was designed with sustainability at the forefront. It can harvest up to 7,000 litres of water through a storage tank, there are 32 EV charging points, and LED lighting to lower energy usage. It is the first UK warehouse to achieve outstanding BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) accreditation, the world-leading sustainability assessment method for the built environment and infrastructure.
Auto Express
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Prepare to be ruthless when buying a new car
Along with my official duties as a member of the Auto Express team, I'm also the unofficial go-to car guru for family, friends, friends of friends, acquaintances, passers-by, and pretty much everyone else who has a remote idea of what I do for a living. I'm always happy to help, but a recent encounter has left me feeling a little perturbed. Advertisement - Article continues below In the same week, I was approached by my partner's best friend and one of my old university lecturers – two people I was more than willing to assist with car buying (especially when they admitted that their know-how was somewhat limited). One had sadly seen their beloved Vauxhall Corsa written off due to a distracted lorry driver (thankfully nobody was injured), while the other needed a replacement for their trusty but ageing Citroen Xsara Picasso. After a bit of discussion, as well as a few test drives, they respectively decided on a Vauxhall Crossland and a Volvo XC40. So far so good. However, once it was time to talk money, a dealer sensed one of my car-buying apprentice's knowledge-gaps and used it as an opportunity to pile on the pressure. When I received a panicked phone call regarding the Crossland, I was troubled to hear: 'I need to put the deposit down today because the salesperson has to meet a target'. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below My advice to the Crossland buyer at that moment is the same advice I'm going to give you right now: if a seller is piling on too much pressure, hold your ground and say no, or simply walk away. Either way, their targets are simply not your problem. Advertisement - Article continues below Maybe I sound a bit harsh, but please hear me out. Salespeople and dealerships have targets to meet, and this concept isn't an issue, nor would I ever dream of preventing someone from achieving some kind of bonus to help pay the bills. However, what I can't tolerate is guilt-tripping and ultimately piling unacceptable levels of pressure on a buyer – especially one who's anxious about handing over thousands of pounds. Whether it's a deposit you're not certain about, a finance contract that's unsuitable, or anything else you don't wish to fork out on, never be afraid to say no to a salesperson, no matter how insistent they might be. The good news is that my Crossland buyer walked away and ended up with a better example at a different dealership. In the majority of cases, your buying experience will be stress-free, and the salesperson will be professional and polite. However, if for any reason you feel uncomfortable, please don't be afraid to say no or even walk away. It's your money and your decision. Of course, for the smoothest buying experience you can always use our Auto Express Find a Car service. Take the faff our of buying a car! Our dealer network has some fantastic cars on offer right now with new, used and leasing deals to choose from... Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Auto Express
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New Ellesmere Port car parts mecca to make life easier for Vauxhall, Citroen, Fiat and Peugeot owners
The owner of Vauxhall, Peugeot and several other car brands is set to open up a multi-million pound parts distribution centre in the UK, which will stock roughly four million parts per year for dozens of models aged up to 10 years old. Stellantis' new parts mecca in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, will sit next to its pre-existing electric van manufacturing plant which currently builds the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric, Peugeot E-Rifter and Citroën ë-Berlingo people carriers. Advertisement - Article continues below Equivalent in size to roughly nine football pitches, the new warehouse occupies a colossal 60,000 square metres and, thanks to 14-metre-high shelving units, can cater for as many as 140,000 different parts. As well as catering for Stellantis stalwarts like Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, the new distribution centre will also stock parts for the likes of Leapmotor – a new Chinese brand which has recently fallen under the conglomerate's umbrella – in an effort to give customers peace of mind when it comes to parts availability. Yet despite its gigantic size, Stellantis' new site is the first UK warehouse to receive BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) accreditation. This evaluates the way a building is constructed, what materials are used and how it will be operated in order to determine how environmentally sustainable it is. Manager of the new parts distribution centre, Diane Miller, said the new location 'ensures a more efficient process by bringing all Stellantis brands under one roof. Thanks to the more central location afforded by Ellesmere Port, we also benefit from better transport links for distribution to our 19 regional hubs across the UK and Ireland.' All of this comes shortly after Stellantis pulled the shutters on Vauxhall's iconic Luton manufacturing plant, which resulted in 1,100 job losses. Stellantis had previously threatened to pull out of the UK manufacturing sector altogether due to the tough conditions placed upon brands under the ZEV Mandate, however, investment in the Ellesmere Port plant suggest that Stellantis is here to stay – for now, at least. Our dealer network has 1,000s of great value new cars in stock and available now right across the UK. Find your new car… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
Auto Express
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Car Deal of the Day: Kia Ceed GT-Line is a hidden gem at £192 a month
GT-Line model Good to drive, well-equipped Only £192.45 a month Think of a traditional family hatchback and names like Vauxhall Astra, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla and even the soon-to-be-killed-off Ford Focus spring to mind. But don't forget the Kia Ceed, because this is a well equipped, smartly designed and good-to-drive hatch that won't disappoint. It's cheap, too. Through the Auto Express Find a Car service, Willow Leasing is offering the Ceed for a tiny £192.45 a month right now, undercutting all of those so memorable and more familiar rivals. Advertisement - Article continues below The deal requires £2,607.40 to be laid down first, and it lasts for three years with a 5,000-miles-a-year cap. Nudging this up to 8,000 is no problem, though, and will cost just £8 a month extra. At this price, you might be expecting the basic model, but in fact you'll be getting the keys to the desirable GT-Line version. This gets a racy look inside and out, big 17-inch wheels, rear privacy glass, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a touchscreen with a reversing camera and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There's only one engine choice in the Ceed, and it's a perfectly decent 1.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol. It's mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox, and thanks to 138bhp, gives punchy performance. The Ceed is pretty good to drive, too, with light and accurate steering, and sharp handling thanks to the GT-Line's standard-fit firmer suspension. Inside is a nice place to be with quality fixtures and fittings, plus there's good room in the back seats, and the boot, at 395 litres, is bigger than what you'll get in a Focus or a Golf. The Car Deal of the Day selections we make are taken from our own Auto Express Find A Car deals service, which includes the best current offers from car dealers and leasing companies around the UK. Terms and conditions apply, while prices and offers are subject to change and limited availability. If this deal expires, you can find more top Kia Ceed leasing offers from leading providers on our Kia Ceed hub page. Check out the Kia Ceed deal or take a look at our previous Car Deal of the Day selection here… Find a car with the experts New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer New Volvo EM90 2025 review: the ultimate SUV killer Volvo has made an ultra-luxurious van. Intrigued? You should be, but sadly it's for China only Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival Smart Roadster could return as an electric Mazda MX-5 rival The Smart Roadster could be set for a comeback and our exclusive image previews how it could look New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too New Audi Q3 reinvents the indicator stalk, but there's a whole lot more too Audi's not taking any risks with its all-new Q3; watch it sell like crazy
