Car and Van News

BMW is promising buyers more choice than ever before in its 3 Series range.

By the time the range is complete it will boast more body styles and a greater diversity of trim packages than seen before, and the availability of four-wheel drive for the first time.

Mazda expects its UK market to grow by a remarkable 20 per cent by the end of the year.

According to the brand’s UK boss Jeremy Thomson the sales target is bold, but entirely realistic.

UK car manufacturing slid 6.3 per cent in March as British plants felt the effect of slumping sales in mainland Europe.

The total of 126,909 units contributed to 393,416 over the first quarter of 2013, down two per cent.

Ford has announced a £24 million investment in its engine plant in Bridgend, south Wales.

The money, £12 million of which is being supplied by the Welsh Assembly government, will enable the building of new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engines at the plant.

Volkswagen is putting its dealers through a major revamp, with new showroom designs and in some cases moves to new sites.

According to the brand 49 of the 210 UK dealers have undergone the changes, with a further 70 set for completion before the end of the year.

The first of 13 new engines to be fitted to Vauxhall Opel cars are now being rolled out.

All of the units will be in vehicles by 2016 as the brands try to address criticism of their current powerplants.

Peugeot is targeting a more upmarket and more international image, but needs to find a way of getting that message across to more buyers

UK managing director, Tim Zimmerman, believes the brand deserves more of the UK market than it currently holds.