Author: Sam Allcock

Chinese luxury carmaker HONGQI made a significant impact at the 2024 Paris Motor Show with the debut of its new energy vehicles, the EH7 and EHS7. These electric models marked the company’s first foray into the European market, and the announcement of open orders across the continent drew considerable attention from consumers and industry insiders alike. Both the EH7 and EHS7 are designed to offer a compelling blend of performance, advanced technology, and affordability. Priced competitively, the EH7 starts at €49,999, while the EHS7 is available from €53,999, making them highly attractive options for European customers seeking high-quality electric vehicles…

Chinese luxury car brand HONGQI has announced a unique partnership with renowned European fabric manufacturer SCABAL at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. The collaboration, described as a fusion of luxury, craftsmanship, and innovative design, marks the beginning of a cross-industry relationship between the two prestigious brands. Representatives from both companies were present at the event, including Mr Liu Changqing, Vice President of the HONGQI Brand Operation Committee, and Mr Stefano Rivera, CEO of SCABAL Group, who officiated the partnership with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The two exchanged symbolic gifts to commemorate the partnership, which highlights the shared ethos of high-quality production…

A new study has revealed that several popular petrol and diesel car models are on the brink of extinction, as the automotive industry continues to shift towards electric vehicles. According to the report from car parts marketplace Ovoko, the Hyundai Coupe is set to become the first to reach ‘extinction’, with its registrations predicted to dwindle to near zero by August 2026. The study analysed a list of the most popular petrol and diesel car models in the UK, based on data from YouGov. Ovoko calculated the rate of decline in registrations for each model to forecast when they would…

Trina Storage, a global leader in energy storage solutions, has announced the successful grid connection and commissioning of the 40MWh Maldon Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Essex. The project, carried out in collaboration with energy storage specialist Eku Energy, marks a significant milestone for the UK’s renewable energy transition and grid stability. The Maldon battery system, which provides rapid-response capabilities within 350 milliseconds, is Eku Energy’s first commercially operational battery storage project in the UK. It will deliver essential ancillary and balancing services to the national grid, helping improve overall flexibility and resilience in the country’s electricity network. Trina…

AITO, a high-end electric vehicle brand from China, has completed an impressive 38-day journey across the Eurasian continent, covering approximately 15,000 kilometres from Chongqing to Paris. This expedition showcased the reliability and performance of AITO’s vehicles, including the AITO 9, AITO 7, and AITO 5, as part of the brand’s participation in the 90th Paris Motor Show under the theme “Intelligence Redefining Luxury.” The “Eurasian Tour with AITO” convoy traversed 12 countries, illustrating the brand’s commitment to delivering leading intelligent mobility experiences worldwide. The highlight of the event was the display of a special AITO 9, which successfully navigated complex…

Kia Corporation has announced the development of the world’s first car accessory crafted from plastic sourced from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), marking a significant milestone in its partnership with The Ocean Cleanup. This innovative accessory, a limited-edition trunk liner for the all-new Kia EV3, underscores Kia’s commitment to sustainability and its ongoing transformation into a leader in environmentally friendly mobility solutions. The announcement comes as part of Kia’s long-term collaboration with The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organisation focused on removing plastic waste from the world’s oceans. Since 2022, Kia has been actively supporting the group, which aims to…

Family-run haulage company ELB Partners, based in Croydon, has invested £40,000 in upgrading its fleet’s safety equipment ahead of the Direct Vision Standard (DVS) law change that comes into effect later this month. The new regulation requires all heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 12 tonnes operating in Greater London to meet a minimum three-star DVS rating from 28 October. ELB Partners, which has a fleet of 29 vehicles, has spent £1,400 per vehicle to ensure each one meets the new safety standards. The investment comes as part of a broader effort by the company to stay compliant with the growing…

Hyundai Motor Group has announced a major new collaboration with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore to develop advanced energy technologies, with a focus on hydrogen energy. The partnership was formalised at the Singapore-Korea Business Forum, held on 8 October at the Ritz Carlton Singapore. It marks a significant step towards achieving carbon neutrality, with the two institutions set to undertake a three-year joint research programme. The agreement between Hyundai and NTU is aimed at exploring alternative energy solutions tailored to the specific needs of Singapore, a densely populated urban nation. This collaboration brings together Hyundai’s cutting-edge energy expertise with…

Audi’s new A3 allstreet will be fitted with high-performance Falken tyres, the manufacturer has confirmed. The crossover model, part of Audi’s popular A3 family, will come equipped with Falken AZENIS FK510A AO (Audi Original) tyres. The tyres, available in several sizes, have been supplied to the Audi production facility in Ingolstadt since April 2024. The AZENIS FK510 series is available in three key sizes for the A3 allstreet: 205/55R17 95W XL, 225/45R18 95W XL, and 225/49R19 93W XL. Known for its performance capabilities, the tyre model has been widely praised, particularly for its ability to handle challenging wet conditions. This…

New research has revealed Hackney as the worst area in the UK for road accidents caused by drivers using mobile phones. The analysis, conducted by accident compensation experts claims.co.uk, studied local authority districts across the country to identify the regions with the highest and lowest rates of mobile phone-related road casualties and collisions. The research used government data from 2013 to 2022, calculating the average number of mobile phone use incidents per billion vehicle miles annually. The findings highlight the ongoing issue of drivers being distracted by their phones, despite laws prohibiting mobile phone use while driving. According to the…