The Western Group of Motoring Writers was formed in 1983 to provide a body which can not only represent the views of its members when communicating with others in the motor industry, but also perform the role of event organiser for motoring events, test drives and new model launches.
The Western Group of Motoring Writers boasts over 20 full and honorary members with interests that cover the full range of motoring journalism, including regional and national press, broadcast media, trade press, photography, video and specialist publications.
Group activities are held throughout the region on a regular basis. We constantly strive to raise professional standards and protect our members’ interests and liaise with motoring writers’ groups in other parts of the UK.
The highlight of our year is undoubtedly the WGMW’s annual invitation-only PR Driving Day held at Castle Combe race circuit in Wiltshire each summer, when we see a wide range of cars available to be test driven by representatives of the motor manufacturers’ press office teams.
Recent Posts
From the Chair: January 2022
I recently carried out an interview with the Chief Technology Officer of the Volvo Group – not the car manufacturer but the truck, bus and off-road equipment manufacturer. In the course of the discussion, the subject of autonomous vehicles came up. I was quite surprised to hear how much of an enthusiast he was for…
From the Chair: January 2022
Last month, Daimler Benz announced that it had received authorisation from the federal traffic office to equip its car with level-three automation, effectively hands-free driving. The first appearance of this will be on the new S Class Mercedes due for launch during the spring. The S Class will of course be the official transport for…
From the Chair: December 2021
With the AGM behind us, From the Chair comes from a new Chairman this month. Many thanks to Robin Roberts for his many years of hard work for the Group as chairman and deputy chairman. The Government’s stated intention to ban the internal combustion engine from cars after 2030 is undoubtedly a story I will…
Carlos Ghosn and the ‘Collision Course’ factors that got him locked up
A recently published book explores the multiple factors at play in the downfall of one of the auto industry’s celebrated executives, Carlos Ghosn. The story of Carlos Ghosn’s time as the head of the Renault-Nissan Alliance, while leading both companies – and his sudden and dramatic fall – is well worth the depth that 327…
Continue Reading Carlos Ghosn and the ‘Collision Course’ factors that got him locked up
Driving on the M96? I don’t think so
The shortest motorway in the UK is in the Cotswolds but you have got special permission to drive on it and it’s only 500 yards long! Not many people have heard of the M96 which is a four lane motorway and which has more crashes on it than all the other motorways put together in…
New Car Sales October 2021
Volkswagen dominated UK sales in October and scooped 8.52% of sales, writes Robin Roberts. BMW, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Audi all out performed the rest and left Ford and Vauxhall, traditional leaders, trailing behind. Regionally, Wales bucked the trend and grew new car sales last month, the only part of the UK market to do so.…
