End of the road for the MINI Clubman
Today marked the end of the road for the popular MINI Clubman at Plant Oxford, 55 years after its debut which has included 1.1 M versions in two series. With its unique styling and signature rear split barn-doors, the MINI Clubman remains instantly recognisable around...
A good start to the New Year, but more support needed
Discounted business registrations meant Britain’s millionth battery electric car reached the road in January 2024, while the new car market grew 8.2% for the month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The first month of the year saw 142,876...
The WGMW is well represented at this year’s Newspress Awards…
…Even before any entries have been sent WGMW chairman John Kendall has been selected as a judge and industry Friend of the Group Denis Chick will sit alongside him and five other judges, from the world of PR, print and photographic media. John is currently...
Karen Parry now in Autovia driving seat
Friend of WGMW Karen Parry now heads up the communications for AUTOVIA, the UK’s number one automotive content and commerce growth business. Karen brings with her over 30 years of automotive experience and joins Autovia from a 12-month contract as Head of...
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...
From the Chair: October 2021
The Western Group of Motoring Writers recently held its first face-to-face meeting for over a year courtesy of Honda UK and to whom we are very grateful. By the way, there was no truth in the rumour that Honda PR Emma Butler used the meeting as a rehearsal for...From the chair June 2021
Slowly, very slowly, things are getting back to normal for motoring journalists, prs, the industry and dealers but no-one knows what that “new normal” will be or how it will work out and that is potentially a sticking point for everyone which will not take...
From the Chair: March 2021
There are a few weeds to be taken care of as the motor industry, energy providers, related suppliers and authorities take us down the green road towards 2030 and onwards. The haste and race to have low emission cars and other vehicles on our roads is tripping over...
Aston Martin St Athan plant will play a crucial role in the company’s recovery and future plans.
The luxury car maker will almost double production at St Athan and its Garden, Warwickshire sites this year after working through stock it’s held and which has plagued them since its 2018 shares floatation. The British company plans to make 6,000 vehicles this...
Siemens back Welsh hydrogen car
One of the world’s leading technology companies has stepped in to boost plans to build hydrogen vehicles in Wales for global sale. Siemens UK has signed a memorandum of understanding with Riversimple, of Llandrindod Wells, to make their Rasa car and a local delivery...
From the Chair: February 2021
Journalists and PRs in the motoring world share their love of cars and that has been severely tested over the last 12 months. Jobs have gone, people have gone, plans shelved and events cancelled, including our own WGMW PR Driving Day 2020. Some...
The UK new car market has fallen by almost a third
The UK new car market fell by almost a third (-29.4%) in 2020, with annual registrations dropping to 1,631,064 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. A -10.9% decline in December wrapped up a turbulent 12 months, which saw demand fall by...
From the Chair January 2021
I think every member will be glad to see the back of 2020. It has destroyed many lives, businesses, overturned accepted social norms and events. It has also brought a lot of us closer together, removed veils and opened eyes to what is happening in front of them. As a...
From the Chair: 1 December 2020
After a truly different year, the Western Group of Motoring Writers broke new ground with its first on-line AGM. It didn’t go as well as we wanted but certainly most members who wanted to were able to join in and generally it ran as a Real World round-table...
From the chair: 1 November 2020
Well Lockdown 2.0, or if you live in Wales Lockdown 2.5, is underway and highlights how differently the Coronavirus is being tackled. Strictly speaking, only essential travel is being permitted whether you live in Wales, England or Scotland and it’s been...Our Social Wall from Members
The number of vehicles on our roads reached a record 41.4 million in 2023, according to the latest SMMT figures
https://automotiveblog.co.uk/2024/04/record-number-of-vehicles-on-uk-roads/
Awesome classics on display at the Drive It Day event (Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs) at my local pub, in aid of the NSPCC’s Childline
Ferrari 412GT sells at auction
My official souvenir picture from this week's Mazda Epic Drive in Morocco, courtesy of photographer Dave Smith
My official souvenir picture from this week's Mazda Epic Drive in Morocco, courtesy of photographer Dave Smith
Hispano Suiza teases design of new Carmen Sagrera #hypercar https://tinyurl.com/yrfek7cn #Spain #supercar #luxury @HispanoSuizaCar
The new CX-80 - the biggest ever #Mazda to be brought to the UK by the company - will arrive in the autumn https://tinyurl.com/yrfek7cn
#Hyundai reveals pricing & specs of new Santa Fe https://tinyurl.com/yrfek7cn @Hyundai_UK
