RENAULT ANNOUNCES FIRST WAVE OF EV DEALERS
RENAULT has confirmed the first wave of UK dealers for its electric vehicles with the arrival of Kangoo Van Z.E., the first model in the company’s four-strong electric vehicle line-up.
Some 21 electric vehicle sites, branded Z.E. Expert, in major centres like Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle, are now live and ready to offer the full range of sales and after-sales services for Renault’s electric vehicle customers.
Each dealership will be able to handle potential EV customer questions, as well as offer advice on making the most of the benefits of running one, including the essential environmental and financial factors to take into account.
And each Z.E. Expert site will have a Kangoo demonstrator, so that members of the public can experience an electric vehicle for themselves.
LEXUS TO PRESENT SPORTS CONCEPT
LEXUS will unveil a new LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept, a vehicle which marks a further step in the company’s design direction, at the Detroit Motor Show on January 9.
Crafted from a clean sheet of paper and combining high technology and organic shapes to achieve a close connection between driver and car, the concept’s clean lines create a futuristic look.
LF-LC was conceived as an exercise to explore the future of Lexus design and was created at the Calty design studio in Newport Beach, California.
HALF BILLION COST OF GOING BACKWARDS
TRAVELLING in reverse gear causes almost £409m worth of vehicle damage each year, according to research by Accident Exchange.
Almost 200,000 reversing accidents occur annually, reported the accident management specialists, equivalent to more than 500 each day, with an average repair cost of £2,123.
In the majority of incidents, the ‘at fault’ driver collided with the innocent party’s stationary vehicle – usually in a car park – or was reversing from a driveway or narrow side road.
The study suggests that reversing cars cause almost eight per cent of total vehicle accidents in the UK, which results in nearly half a billion pounds worth of damage.
FROST-JACKINGS ON THE RISE
A COLD snap is quickly followed by a rise in ‘frost jackings’, which sees thieves make off with cars that have been left to de-ice on the drive, complete with keys in the ignition and the engine running.
That’s the result of research by vehicle recovery specialist Tracker, which reveals that one car is stolen every five minutes in the UK and 84 per cent of the stolen cars it recovers were taken using the owner’s keys.
Leaving the car unattended on frosty mornings could be a costly mistake, warns Tracker, whose police relationships manager Stuart Chapman says: “Would you leave an open briefcase containing £30,000 cash or more on your driveway or outside the local newsagent on a frosty morning?
“The answer is undoubtedly no. However, unbelievable as it sounds, each morning many motorists leave their car unattended with the engine running, making it easy for thieves to drive off with it with no extra effort.
“Our research shows that thieves are opportunists and look out for cars on frosty mornings, shopping around for the most popular makes and models, as temperatures start to drop.”
LOTUS TO TAKE FESTIVAL STAGE
A FULL six months ahead of next summer’s Festival of Speed (June 28 - July 1), Goodwood has revealed that it will be honouring Lotus with the main central feature installation, displayed outside Goodwood House.
Goodwood will celebrate the British icon at an exciting time in its history, as Lotus is currently two years into a five-year brand reinvigoration plan with the goal of returning the marque to its original status alongside other prestigious sports car manufacturers.
The plan includes an entire new range, the first of which will be the return of the Esprit in 2013.
Lotus will enjoy several anniversaries in 2012, including 60 years since the first Lotus company was founded by Colin Chapman in 1952, while next year also sees the 50th anniversary of the ground-breaking Lotus Elan and 40 years since the Esprit concept was first revealed by Giugiaro.