Author: Robin Roberts

Respect is earned, not awarded, in the motor industry, and one of the most influential vehicle brands is Jeep, now on the eve of celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2021. Think about that for a minute; it was born out of WW2 conflict, battled through the 20thcentury’s consumer culture and taken on many imitators. It’s doubtful that Land Rover would exist if it wasn’t for Jeep and after seven decades it’s still going strong. Jeep is planning a number of dedicated events throughout 2021 to highlight its achievements and bring it closer to fans, COVID-19 restrictions permitting. There are four…

The firebreak lockdown has wiped 25% off new car sales in Wales, revealed figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It is a warning to England which has just gone into a month’s lockdown as opposed to the fortnight shutdown in Wales which ends on monday after 3,677 new cars were sold by Welsh dealers in the three weeks they could open last month. These contrasted with a rise of almost 25% in Scottish new car registrations over the same period. October new car sales in UK and Wales UK best sellers Mercedes A-Class Vauxhall Corsa Ford Fiesta…

Aston Martin’s future electrified vehicles will have Mercedes-Benz powertrains when they go into production in St Athan in a few years. The technical deal is part of a massive investment by Daimler taking a 20% stake in the British luxury car-maker over the next three years. The two have been working together since 2013 when MB supplied petrol engines to the sports cars made in Gaydon and this year’s new DBX SUV built in South Wales. St Athan will be the brand’s centre of EV manufacturing with a new Lagonda saloon but AM’s original plan to develop its own EV…

Since September 2010 it has been snapped up by over 1.5 million owners around the world who wanted to add style to the school-run and other social outings. Building on its link with Renault and Mitsubishi, the Nissan Juke  now uses a bigger platform underneath so it’s roomier than the first generation which turned heads with its sleek profile and cutting edge interior details. Those distinctive looks both outside and in are now softened but enhanced and Nissan has packed in some of the most advanced driver assistance and convenience features in a family car for under £25,000. In fact…

Without compromising its famous off-road abilities the Renegade 4xe adds emission lowering and power enhancing electric drive. It’s the first electrified Jeep to be sold in Britain and uses the familiar 1.3 litre four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor or generator driving the front wheels coupled with a hefty 60hp electric motor on the back axle using power from a 114kWh 400v traction battery under the back seats. In pure electric mode you might select in toll-charging zones or on daily commutes it will cover 26 miles, enough for most trips, but you have the range anxiety removed by…

Since 2015, there has been a 440% increase in charging points on average across all 15 national parks. The biggest increase is the Pembrokeshire Coast national park which had 1 public charging point five years ago, but now boasts 19 – a 1800% increase. The Broads & North York Moors are the only UK national parks without any public EV charging points. On average, a national park in the UK still only has 21 public charging points, which each needing to cater to 23 EVs per point. Although the increasing numbers are promising, they are still a far cry away…

It’s combined powerful petrol-electric powertrain with very low emissions and ownership costs, quality fittings and finish embodied in a roomy five-door body is the latest addition to the popular Slovakian-built series. The XCeed is based on the better known Ceed platform but with different front and rear ends styling as well as a 42mm higher ride height. You still get just front wheel drive but can select a range of powertrains in the XCeed matched with various trim levels and our 1.6GDI PHEV came with 6sp automatic transmission and ‘3’ grade trim. While it’ll focus your attention with its taller…

If it feels right, it’s right – and that’s a particularly apt saying when it comes to the Alfa Romeo Giulia. What’s more, the sporting saloon looks striking outside and inside and when it gets moving this driver’s smile widens still further. Alfa Romeo has always enjoyed a strong sporting fan club, and I count myself as a member, as it delivers all you’d expect of a family car but with a sharper edge to its handling than many rivals. Giulia has been a regular model in the range over the years and the latest incarnation comes with a choice…

The Ford Puma is the company’s latest crossover and it’s strongest new generation of family cars to date. The name has been used before by Ford and between 1997 and 2002 it was on an unusual model, a compact three-door coupe. That was based on the latest Fiesta and ironically the new car is also derived from the current Fiesta. By lengthening and widening the floorpan using the most modern design and engineering computer systems, the new Puma has been developed as a five-door tall hatchback. And it’s very impressive. The lockdown delayed the new Puma’s introduction this spring and…

The influential Welsh Automotive Forum (WAF) has a new Chief Executive Officer, Robert Paul O’Neil. Rob has been the cluster group’s Operations Manager since 2017 and steps into his new role upon the retirement of Tim Williams, who has been Chief Executive Officer since 1999, and who will remain on the WAF Board to assist in the transition until a new OM is appointed. Growing up in Port Talbot and graduating from Swansea University with a BSc Hons in European Management Science with German and a Masters degree, Robert has worked in the global automotive sector for more than 20 years…