PSA group are the first manufacturer to raise prices directly due to the UK's decision to leave the E.U.

PSA Group has raised prices for its new cars in the UK after the pound plunged following the country’s decision to leave the EU.

Other automakers including Fiat and Nissan have warned that car prices will have to rise to counter the pound's fall but PSA is the first to do so,

PSA increased UK car prices for its Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands on Aug. 1.

A Peugeot brand spokesman said the increase partly reflected the pound’s 10 percent fall in value against the euro following the Brexit vote on June 23. “We have to anticipate fluctuations in currency,” he said.

Peugeot didn’t give an average increase but in one example the entry 308 compact car rose by 435 pounds ($567) to 15,930 pounds, a 2.8 percent increase.

Citroen and DS prices rose by an average of 2 percent, a spokesman for those brands said. The price increase was planned before the recent exchange rate fluctuations, the spokesman said.

PSA’s three brands have a combined 7.24 percent share of the UK market based on sales in the first seven months. The French automaker has no local production to offset currency variations and imports all its cars into the country.

UK industrywide passenger car registrations increased by just 0.1 percent in July with private sales declining by 6.1 percent as consumer confidence fell, according to data from industry association SMMT released on Thursday.

Price rises would “hurt car sales” in the UK, Europe’s second largest market after Germany, JATO Dynamics global analyst Felipe Munoz said.

Automakers are still assessing what the UK’s exit from Europe means for business there, he said. “However the first effect is on the pound, and the price rise is the easiest and quickest way to deal with that,” he said.

Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn last week told journalists he had “no doubt” prices would have to rise in the UK.

Fiat brand's UK chief, Sebastiano Fedrigo, warned earlier this month that price rises are inevitable but said most companies are waiting to see if the pound stabilizes.

Automakers have warned that Brexit is hitting the profitability of their European operations.

Ford Motor, the UK's top-selling brand, said last month that Brexit has already cost the company $60 million because of the pound’s slump in value. It expects to lose $200 million this year and $400 to $500 million next year due to Brexit, Chief Financial Officer Bob Shanks said.

General Motors said it was considering cost cuts in Europe to offset up to $400 million of potential headwinds triggered by the Brexit vote. GM is seeking to return its Opel and Vauxhall to a full-year profit after years of losses.

Nick Gibbs

Automotive News Europe

REPORT HERE

Nissan announces production, sales and exprt figures for the moth of November 2015.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its production, sales and export figures for November 2015.

1. Production

Nissan's global production in November increased 6.2 percent year-on-year to 461,127 units, an increase for the seventh consecutive year.

Production in Japan increased 6.2 percent year-on-year to 66,680 units, a decline for the first time in two months.

Production outside of Japan increased 6.2 percent year-on-year to 394,447 units, an all-time record for the month of November.

In the U.S., production increased 9.6 percent year-on-year to 82,119 units, an all-time record for the month of November.

In Mexico, production increased 3.9 percent year-on-year to 70,395 units, an all-time record for the month of November.

In the U.K., production decreased 2.4 percent year-on-year to 43,967 units.

In Spain, production declined 17.1 percent year-on-year to 8,481 units.

In China, production was up 14.0 percent year-on-year to 130,758 units.

Production in other regions increased 0.1 percent year-on-year to 58,727 units.

2. Sales

Global sales decreased 0.9 percent year-on-year to 438,557 units, a decline for the first time in six months.

Japan:

• Sales including mini-vehicles declined 9.3 percent year-on-year to 41,786 units, the 18th consecutive month of decline.
• Vehicle registrations decreased 8.8 percent year-on-year to 24,904 units.
• Mini-vehicle sales decreased 10.1 percent year-on-year to 16,882 units.

Sales outside Japan increased 0.1 percent year-on-year to 396,771 units, the seventh consecutive month of increase.

In the U.S., sales increased 3.8 percent year-on-year to 107,083 units, an all-time record for the month of November.

In Mexico, sales increased 4.9 percent year-on-year to 29,930 units, an all-time record for the month of November.

In Europe, sales decreased 14.8 percent year-on-year to 55,742 units.

In China, sales increased 21.9 percent year-on-year to 122,689 units.

Sales in other regions were down 3.3 percent year-on-year to 71,743 units.

3. Japan Exports

Nissan's exports in November increased 8.2 percent year-on-year to 43,637 units, the second consecutive month of increase.

Vauxhall/Ope;s European plants, all 23 of them, are all now Land Fill Free facilities, shame others aren't.

• Exemplary recycling: General Motors’ industry-leading landfill-free count now totals 131 facilities including Vauxhall’s ultra-efficient Ellesmere Port and Luton plants
• Europe first global GM region with 100% landfill-free status for manufacturing plants

In total 23 Opel/Vauxhall facilities in Europe are now landfill-free, meaning they recycle, reuse or convert to energy all waste from daily operations. With the additions of Luton Assembly and Ellesmere Port Assembly in Great Britain, Europe achieved as the first global GM region 100% landfill-free status for its manufacturing plants. 

General Motors’ industry-leading landfill-free count now totals 131 facilities.

“Our global progress in waste reduction is possible because of employee participation, creative ideas, and a strong supplier network,” said Jim DeLuca, GM executive vice president of Global Manufacturing. “Our teams understand the positive impact of this initiative and they drive it in their facilities every day.”

The new landfill-free sites in Europe used a variety of tools to educate and inspire, from recycling courses to training videos that help them understand the environmental benefits and business case. Some plants designate a champion in every unit of the plant to help ensure employee participation, and recognize team members driving significant progress. All landfill-free sites will continue to improve their efforts and reduce total waste whenever possible.

“We at Opel/Vauxhall see waste as a resource out of place and want to go beyond the classical waste reduction targets that you usually reach by optimization of existing processes. Only if you understand waste as raw material you start to rethink your current processes and develop new ways to run your business differently. Strategically we do not only want to be landfill-free, we want to improve the re-use of material,” says Dr. Renate Adam, Manager Environmental Compliance and Sustainability, Opel/Vauxhall Europe.

GM teams around the world are working toward achieving 150 landfill-free sites globally by 2020. The company received a Top Project of the Year Award from Environmental Leader for driving a global movement for zero waste and outlines its best practices in its blueprint, "The Business Case for Zero Waste”.

UK RECALL - PORSCHE - The brand is recalling petrol engined S and Turbo models for possible fuel leak.

Leaking low-pressure line – affected customers will be contacted directly

Precautionary recall: Porsche is conducting an examination of 58,881 examples of the Macan S and Macan Turbo around the world, of which 1,198 are in Great Britain. The reason for this move is a possible leak in the low-pressure fuel line inside the engine compartment. The line will be replaced in the workshop - this is a purely precautionary measure.

Only gasoline engines are affected. The problem was identified after a precise examination of complaints and then immediately rectified in ongoing production. Owners of the vehicles will be contacted directly by their responsible Porsche dealers. Workshop appointments will be arranged as quickly as possible. The work will take roughly one hour and will be carried out free of charge.

Porsche recalls 918 Spyder Supercar for a "precautionary Service Shop Inspection"

Precautionary recall: affected customers are being contacted directly

Porsche has issued a global recall for 918 Spyder models that have already been delivered. This precautionary recall for a service shop inspection affects 47 vehicles in the UK. 

The recall is because the electric wiring harness for the radiator fan in vehicles manufactured up until the end of April 2015 could be damaged by a carbon-fibre component.

The wiring harness will be examined and optimally remounted in the work shop.

The cause was identified following a detailed examination of complaints. Corrective measures were then immediately taken in manufacturing. 

The owners of the affected vehicles are being contacted directly by their Porsche contact partner. The workshop visit, which will be free of charge, will be arranged as quickly as possible and will likely require the vehicle to be left in the workshop for half a day.

Northern Irishman Kris Meeke wins his first World Championship round

• Northern Irishman Kris Meeke wins his first World Championship round
• First British WRC winner since Colin McRae in 2002
• Welshman Elyfn Evans claims maiden podium finish

Kris Meeke yesterday became the first British driver to win a round of the FIA World Rally Championship for more than a decade. The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland made his big breakthrough in Argentina with an historic victory on round four of this year’s WRC. He is the first British winner since Colin McRae’s final victory back on the 2002 Safari Rally.

The Dungannon man, co-driven by Irishman Paul Nagle, led from virtually the start and after four days of intense and gruelling competition, he finished 18.1 seconds ahead of his Citroën team-mate Mads Østberg.

Adding further to British delight, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Daniel Barritt finished third in their M-Sport-run Ford Fiesta RS. It was the promising young Welshman’s first-ever WRC podium and delivered the first double podium for British drivers since New Zealand in 2001.

Victory also means Meeke becomes just the fourth British driver to win a WRC round – he joins rally legends Roger Clark, McRae and Richard Burns in a very elite club. Clark, McRae and Burns also all savoured success in their home event – a feat the Ulsterman now will be aiming to emulate when the WRC comes to these shores for Wales Rally GB (12-15 November). 

“What can I say? It’s been a long road… and the man who did most is not here,” said an emotional Meeke dedicating his landmark success to the late McRae who was the Northern Irishman’s mentor earlier in his career.  

Confidence-boosting performances from both Meeke and Evans is another major boost to the sport in this country and will generate even more interest in the UK’s concluding round of this year’s WRC.

“This is a great day for British rallying and we send our congratulations to both camps,” confirmed Ben Taylor, managing director of Wales Rally GB. "The whole sport has been excited to have two drivers in the WRC again and now to see Kris on the top step and Elfyn alongside him reinforces that UK rallying is moving in the right direction. 

I'm sure they will both have the podium in their sights when the WRC comes to Wales in November which is an incredibly exciting prospect for everyone connected with our event.”

Home fans don't have long to wait for full details of the competitive route for 2015 Wales Rally GB, which will be revealed in the coming weeks, together with news of a revised ticketing policy.

Britain to pump £15 Billion into new and existing roads, but only AFTER the General Election.

The £15 billion ‘Road investment strategy’ will increase the capacity and improve the condition of England’s roads.

An ambitious £15 billion plan to triple levels of spending by the end of the decade to increase the capacity and condition of England’s roads, was announced to Parliament today (1 December 2014) by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander.

The government is investing in more than 100 new road schemes over this parliament and next, 84 of which are brand new today.

Over 1,300 new lane miles will be added by schemes being delivered over the next parliament on motorways and trunk roads, tackling congestion and fixing some of the most notorious and longstanding problem areas on the network. When 90% of journeys are taking place on our roads this work is vital to help people get on and get around.

These plans are published today in the first ever ‘Road investment strategy’, which has been developed to keep the population connected and the economy growing.

This includes £1.5 billion of investment to add an extra lane onto key motorways to turn them into smart motorways, boosting connectivity between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Yorkshire.

Patrick McLoughlin said:

“Today I am setting out the biggest, boldest and most far-reaching roads programme for decades. It will dramatically improve our road network and unlock Britain’s economic potential.

“Roads are key to our nation’s prosperity. For too long they have suffered from under-investment.

“This government has a long term plan to secure the country’s future and this £15 billion roads programme is demonstration of that. Better roads allow us to travel freely, creating jobs and opportunities, benefiting hardworking families across the country.”

Spending during the next parliament on England’s roads network will be boosted further by maintenance funding worth more than £10 billion across the local and national road network.

New projects announced today include:

• south west: a commitment of £2 billion to dual the entire A303 and A358 to the south west, including a tunnel at Stonehenge. This will allow roads users to drive on a dual carriageway from London to within 15 miles of Land’s End
• north east: setting aside £290 million to complete the dualling of the A1 all the way from London to Ellingham, just 25 miles from the Scottish border, to make the Great North Road truly great again
• north west and Yorkshire: driving forward the northern powerhouse by completing the smart motorway along the entire length of the M62 from Manchester to Leeds, together with improvements to transpennine capacity from Manchester to Sheffield, representing the first increase in transpennine capacity since 1971
• north west: committing to improve links to the Port of Liverpool, as part of a plan of 12 projects designed to improve access to major international gateways on which the nation’s international trade depends
• south east: funding £350 million of improvements to the A27 along the south coast, tackling severe congestion at Arundel, Worthing and Lewes – consulting with the local community on options
• east of England: investing £300 million to upgrade the east-west connection to Norfolk, by dualling sections of the A47 and improving its connections to the A1 and A11, building on the recently completed full dualling of the A11 from London to Norwich, to ensure the east of England has the connections it deserves
• London and the south east: improving one-third of the junctions on the entire M25, to aid frustrated commuters stuck in traffic around the capital
• midlands: improving the M42 to the east of Birmingham, improving the connectivity to Birmingham airport, the National Exhibition Centre, the local enterprise zone, and pave the way for the new High Speed 2 interchange station

Chair of the Cabinet Infrastructure Committee and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said:

“World class infrastructure is vital if we are to build a stronger economy, but it matters in other ways to. It invigorates communities and gives people more opportunities to get on in life. This is why I have ensured that this government has prioritised funding roads, and railways, at a high level for future generations.

“For decades our roads have suffered from under investment, so I’m particularly delighted to be able to announce this expansive range of new road schemes today. Investment on this scale is only possible because we have taken the difficult decisions needed to control our public finances and stuck to our recovery plan which is now delivering strong growth and record numbers of jobs.

“These projects, like the scheme on the A303, will help unleash the economic potential of both the regions they serve and of the overall economy.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, said:

“Our Long term-economic plan means today we can invest an unprecedented £15 billion into Britain’s infrastructure to improve repair and expand our roads.

“Our plans will transform some of the country’s most important strategic routes, with ambitious projects to dual the A303, A1, A27 and the A47 as well as spending on important local infrastructure boosting productivity and helping local economies.

“For years our roads have been neglected. Now that this government is fixing the economy, we can afford to invest properly in our roads – unlocking jobs for the future and local growth by creating a road network that is fit for the 21st century.”

As well as increasing capacity and transforming the busiest sections of the network, the government is transforming the Highways Agency into a government-owned company; this will mean funding can be allocated on a longer term basis, saving the taxpayer at least £2.6 billion over the next 10 years.

The strategy also contains measures to improve the lives of communities affected by road upgrades, including:

• £100 million to improve cycling provision at 200 key locations across the network, as well as a commitment to cycle-proof any new schemes being developed
• £300 million environmental fund to mitigate carbon emission and reduce the number of people affected by serious noise by 250,000 - this fund will create new charge points for low emission vehicles every 20 miles across the road network, as well as enhance the landscape, protect sites of cultural or historic heritage, and reduce the impact of improving our roads on wildlife, countryside and habitats
• £100 million to unlock future growth and housing developments

The 84 new road projects outlined today will improve connectivity across the UK, from the north east to the south west. The new investment broken down by region is:

• north east and Yorkshire - 18 schemes worth around £2.3 billion and estimated to create 1,500 construction jobs
• north west – 9 schemes worth £800 million and estimated to create 600 jobs
• midlands – 17 schemes worth £1.4 billion and estimated to create 900 jobs
• east of England – 15 schemes worth £1.5 billion and estimated to create 1,000 jobs
• London and south east – 18 schemes worth £1.4 billion and estimated to create 900 jobs
• south west – 7 schemes worth £2 billion and estimated to create 1,300 jobs

McLaren previews probably the best F1 race, the Silverstone Grand Prix.

The British Grand Prix has been at the heart of Formula 1 since the very beginning. The race kicked-off the sport’s inaugural world championship campaign in 1950 and it’s featured in every subsequent F1 season. Silverstone has been the race’s permanent home since 1987, the track’s intoxicating mix of fast corners making it a firm favourite with drivers and teams alike.

Facts & Stats: Silverstone

The Circuit

Silverstone stages its 50th British Grand Prix this weekend. Since the first (pre-world championship) race in 1948, the track has had numerous facelifts – most recently in 2010 – but it’s retained its high-speed character throughout. With an average speed of 225km/h (140mph), Silverstone is one of the fastest circuits on the F1 calendar. Only one of its 18 corners is taken at less than 100km/h (62mph); the remainder are all medium- or high-speed challenges, with the renowned Copse-Maggotts-Becketts sequence located in the middle sector. Through these six corners a car’s minimum speed doesn’t drop below 215km/h (134mph) and the drivers battle with lateral forces of up to 5g.

The Race

As far as car set-up is concerned, high-speed stability is essential. However, that’s easier said than done because Silverstone is situated on the site of a World War II bomber station and it’s often exposed to high winds. These gusts can unsettle a car and they need to be monitored closely. An added complication for the engineers is the track surface. It’s relatively bumpy and there are several different surfaces around the lap, owing to the number of facelifts that Silverstone has had over the years. To cope with the loads generated through fast corners, Pirelli are taking their two hardest tyres to the race, the Medium (Option) and the Hard (Prime) compounds.

The Team

McLaren has an impressive record at the British Grand Prix. The team has won the race 14 times, with 12 of these victories taking place at Silverstone. Neither of the team’s current drivers has stood on the podium at the track in F1; Jenson Button is looking to make amends this year, while Kevin Magnussen – who drove a McLaren for the first time at Silverstone’s Young Driver Test last year – is relishing the prospect of his first Santander British Grand Prix.

Vital Statistics

British Grand Prix 4th - 6th July Silverstone

Race distance 52 laps (306.198km/190.263 miles) Start time 13:00 (local)/12:00 (GMT) Circuit length 5.891km/3.660 miles 2013 winner Nico Rosberg (Mercedes W04) 52 laps in 1hr32m59.456s (197.566km/h) 2013 pole Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes W04) 1m29.607s (236.673km/h) Lap record Mark Webber (Red Bull RB9) 1m33.401s (227.059km/h) First race 1950 What makes it special: It’s the home grand prix for eight of the 11 teams – including McLaren – and nothing beats the enthusiasm or knowledge of the British fans Wins from pole 16 Track abrasiveness Medium. However, the track surface isn’t homogenous due to the various resurfacing projects carried out in recent years Pirelli tyre choice Medium (Option)/Hard (Prime) 2013 winning strategy 3 stops Fuel consumption Medium. There’s a high average speed at Silverstone, but it’s not too demanding on fuel consumption because there are few hard accelerations from low speed Brakewear Low. There are only a couple of big braking points, and plenty of long straights along which to cool the brakes Weather It’s been warm and dry in recent weeks, but the English weather can change quickly. Irrespective of sunshine, wind is always a factor for the cars DRS zones Two – on the Wellington and Hangar Straights Turbo effect Low, due to the fast and flowing nature of the track Safety Car likelihood Medium. Given the amount of run-off around the track, a 40 percent chance of a Safety Car is surprisingly high. There were two Safety Cars in last year’s race Grid advantage The racing line is on the left-hand-side, so that’s the most advantageous side of the grid on which to line up Pitlane time At 460 metres, the Silverstone pitlane is the longest of the season – estimated to take 24s

McLaren at the Austrian Grand Prix

Wins 14 (1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2008) Poles 7 (1977, 1984, 1985, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005) Fastest laps 7 (1977, 1989, 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, 2008)

Team Talk Jenson Button: Car 22 Age 34 (January 19 1980) GPs 255 Wins 15 Poles 8 FLs 8

“The Santander British Grand Prix is one of Formula 1’s most important races because so much of our sport has been grown and developed using British technology, passion and determination. For any driver, your home grand prix is massively important – but, like Monza and Monaco, Silverstone is special for everyone. “The fast corners of the grand prix circuit aren’t necessarily going to suit our package, but we’re bringing improvements to the car all the time, and we’re now seeing some really positive correlation between the tunnel and the track, which is encouraging for our ongoing development programme. “Finally, and on a personal note, this race is going to be a special one for me because it was always such an important race for my dad. I’ll be wearing a special pink helmet for the race weekend, and I’m hoping people will enter into the spirit of supporting the #pinkforpapa effort to wear something pink on Sunday to honour his memory. He won’t be there this year, but he’ll always be with us in spirit – I hope he brings me some extra luck on Sunday.”

Kevin Magnussen: Car 20 Age 21 (October 05 1992) GPs 8 Wins 0 Poles 0 FLs 0

“I tested at Silverstone last year during the Young Driver Test, so it’s a circuit that I’m already pretty familiar with. It’s a great track, with lots of fast, sweeping turns – really enjoyable, and, with such high-commitment corners, a real challenge to wring the last few tenths from the car. For me, this race weekend will be a particularly important one because it’s the team’s home race – there’s an added pressure to do well in front of your home fans, and the families of many of the people who’ve worked so hard to put our cars on the grid. I know that this race won’t be best suited to our package, but I nevertheless hope we can repay some of their hard work this weekend. “Racing at Silverstone is going to be something special for me: it’s a circuit with some of the richest history in Formula 1. It’s where the world championship started, it’s a race I grew up watching, and it’s a place where you can still feet a solid connection to the past. It’s an honour to be racing at Silverstone’s 50th grand prix this weekend – as a British team, I hope we can do something a bit special to mark the occasion.”

Eric Boullier Racing director, McLaren Mercedes “For McLaren, Britain’s oldest and most established Formula 1 team, the Santander British Grand Prix is the most significant and important event on the calendar. It’s the race that connects us to our roots within British motorsport, and it gives us the opportunity to race in front of tens of thousands of British fans – the most knowledgeable, loyal and passionate motorsport enthusiasts in the world. “As in Austria last month, the high-speed sweeps and esses of Silverstone won’t particularly suit the MP4-29 – our car’s package doesn’t excel around fast, long corners – but there were positives to take away from that race, so I’m hopeful that we can maintain that trend this weekend. “For Jenson, his home race will be an emotional one, and I know that he’ll be pushing for a strong result to please the fans and honour the memory of his father. Kevin, too, knows the importance of racing in front of the team’s home crowd, and is very keen for another positive result. Both drivers have performed fantastically all season, and I know they’ll be pushing as hard as ever at Silverstone this weekend.”