Councils get new powers to tear down pointless road signs

A press release from the Department for Transport tells us that, from today, councils will have powers to remove unnecessary and out-of-date road signs. If left in place, redundant signs can confuse and distract motorists. The Traffic Signs Regulations & General Directions 2016, which were made on 16 March 2016, also do a lot of other good things.



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European Parliament publishes appraisal of Type Approval impact assessment

The SMMT's "Week in Brussels" reports that the European Parliament has published its initialappraisal of the European Commission’s impact
assessment on new type approval and market surveillance rules.







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VW said to pay at least $10 billion in U.S. diesel-cheating deal

According to Bloomberg, VW will pay over $10 billion to settle claims from regulators and consumers arising out of the Dieselgate scandal.This includes the cost of buying back a substantial number of cars - 600,000 being affected in total in the U.S. The agreement was reached days ahead of a deadline imposed by Judge Charles Breyer. It is not entirely clear what owners can expect to receive, but it looks pretty generous.

In Europe, where regulation is less rigorous, the manufacturer has got away with a software fix and in some cases the addition of a tube to modify airflow. No compensation has been offered to customers - or, more importantly, to dealers, although they have received some support.

In Re: Volkswagen “Clean Diesel” Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2672, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco).


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SMMT statement on government emissions tests - SMMT

SMMT statement on government emissions tests:

Industry is assessing the results from the tests carried out by government as part of the review announced in the autumn. What is immediately clear is that the vehicles tested met the legal standards with no new evidence that any other manufacturer has used any kind of lab cycle test recognition technology.

Read the rest of the statement on the SMMT website.

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Used car website backs calls for action on mileage fraud - Car Dealer Magazine

Trusted Dealers, a used-car website part-owned by the NFDA, has called for action on mileage fraud according to Car Dealer magazine.Nothing very surprising about that, but the additional pressure on the government to do something about the problem is certainly helpful.


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Automakers welcome new EU data protection rules

ACEA - European Automobile Manufacturers' Association has issued a press release welcoming the new General Data Protection Regulations, adopted yesterday by the European Parliament. Now it only remains to be seen whether the UK will stay a member of the EU long enough for the reformed regime to apply to us ...



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U.S. dealerships owner sues Volkswagen over diesel emissions scandal | Reuters

U.S. dealerships owner sues Volkswagen over diesel emissions scandal | Reuters

U.S., Volkswagen may not reach emissions deal by April 21 - government official | Reuters

U.S., Volkswagen may not reach emissions deal by April 21 - government official | Reuters

Bentley Motors Ltd v GTI Corporation [2016] EWCA Civ 148 (08 February 2016)

Bentley Motors Ltd v GTI Corporation [2016] EWCA Civ 148 (08 February 2016)  is obviously a case of some interest to the motor industry - but in the overall scheme of things not an important case. It's not even a trial of the matter, only an application for permission to appeal against a refusal to grant an interim injunction. Bentley had sought the injunction against the defendant, a parts supplier, following a major reduction in the orders which the car-maker anticipated placing for the defendant's parts. The defendant had responded by raising its prices. The judgment here involves consideration of the balance of convenience, and in the end the judge saw no reason to give permission to appeal, which seems fair enough.

US: Carlson vows to press NADA's fight against regulation

Carlson vows to press NADA's fight against regulation

US VW dealers mobilize to head off lawsuits

VW dealers mobilize to head off lawsuits,  reports Automotive News from the NADA conference. Law suits against the manufacturer, that is: in other words the dealers are trying to agree compensation.

HPI applauds Government pledge to close down legitimate clockers

HPI applauds Government pledge to close down legitimate clockers, according to the organisation's own press release. The pledge came from Rt Hon Anna Soubry MP, the consumer minsister, although I can't locate an official press release - and yes, I noticed the date, but there are sources from the day before too so I think it must be genuine.