April experiences 13% drop in UK car production

A data report from the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) has revealed a year-on-year 13 per cent decrease of UK car production from April 2010 to April 2011.

The report shows 94,939 vehicles were produced in the 12-month period. But despite this decline in production, physical output for the first four months of 2011 actually rose to 484,326 units – 5.8 per cent higher than the figures for the same January – April period for last year.

According to additional SMMT data both passenger car and commercial vehicle sectors reported a decline in output in April, with a total of 86,306 cars built, down 12.2 per cent.

Paul Everitt, SMMT’s chief executive officer, said: “April’s vehicle and engine production figures reflect the global production challenges resulting from the Japanese earthquake.

“Output was down across the car, commercial vehicle and engine sectors as parts shortages interrupted regular manufacturing schedules. All manufacturers are working hard to overcome supply shortages and we expect any downturn to be short lived.”

As much as 83.2 per cent of total vehicle production in April was purely production for exports and this bodes well for the future of the British motor industry.

“The outlook for the UK motor industry is extremely good and this should generate new opportunities for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers,” said Everitt.

An increasing number of exported vehicles may be a result of a growing used car market in the UK. ASM Auto Recycling brings together the UK’s largest independent motor salvage dealers to provide tens of damage-repairable vehicles every week at a car salvage auction.

Not only are vehicle owners becoming more savvy in their approach to buying used car parts as a replacement for existing broken or worn parts, many car enthusiasts look for online salvage auctions to pick up a bargain. Several auctions contain high-value vehicles that can be restored to legal roadworthy order, potentially earning enthusiasts a profit in the process!

Motorists to face £6 a gallon at the pump

The soaring cost of oil due to the unrest in Libya is set to hit UK motorists further with many petrol stations across the country now charging £6 a gallon.

The price is only likely to rise with the continuing leadership crisis in Libya. Industry experts predict that motorists will pay as much as 10 pence per litre more after Easter, with the Government also set to raise fuel duty.

It is quite possible that the cost of oil will reach its highest level since August 2008 – the height of the global recession.

Paul Watters of the AA, said: “Drivers are going to have to brace themselves for a significant increase in fuel prices, perhaps as much as 2p a litre in coming days.

“Further increases will depend on how long troubles in the Middle East and North Africa continue. We hope that, once these subside or OPEC intervenes to boost oil supply, a drop in oil prices will filter through as quickly to the pumps.”

As a consequence of the likely fuel price increases motorists are growing increasingly desperate to find cheaper alternatives to purchase and maintain a car.

One emerging option is to acquire a vehicle from online salvage auctions. With a choice of over 500 cars, vans and bikes for salvage every week, there is a great variety of models to suit a variety of budgets.

Motoring enthusiasts capable of getting their hands dirty can also repair a salvage car themselves using our used car parts that are significantly cheaper than brand new parts and are recycled and tested to legal roadworthy standards.

You can also reap significant financial rewards by purchasing a popular salvage car model. Once restored to roadworthy condition the vehicle will instantly increase in value, providing an excellent profit.

Extra £15m given to fix potholes on Scotland’s roads

Scotland’s motorists will breathe a sigh of relief after the Scottish Government sanctioned a further £15m to cover the impact of the harsh winter conditions on the country’s highways.

A Government spokesman confirmed that the money would be instantly available for use on local roads that require urgent repair as well as covering the large maintenance costs incurred keeping the roads free from snow and ice during the arctic blast.

As much as a 10 per cent of Scotland’s road network has been earmarked for urgent repair work. This is due to the severe weather conditions that have created dangerous potholes and cracks which can cause serious damage to vehicles.

A spokesman for the council body, Cosla, suggested that the Government could have done more to improve winter driving conditions.

He said: "By mid-December Scotland’s councils had fully spent their roads’ winter maintenance budgets.

"At the end of the winter we anticipate that the recent severe weather and the need to keep Scotland moving safely will mean councils will overspend in this area by some £60m, with another similar amount spent on remedial works such as filling pot holes and other such repairs.

"We welcome the Scottish government’s announcement of a total of £15m to help. However, Scottish councils were looking for more support, in order that they are able to provide the same level of service when responding to any further adverse weather and its effects on our roads."

Car accidents were rife during the winter on Scotland’s snowy and icy motorways and many vehicles were written-off as a result. However, there are also an increasing number of damage repairable vehicles collected each and every week. Car salvage auctions are a great way of picking up a vehicle at a reduced cost, especially if you know how to get them back in roadworthy condition.

ASM Auto Recycling supplies used car parts for almost any vehicle and to anywhere in the world.

Save Money with a Salvage Car

If you don’t have a bottomless pit of money then you may well be priced out of the new car market. However, don’t despair as many people are turning to salvage cars as a cost-effective alternative to getting on the road. While the term ‘salvage car’ conjures up images of burnt out, written-off vehicles, many are actually not beyond repair.

Buying and repairing a salvage car can be a very rewarding process and can save you a significant sum of money in the process. Many people believe that a vehicle labelled as a salvage car by an insurance company will be more expensive to repair than the cost of the vehicle itself.

However, the sole purpose of this label is to protect potential buyers so that they are fully aware of the vehicle’s history and any future problems that may occur.

Salvage car parts are readily available and can be purchased at very reasonable rates from specialist outlets. For motoring enthusiasts and experts salvage cars are a great hobby, not to mention a potential investment. In fact many people now specialise in rebuilding salvage cars and resell the vehicle for a vastly increased sum.

It is possible to pick up a bargain at a salvage auction, where many motoring enthusiasts gather to pick up a bargain that most auto dealers will simply not touch. Salvage cars are also readily available online, with full access to the car’s history and images of damage sustained.

Following recent reports of increased used car prices due to the New Year VAT increase, salvage cars are the smart vote for economical motorists. Identifying and repairing a low mileage salvage car is incredibly satisfying!

Take part in an online salvage auction with ASM Auto Recycling, part of the Motorhog online auction. Select from a choice of over 500 cars, vans and bikes for salvage every week. All salvage cars have been inspected by qualified engineers and passed as suitable for legitimate repair.