Automotive News by Autobulbs Direct Ltd

Insurers pay out millions to repair winter car damage like broken car lights

Autobulbs Direct — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Susannah Mayers

Insurers have paid out millions of pounds to cover the repair of vehicle damage, such as broken car lights, caused by the poor weather at the start of the year, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) has suggested.

Some £395 million was paid to cover 268,400 insurance claims made relating to damage caused by the weather in December and January.

According to ABI, many of these claims were from motorists who had caused or sustained accidental damage after struggling on the ice or snow-covered roads.

"Insurers will always respond quickly to the large number of claims that often result from bad weather," said Nick Starling, director of general insurance and health at ABI.

Around £255 million was paid to homeowners and business customers for property damage caused by the snow and rain.

Last month, Sainsburys Car Insurance advised motorists to use their car lights next time it was raining or snowing and to ensure these lights are clean so that they can see and be seen by other road users.

Citroen SM with six front car lights celebrates 40th birthday

Autobulbs Direct — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Tom Benjamin

Citroens luxury sports tourer, the SM, is celebrating its 40th birthday this week.

The vehicle made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1970 and, according to Citroen, was highly regarded for its styling, quality and performance.

It came third in the European Car of the Year Awards in 1971, beaten to the top-spot by the Citroen GS.

The vehicle also received another award in the US the following year – the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award.

It featured six car headlight bulbs with automatic levelling and four power-assisted disc brakes with independent front and rear circuits.

US comedian Jay Leno, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts and author Graham Greene all famously owned Citroen SMs, as did actor Lee Majors.

Other features included a new type of variable assist power-steering and hydro-pneumatic suspension with automatic height correction.

Last month, Citroen launched a seven-strong range of Enterprise vans, including the Nemo, which has clear-lens front car lights that are positioned to avoid minor knocks.

Alpha Romeo models available with new engine and variety of car light surrounds

Autobulbs Direct — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Susannah Mayers

Three of Alpha Romeos models are now available in the UK with the MultiAir engine and a variety of car light surrounds.

The Veloce and Lusso models have the 135bhp version of the new Euro five-ready 1.4-litre MultiAir engine, whereas the Cloverleaf has the 170bhp version, allowing it to reach 62mph in just 7.5 seconds.

Those who like to personalise their vehicles may be interested to learn that a comprehensive list of options, including roof and side graphics, is also available for the three vehicles.

Customisable front car light frames, for example, are available in Titanium Grey, Lucid Chrome, Satin Effect, Opaque Black or body colour.

The Lusso comes with lucid chrome-finish car bulb surrounds and 16 in sports alloy wheels as standard.

Alfa Romeos Giulietta, which has front car lights that use LED technology and a daytime running lights function to improve safety, was launched earlier this month at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Suzuki car lights to shine at 2010 Vitality Show

Autobulbs Direct — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Tom Benjamin

The car lights of Suzuki vehicles will be shining at the 2010 Vitality Show at Londons Earls Court later this month.

Taking place on March 18th to 21st, the health, beauty and wellbeing event has gained Suzuki as its official sponsor.

Visitors will be able to view exhibitions from over 350 companies and they will have to opportunity to win a Suzuki Alto.

Participants in the competition for the car, which will be showcased on stand H430, will simply have to answer five questions.

A colour consultant will also be present at the stand giving visitors a short consultation on which colour in the Suzuki range best suit their personality.

The Alto comes with two-speed front windscreen wiper blades and an intermittent single-speed rear wiper blade as standard.

It also has multi-reflector car lights with headlamp levelling, power steering and electric front windows.

Three other models are to be displayed at the show – the Splash, three-door Grand Vitara and the Swift.

Renaults New Master van, with “large, expressive headlamps” launched

Autobulbs Direct — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Fiona Birkwood

Renault has launched the New Master van, which the company describes as having "large, expressive headlamps".

The New Master has a new 2.3 dCi engine which is available in a choice of three power outputs (100, 125 and 150 hp).

Consumers can now also choose a rear-wheel drive version and one of four length options with a maximum load capacity of 22 metres cubed.

"The muscular wheel arches and blunt bonnet convey a sense of power, while the distinctive forms of the asymmetric rear windows has become one of Masters visual hallmarks," a statement from Renault said.

Also being launched by Renault this year are the Trafic Phase 3 and the New Kangoo Van Maxi.

The New Master is now available to order but the sale date is not until May 7th.

Older models of the Master have ABS as standard and automatic windscreen wiper blades and car lights as optional extras.

Fiat to unveil Doblo Cargo at Food and Drinks Logistics Show

Autobulbs Direct — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Richard Sinclair

Caterers seeking new car bulbs may scrap the idea and go for a whole new set of wheels when they spot Fiats new Doblo Cargo van at the Food and Drinks Logistics Show 2010 later this month.

The show is taking place at the Birmingham NEC from March 21st to 24th and Fiat is using this event to not only reveal its new van but to highlight the benefits of one of its existing and highly praised vehicles, the Fiorino.

Gerry Clarke, director at Fiat Professional, said: "The food and drink logistics industry is a huge market and we are confident we can offer vehicles that are perfectly suited to this kind of work."

The Doblo Cargo is to go on sale in the UK later this month and customers will be able to choose from a 1.4-litre 16v 95bhp petrol engine and three MultiJet 16v diesel engines.

Fiorino is available with a choice of two engines, the 73bhp 1.4 petrol or 75bhp 1.3 MultiJet turbo diesel.

Fiats spacious Doblo car is currently on sale and comes with front car light height adjustment and electric front windows as standard.

MP voices support of quiet night-time deliveries

Autobulbs Direct — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Tom Benjamin

Transport minister Paul Clark has voiced his support of drivers who use their car lights and make quiet night-time deliveries.

Speaking at the Freight Transport Associations Urban Logistics Conference earlier today (March 10th), Mr Clark said that these deliveries can tackle urban congestion, reduce carbon emissions and allow more reliable deliveries without having a negative impact on the lives of residents living nearby.

He went on to say that such night-time deliveries can also save businesses time and money.

"With the adoption of best practice in quiet delivery technology and techniques, a balance can be found between protecting residents and relaxing curfews for a range of locations and store types," he added.

Back in January, the Quiet Deliveries Demonstration Scheme was launched. This Department for Transport-backed initiative requires local authorities to work closely with a retailer and introduce quiet night-time deliveries.

On the subject of night-time driving, Malaysian motorist Mr V Thomas recently wrote in the New Straits Times that those driving in the rain and in the dark would benefit from a fourth speed to windscreen wiper blade controls.

Check car bulbs before getting stuck in queues this Easter

Autobulbs Direct — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Fiona Birkwood

Motorists should make sure their car bulbs are working over the Easter holidays as, according to Trafficmaster, the roads are set to be chock-a-block and they could be left driving home in the dark.

Trafficmaster has predicted that Easter 2010 will be an exceptionally busy time on Britains roads, as families rush in their hoards to take advantage of the first major holiday break of the year.

"After a gloomy winter, both in terms of weather and the economy, we are expecting to see one of the busiest Easter breaks for several years," says Georgina Read at Trafficmaster.

She went on to say that the busiest day across the Easter holiday period is likely to be Maundy Thursday (April 1st).

Trafficmaster anticipates that nearly 20 million vehicles will be on the move over Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Saturday April 3rd.

Last month, GEM Motoring Assist advised couples planning a romantic getaway over the Valentines weekend to check their car lights were all functioning before heading out on the roads.

Motorists can rely less on car lights thanks to government plans

Autobulbs Direct — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Susannah Mayers

Motorists will soon be able to rely on more than their car lights to spot road works, as the government has published plans for new strict road safety rules.

Under the plans published today (March 10th) by transport minister Sadiq Khan, all road works will need to be clearly signposted.

Currently, utility firms already have to provide information at the site of road works, such as a contact telephone number and details of who is carrying out the works, and they have to meet high safety standards.

Todays proposals, however, mean that councils carrying out their own works will also have to abide by these rules and tougher standards on safety for disabled people.

"It is not acceptable for works to be badly signed, left in a dangerous state or put in place without a thought for the needs of road users, particularly people with disabilities," said Mr Khan.

Earlier this month, Mr Khan published plans that would see irresponsible firms who allow their road works to overrun facing penalties of up to £25,000 a day, which is a tenfold increase on the current £2,500 maximum daily charge.

Pothole road accident claims rise by 600%

Autobulbs Direct — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0000

Posted by Richard Sinclair

The number of claims for pothole damage to vehicle car bulbs, windscreens and other fittings on Britains roads has soared by 600 per cent, it has been claimed.

Estimates from AA Insurance suggest that insurers fork out £2.85 million per month for pothole claims.

Simon Douglas, director of AA Insurance explained that this is equivalent to about 1,900 claims.

He added: "But thats just the tip of the iceberg, because it takes serious damage to make it worth insurance claim.

"Garages and tyre centres are dealing with countless thousands of punctured tyres, damaged tracking or broken springs which dont justify making a claim."

In January, motorists were warned about the threat of invisible potholes by Potholes.co.uk, which claims that a combination of wet weather conditions and the hazards has been accompanied by a rise in accidents.

The website claims that potholes filled with water are harder for drivers to spot, until it is too late.