Subaru Impreza is the 2016-2017 Japan COTY

NOT MY WORK. Source: 1, Subaru Worldwide press release and 2) Paultan.org by Danny Tan

The Subaru Impreza has been named 2016–2017 Car of the Year Japan. The fifth-generation Impreza scored 420 points to clinch the award, ahead of the Toyota Prius (371) and B9 Audi A4 (149, wins the Import Car of the Year award). This is the second time Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) has been awarded the honour, following the Legacy’s win in 2003. The Mazda MX-5 was last year’s JCOTY winner.

Photo source: Subaru Worldwide Official.

The latest Impreza made its debut at the New York show in March. In about a month since its launch on October 13 in Japan, the new Impreza outsold its monthly sales target of 2,500 units by more than fourfold, with 11,050 orders.

FHI says that demand from customers switching from other brands has been notable, representing 51% of all orders. This is an indication that the Impreza is now attracting a wider range of customers in the Land of the Rising Sun, the firm suggests.

The new Subaru Global Platform underpins both sedan and hatch versions of the Impreza. It has an increased rigidity of 70% to 100% over the outgoing model, and a lower centre of gravity by 5 mm. The suspension has been setup for better comfort and Active Torque Vectoring also helps improve dynamics. The car is longer and wider than the old one.

Powering the Subaru is a revised version of the FB20 2.0 litre direct-injection boxer-four. With around 80% of parts revamped, the engine produces 152 hp, four horses more than before. The marque’s Lineartronic CVT has enhanced ratio coverage, better acceleration and fuel economy. Symmetrical AWD is standard, of course.

Subaru’s EyeSight suite of active safety functions is available. It is also the first car ever produced by a Japanese brand to include a pedestrian protection airbag as standard.

There's a strong possibility Motor Image Malaysia will CKD the New Impreza.  Fingers crossed.

Source:

1) http://www.media.subaru-global.com/en/news/2351

2) http://paultan.org/2016/12/09/subaru-impreza-is-the-2016-2017-japan-car-of-the-year/

- Article by Danny Tan.

End of article.  Be like me, Don't plagiarize.  If copy also please state the Source and give Credit.

Nissan wins RJC Car of the Year and Tech of the Year awards

YOKOHAMA, Japan – The new Nissan Serena has been named Car of the Year for 2016/2017 by the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC).

Additionally, RJC’s Technology of the Year award went to ProPILOT, the all-new autonomous driving technology which debuted in the Serena.

The final round of voting for the RJC Car of the Year awards took place on November 15.

Explaining the decision to give both awards to Nissan, the RJC committee noted: “The Serena comes with a host of new features that significantly improve ease-of-use. It boasts a hands-free door that can be activated simply by sliding your foot under the vehicle, a dual-stage rear door that lets you load and unload bags even in tight spaces, and side-sliding second row seats, which make it a lot easier to get into and out of the third row.”

On the ProPILOT system, RJC commented: ”ProPILOT, a single-lane autonomous driving technology that automatically controls the accelerator, brakes and steering wheel, significantly reduces driver workload during traffic jams and long drives on highways. We feel that this system represents a vital technological stepping stone towards achieving full-scale autonomous driving in the future.”

Since its launch in August, the fully redesigned Serena has been well-received by customers, with more than 30,000 orders received.


Original press release for the new Serena:
https://newsroom.nissan-global.com/releases/160824-01-e

Toyota HiLux fails emergency swerve test – UPDATE

Not My work: Article written by Mike Costello.  source:
 http://www.caradvice.com.au/493858/toyota-hilux-fails-emergency-swerve-test/

The Toyota Hilux, Australia’s top-selling light commercial, has dramatically under-performed in a European extreme handling evaluation called the ‘moose test’.

Swedish publication Teknikens Värld put the new-generation Toyota HiLux through the test last month and found something “seriously wrong”.

The test saw the publication (which regularly conducts such a manoeuvre) load the car to 830kg, drive to 60km/h and then aggressively swerve left and right.
The test is designed simulate an extreme evasive manoeuvre under load. The reason for the name is self-evident: moose are huge, and are to be evaded.

(Photo Credit: Glenn Lindberg/Teknikens Värld)

As you can see in the image, the Toyota dangerously cocked its right wheels before driver Oskar Krüger pulled it into line.

The problem was deemed to be a result of tyre grip and the absence of an anti-rollover system, given the suspension didn’t bottom out.

The red test car was running on 265/60 tyres on 18-inch wheels (like those on the popular SR5 spec in Australia).

A later test with less grippy 265/65 hoops on 17s yielded a slightly better result, though the inside wheel still raised up. Both sported traction control.

Rivals such as the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Nissan Navara, Volkswagen Amarok and Isuzu D-Max went over the same test at slightly higher speeds without anywhere near the same drama.

Staff reporter Linus Pröjtz slammed the HiLux, saying that little had changed since the previous iteration was tested in 2007.

“Nine years has passed, nothing has evolved. This extremely dangerous behaviour shows itself at 37mp/h, the competitors like Amarok and Navara can do it at 42mp/h and are not showing anything close to that behaviour,” he said.

The conclusion drawn? “Something is seriously wrong with Toyota’s dynamic security, and the result depends on the tires the car has”, the testers said.

UPDATE: Toyota Sweden responded to the test with the following statement:

“Based on all the tests carried out during development, we are confident that the Toyota Hilux is a safe vehicle.

“As we understand, you have performed an evasive manoeuvre tests in your newspaper testing protocols on a series pickups, including the Toyota Hilux.

“You have informed us that the Toyota Hilux is not living up to your expectations. We were surprised by the test results, and we will take your assessment very seriously, just as we take the capacity for evasive manoeuvres as serious in the development of our vehicles.

“Hilux has been repeatedly tested according to ISO 3888 standard for evasive action test during the development of the model and then have passed the tests successfully.

“Several technical parameters have an impact on the outcome of an evasive manoeuvre, so we want to better understand the exact parameters for your test.”

We have contacted Toyota Australia for comment.

The HiLux sold here has standard traction and stability control, airbags for all occupants, reversing camera and the maximum five-star ANCAP crash rating.

UPDATE:

Toyota Australia statement.

“At Toyota, the safety and security of our customers remains our number one priority.

 “Toyota takes the report published by the Swedish automobile magazine, Teknikens Värld, on this emergency-avoidance test seriously and we are currently in discussions with the publication to find out additional details about the test.”

MORE: Teknikens Värld source story
MORE: Toyota HiLux comparison tests against all rivals

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  Again, This is not my work. Source:

1) http://teknikensvarld.se/nya-toyota-hilux-ar-nara-att-valta-338160/

2)  http://www.caradvice.com.au/493858/toyota-hilux-fails-emergency-swerve-test/

Peter Schreyer new president of Kia

Peter Schreyer new president of Kia (1st Non-Korean president)

By IOL Motoring Staff

SOURCE: CLICK ME! 

Peter Schreyer, the design guru who led Kia's transformation, has been appointed president - the first non-Korean in the company's history to hold that title.

Schreyer, 59, joined Kia in 2006 from the Volkswagen Group to create a new design-led product strategy for the brand and quickly became known for his “Tiger-nose” family look.

Since then the design team, based in Russelsheim, Germany, has unveiled a series of concept cars and dramatic new products including the latest Sportage, the new cee'd family, larger models for sale in the Korean domestic, such as the Optima and Quoris, and mass-market models such as Picanto and Rio.

Schreyer has publicly commented on his commitment to Kia and his desire to remain with the company to continue the challenge of making Kia the most design-focused Korean car manufacturer.

The final production model in Kia's range to come under his design philosophy - the Carens MPV - will be released in 2013, along with the first sporty model in the cee'd range.

END OF SOURCE!

MY (Jeff's) COMMENT:

Congratulations Mr. Shreyer on your promotion!  A Well deserved one.  Kia shows that they are NOT RACIST by appointing a German as President.  First time in Korean GLC history a Non-Korean become President.  BRAVO KIA!!!  

Sadly, In Malaysia, Kia's best avoided.  No thanks to NAZA KIA.  NAZA's Aftersales of NAZA KIA cars SUCKS!!!  Heard a friend of mine's Kia Sportage side mirror kena langgar, took 2 months for part replacement!  And it's NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY!!! Cost almost RM2k for replacement. 

So like my Secondary Handphone brand says "NOKIA" (At least in Malaysia)!!!

Nissan Note wins RJC 2013 Car of the Year Award

Nissan Note wins RJC 2013 Car of the Year Award

Nov. 15 – Yokohama – Nissan’s all-new Note only rolled off production lines this summer, but the second generation of the popular hatchback has already won its first major award.

Nissan's award-winning Note

The Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan this week crowned the car RJC 2013 Car of the Year, beating off stiff competition from Mazda’s CX-5 and Suzuki’s new Wagon-R.

The Note, with fuel economy as much as 40% higher than its predecessor, has also won plaudits for combining improved performance and styling.

Global Chief Marketing Manager for the Nissan Note, Yosuke Iwasa

“It’s a great privilege we’re honored to be awarded the RJC Car of the Year,” says Nissan Global Chief Marketing Manager Yosuke Iwasa.

“Honestly speaking, the new Note is a well-balanced car. It’s got good roominess and we offer a high level of fuel economy. I think this type of vehicle will be highly evaluated by RJC members.” 

Note’s victory follows the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, which won the same award a year ago, and may be a sign of developments ahead.

On sale in Japan now, versions of the new model debut in Europe and North America next year, with Nissan banking on big recognition for the compact car globally.

Mazda CX-5 is ‘Car of the Year Japan 2012-13’

Mazda CX-5 is ‘Car of the Year Japan 2012-2013’

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda Motor Corp.’s compact crossover SUV, the CX-5 has been named the 2012-2013 “Car of the Year Japan.” The award was announced by the Japan “Car of the Year” committee last Nov. 29.

The CX-5 was the first model to adopt the full suite of Mazda’s SKYACTIV*1 technologies including the engine, transmission, body and chassis. It offers a predictable and refined driving experience together with outstanding environmental and safety performance. It is also the first model to fully embody Mazda’s new design theme: KODO-Soul of Motion. With finely honed vitality and dynamism, its styling is reminiscent of a cheetah about to pounce on its prey.

The CX-5-equipped with Mazda’s new-generation SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine boasts powerful driving comparable to a 4.0-liter V8 gasoline engine vehicle thanks to 420 Nm of maximum torque. At the same time, it achieves an SUV class-topping fuel economy rating*2 of 18.6 km/l (JC08 test cycle mode with FWD model).

In approximately nine months since sales of the CX-5 started in February, Mazda has received 37,000 orders—equivalent to more than three years of sales at the anticipated volume of 1,000 units per month—with sales continuing to go strong.

All passenger vehicles with an expected annual sales volume of over 500 units, announced or launched in Japan between Nov. 1, 2011 and Oct. 31 this year are eligible for this year’s Japan Car of the Year award. The last Mazda to be named the Car of the Year Japan was the MX-5 (known as Roadster in Japan) in 2005. The CX-5 is the fourth Mazda to win the award.

Mazda executive officer Kiyoshi Fujiwara commented: “We are thrilled to have the CX-5 receive such a coveted award and appreciate the warm support and encouragement of our fans. Spurred on by this honor, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to the task of crafting cars that only Mazda can, in order to continue winning the support of our fans and customers into the future.”

SOURCE: Click me!

Condolence: Sergio Pininfarina

In memoriam Sergio Pininfarina

SOURCE: Click me!

3 July 2012, Daily Telegraph UK

Sergio Pininfarina, who has died aged 85, crafted sleek Ferrari race cars and created some of the most influential and elegant car designs of the 20th century.

Sergio Pininfarina with a Ferrari model in 1959 Photo: AP

When Sergio Farina, as he then was, began playing a leading role in his father’s Turin-based design and coachbuilding business in the mid-1950s, annual production at the company was fewer than 1,000 handcrafted units. By the end of the century, annual production had reached nearly 50,000 units and the company had grown to three manufacturing plants.

Sergio became best-known for his partnership with Enzo Ferrari, for whom he designed a series of beautifully sculpted models, including the 410 SA (1959); the 1965 Dino Berlinetta Speciale (Sergio’s own favourite); the Ferrari Testarossa (1984); the F40 (1987); and the Enzo (2002).

He also won important contracts with other manufacturers. The 1975 Lancia Beta Montecarlo, the 2003 Maserati Quattroporte, the 1986 Cadillac Allante and the 1995 Bentley Azure were among a range of high-end cars wearing the Pininfarina insignia.

As a young man Pininfarina had become convinced that the family business needed to evolve from making handmade units for a few wealthy people to products for a more general market. Under his leadership the firm diversified into a range of extremely successful high-volume models, including the Fiat 124 Sport Spider, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider and the Peugeot 406 coupe.

Pininfarina was never content to rest on his laurels and always kept abreast of the latest technology, becoming an early advocate of the need to reduce car emissions and increase fuel economy. He was excited by the concept of hybrid vehicles and, in 1972, opened the first wind tunnel in Italy. The company now has a high focus on electric cars.

Sergio Farina was born on September 8 1926 in Turin, where, four years later, his father Battista “Pinin” Farina would found his coachbuilding works as the Carrozzeria Pinin Farina. The company specialised in building car bodies for individual customers or in small production runs.

Even before he officially joined the business, Sergio was involved in helping his father. In 1946, as Italy was barred from participating in the Paris Motor Show, the two set off from Turin for France driving two new cars, an Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 S and a Lancia Aprilia cabriolet. When they reached the Grand Palais in Paris they parked the cars in front of the entrance to the show, stealing the limelight from the exhibits inside.

After graduating in Mechanical Engineering from Turin Polytechnic in 1950, Sergio joined his father’s company and quickly became involved in all aspects of the business, from design to engineering and manufacturing. The following year his father put him in charge of the new account he had just signed with Ferrari: “I was scared to death because Enzo Ferrari was already a legend in car racing and notorious for being difficult to deal with,” Sergio recalled in 2006. But Pininfarina’s good nature and design skills impressed the great man and helped to cement a lasting partnership. In 1955 Sergio was instrumental in the foundation of a long and fruitful association with the French manufacturer Peugeot.

By 1961 he had been promoted to managing director, and the same year the family surname was changed (by presidential decree) from Farina to Pininfarina. After his father died in 1966, Sergio became chairman.

For the next 40 years Sergio Pininfarina led from the front, making the final decision on every project as the company turned out a series of stunningly elegant creations. In 2006 he stepped down as chairman of the company, to be succeeded by his oldest son, Andrea, who was killed in a motorcycle accident the following year. The current chairman is Sergio’s younger son, Paolo.

Sergio Pininfarina served as head of Italy’s industrial employers’ confederation, Confindustria, from 1988 to 1992 and was made a Life Senator of Italy in 2005.

He is survived by his wife, Georgia, and by his son and daughter.

Sergio Pininfarina, born September 8 1926, died July 3 2012

BMW and Hyundai in cost-sharing talks

 (Reuters) - BMW is in talks with South Korean automaker Hyundai to help shoulder the 1-2 billion euros ($1.3-2.6 billion) in costs for developing new engine families, German industry newsletter Automobil Produktion reported on Thursday.

Hyundai Chairman Chung Mong-koo's son and heir apparent, Chung Eui-sun, had met a small group of top BMW managers in Munich, Automobil Produktion said, without citing sources.

A spokesman declined to comment on the report.

However, Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer earlier dampened speculation BMW would extend its partnerships beyond PSA , Toyota, Daimler and possibly GM , should ongoing talks with the U.S. automaker prove fruitful.

"Further co-operation partners are currently not foreseen," Reithofer told reporters on Thursday.

BMW had said in March it was working on a new engine architecture that would improve economies of scale for its three, four and six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

Further readings:
http://paultan.org/2012/05/08/bmw-and-hyundai-rumoured-to-be-in-engine-tie-up-talks/

Honda Thailand scraps over 1,000 flood-damaged vehicles

Honda Thailand scraps over 1,000 flood-damaged vehicles

BANGKOK: Honda began destroying 1,055 cars in Thailand to reassure customers that no vehicles damaged in the country’s recent flood crisis will ever be sold.

 

The scrapping process at Honda’s plant in the central province of Ayutthaya is expected to take one month, the company said in a statement.

The plant is located in the Rojana Industrial Park, where heavy flooding in early October brought production to a halt and aerial pictures showed hundreds of new cars submerged in muddy water.
“While we were able to relocate many new cars that were awaiting shipment to a safe area, 1,055 vehicles that remained in the plant were finally damaged by the flood,” said Pitak Pruittisarikorn, executive vice president of Honda Automobile Thailand.
Most of the cars to be scrapped are mid-sized City sedans and Brio and Jazz hatchbacks. Production has yet to resume at the factory.
Thailand said earlier this month that over 700 people died in the floods, which at their height affected 65 of the 77 provinces in the low-lying nation and forced the closure of seven major industrial parks, disrupting global supply chains.

-AFP

Saab files for bankruptcy

Saab files for bankruptcy

STOCKHOLM: Swedish Automobile N.V. has announced that Saab Automobile AB (Saab Automobile), Saab Automobile Tools AB and Saab Powertrain AB have filed for bankruptcy with the District Court in Vänersborg, Sweden today.

It is expected that the court will approve the filing and appoint receivers for Saab Automobile shortly. Saab said in a statement that it decided to file for bankruptcy "in the best interests of its creditors."

The decision came about after GM, which still owns a number of technology licenses for Saab, blocked the sale of Saab Automobile to Chinese auto maker Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co.

 Swedish Automobile N.V said it does not expect to realise any value from its shares in Saab Automobile and would write off its interest in Saab Automobile completely.

End of Source...

Jeff Lim's Opinion: Another Car Brand killed by GM. What's with GM? Apparently loved to kill car manufacturers. Prior to Saab, GM Already killed "Pontiac", "Hummer", and "Saturn". What a Selfish move to block sales to China. Sigh...

2012 Green Car of the Year winner: Honda Civic Natural Gas

2012 Green Car of the Year winner is the Honda Civic Natural Gas


By Sebastian Blanco RSS Posted Nov 17th 2011 12:10PM

The 2012 Green Car of the Year award was snagged from the electric and diesel jaws of its competitors by the Honda Civic Natural Gas. In a year full of standard gasoline powertrain alternatives, the Civic beat out the Ford Focus Electric, Mitsubishi i, Toyota Prius V and the Volkswagen Passat TDI.

Green Car Journal hands out the award and its rules state that the GCOTY needs to have a "quantifiable environmental achievement," market significance and "newness." Any car that has these clearly defined features and is available for sale by January 1, 2012 can be a nominee, and the list of finalists is whittled down by GCJ editors and selected industry and environmental experts.

Over the last four years, the GCOTY was won by a hybrid (the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid in 2008), diesels (the Volkswagen Jetta TDI in 2009 and the Audi A3 TDI in 2010) and a plug-in hybrid (the Chevrolet Volt in 2011). In our informal poll we put up when the five finalists were announced a month ago, the Focus Electric dominated the field.







VIDEO:

2012 Automobile of the Year: Audi A7

2012 Automobile of the Year: Audi A7
From our January, 2012 issue / By Joe Lorio / Photos by A. J. Mueller


Sometimes, the Automobile of the Year is a dramatic about-face for its manufacturer. Other times, it is a car that breaks new ground technologically. Some years, it is a spectacular upgrade from its predecessor. This year, it's none of those things.

Automobile Magazine's 2012 Automobile of the Year, the Audi A7, does not represent a dramatic change of pace for its maker. Audi has been building handsome, fast, and rewarding luxury cars for some time now. Anchored by Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive, bristling with of-the-moment technologies, and surrounding its passengers with an artfully crafted interior, the A7 is exactly in keeping with the cars that this brand has been turning out. As editor-in-chief Jean Jennings said, "It's the culmination of everything Audi has promised."


Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/1201_2012_automobile_of_the_year_audi_a7/index.html

Floods disrupt auto production in Thailand

BusinessWeek

BANGKOK
Severe flooding has forced a halt to Honda's and Toyota's assembly lines in Thailand that account for about 7 percent of their combined global car production. American automakers Ford and General Motors are faring better.

Typhoon-driven flooding has whipsawed the Southeast Asian country since late July, killing more than 280 people and inflicting billions of dollars in damage. Flood waters from higher ground in northern and central Thailand are now menacing the capital Bangkok.

The disruption to production at Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. comes just as they bounce back from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan that destroyed autos parts suppliers and upended car production around the world.

Source (click me)

Cuba lifts 50-year ban on buying and selling cars

HAVANA: Cuba has authorised auto sales among individuals easing a 50-year-old ban that has helped make the island a living museum of vintage cars.

Until now, Cubans have only been permitted to sell each other vehicles built before the country's 1959 revolution, which has given long life to the US chrome and fin-tail antiques that swarmed pre-revolutionary Havana.

The new regulations, published in the Official Gazette, had been expected as part of a series of reforms being undertaken by President Raul Castro to ease state controls on the economy and encourage some forms of small-scale private enterprise.

The regulations provide for "the transfer of ownership of vehicles for purchase-sale or donation among Cubans living on the island or foreigners who are residents of Cuba."

Ordinary Cubans will still be prevented from buying new cars, which are restricted under the new rules to buyers with dollars or convertible pesos engaged in "work on assignment by the state or in its interest".

But tens of thousands of Cubans who were allowed to buy Soviet-made vehicles through their workplace before 1990 will now be able to sell them legally.

Also on the market will be newer imports that the government has allowed artists, athletes and doctors working in overseas missions in places like Venezuela to bring home with them.

Foreigners living in Cuba will be allowed to buy or import up to two vehicles under the new rules.

Cubans who emigrate - some 38,000 a year - will now be allowed to sell their vehicles or transfer ownership of them to family members.

For retired musician Lazaro Gonzalez, the new measures provide the long-awaited opportunity for him to buy a Russian Lada from his sister, who works in Chile.

"This (transaction) is something normal, which never should have been banned," Gonzalez said. "It's another one of these absurd prohibitions that Raul Castro has removed since coming to power."

Allowing car purchases and sales is seen as among the most important of some 300 reforms adopted in April by the Communist Party Congress, which aimed at keeping the centrally planned system from collapse but stopped short of embracing a market-led economy.

Other measures expected to shake up the lives of ordinary Cubans included introducing the right to buy or sell homes or receive a bank loan.

Most Cubans own their homes and do not pay taxes but have only been allowed to exchange, not sell them until now. Details on the home sales measure should be published before the end of the year, sources said. – Bernama-NNN-Mercopress

Women prefer men to take the lead - in car maintenance

 The Star Motoring: Saturday, July 16, 2011 (SOURCE) 

Women prefer men to take the lead - in car maintenance

LONDON: Women are still passing on the responsibility of car servicing to male counterparts, according to new research from car servicing network, Bosch Car Service.

Just three in 10 women said that they take their own cars for a service, compared with seven in 10 men. While neither men nor women expressed a particular ‘dread’ towards car servicing when asked to compare it with any other household chores, a significantly greater number of women (35%) stated that they were not confident that they would get a good experience from a car service, as opposed to just 24% of men.

“It is clear that there is still a feeling of discomfort amongst women drivers towards taking their cars in for a service, which could be why they are leaving it up to men”, said Bosch Car Service Concept manager, Howard Price.

“The majority of customers in general (70%) already feel confident that they will get a good experience of getting a car serviced, and this is good news for the profession. However, there are still discrepancies according to gender and age; car servicing professionals need to continue to do all they can to build the same levels of confidence among all customers, regardless of whether they are male or female, old or young.”

The survey was conducted to compare drivers’ perceptions and to highlight any concerns amongst the public towards car servicing. Almost half of the women asked stated that they leave car servicing up to the men in their families, with 36% leaving it to husbands, 6% boyfriends and 4% dads.

Bosch Car Service, which has over 500 garages in its British-wide network, recently released the results of its annual customer satisfaction survey, scoring 99% for overall customer experience.

The survey also revealed that three in ten drivers under the age of 24 admitted to letting mum and dad deal with the responsibilities of car maintenance, and just three in ten took their own cars in for a service.

This was significantly less than the percentages from other age groups that take their own cars to be serviced – with all other age groups showing as approximately 50%. In contrast, younger drivers didn’t express any greater concern about car servicing experience in general than any of their older counterparts.

Howard continued: “With younger drivers, the reason for leaving it up to parents is most probably because of inexperience – as well as cost – rather than feeling unconfident in the experience of car servicing.”

Although younger drivers expressed no greater dread or concern about car servicing overall, they were significantly more concerned than any other drivers about garages overlooking faults, with 20% stating this as their biggest concern. This varied significantly with the thoughts of older drivers, who – at aged over 35 – averaged just 8% who had the same concern.

“This could indicate a wider lack of confidence in vehicle maintenance amongst newer drivers”, continued Howard.

“Garages need to reassure younger and newer drivers, and make an effort to explain to them about any problems that are detected in their vehicles to make sure they gain an understanding – and therefore a confidence – in maintaining a car, detecting faults, and staying safe on the roads.”