Fast lane
There's a race going on between the world's two largest auto makers, China and the United States, and the People's Republic is out in front. Host Carmel Crimmins talks innovation, protectionism, competition and who gets left behind with Reuters Greater China bureau chief Kevin Krolicki and global autos editor Brian Thevenot. Tortoise economies, and hot pot in cars to come.
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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
'Great British Energy solar panels' for schools were made in China
The first schools in England to install what the government described as "Great British Energy solar panels" were made in China, the BBC has first 11 schools involved in the GB Energy scheme bought solar panels from Aiko and Longi, two Chinese government said the scheme was "the first major project for Great British Energy - a company owned by the British people, for the British people".Labour MP Sarah Champion said GB Energy should be buying solar panels from companies in the UK rather than China, where there have been allegations of forced labour in supply chains. "I'm really excited about the principle of GB Energy," she told BBC News. "But it's taxpayers' money and we should not be supporting slave labour with that money. And wherever possible, we should be supporting good working practices and buy British if we can."She added: "That means that yes, unfortunately, in the short term, solar panels are probably going to be slightly more expensive."There are solar panels made around the world in Taiwan, Canada, even in the UK."Longi and Aiko both told the BBC they forbid forced labour in their production and supply is the world's leading producer of solar panels and the suppliers in the Xinjiang region have been linked to the alleged exploitation of Uyghur this year, the law was changed to ban GB Energy from investing in renewables if there is evidence of modern slavery in their has dominated the market and, according to the International Energy Agency, the country's global share in all the manufacturing stages of solar panels exceeds 80%.Champion, who is chair of the International Development Select Committee, said "abuse in renewable supply chains is insidious and hard to root out".But she urged ministers to exclude known human-rights offenders from winning public contracts.A GB Energy spokesperson said all of the solar contracts issued under the schools initiative complied with the UK's modern slavery rules. The Xinjiang challenge Up to 50% of the world's supply of polysilicon - a key component in solar panels - is estimated to come from the Xinjiang Candlish is the director of GB-Sol, which calls itself the only manufacturer of conventional solar panels in the said polysilicon was "a key social issue facing our industry, with the risk of forced labour in the main mining areas".He added: "The global solar market is so dominated by China that it is difficult to avoid buying Chinese if you want the low cost energy and low carbon benefits of solar PV."Many businesses and governments - including the UK's - buy Chinese solar panels because they are cheaper than those made thirds (68%) of the solar panels imported by the UK came from China in 2024, according to HMRC trade data. That's an increase on the figure in 2023, when Chinese products accounted for 61% of UK solar imports.A report by Sheffield Hallam University in 2023 linked various solar companies to suppliers in the Xinjiang of the report's authors, Alan Crawford, said the general lack of transparency in the entire solar supply chain was greater now than it was in 2023, when his Over-Exposed report was published."Companies that were willing to comment are now silent," he said. 'Ethical supply chains' GB Energy is a state-owned company that was set up by the Labour government to invest in renewables, such as solar its first big investment, GB Energy is spending about £200m on rooftop solar for 200 schools and NHS hospitals across the first tranche of this funding has been spent on the Chinese solar panels for the 11 Department for Education told the BBC which companies had made the solar panels in response to a freedom of information request.A GB Energy spokesperson said the company would "lead the way in ethical supply chains" and insisted there was "no place for forced labour or unethical practices in the UK's energy transition".The spokesperson added: "That is why we are introducing a statutory duty on Great British Energy to prevent modern slavery in its supply chains, and reviewing supplier transparency and disclosure standards to ensure confidence in all public-facing renewable programmes."All contracts issued under this schools and hospitals solar initiative complied with UK procurement rules, including extensive requirements under the Modern Slavery Act."GBE will seek to uphold these requirements in its contracting arrangements and are actively engaging with international partners to raise the bar globally on solar supply chain accountability." China has been accused of committing crimes against humanity against the Uyghur population and other mostly-Muslim ethnic groups in the north-western region of state-sponsored programmes, detainees are forced to produce goods including polysilicon, a core ingredient in solar panels, according to the US Department of Chinese government has denied all allegations of human rights abuses in and Aiko are both members of the Solar Stewardship Initiative, which is a scheme designed to develop confidence in the supply chain and the responsible sourcing of solar Aiko spokesperson said the company was "committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical business conduct and responsible sourcing"."We take any concerns related to human rights and labour practices seriously and expect our suppliers to do the same," the spokesperson said."As part of our ongoing efforts, we engage with suppliers to promote transparency and continuous improvement in line with international guidelines. We are also closely monitoring global supply chain developments and remain committed to working with stakeholders to support a fair and sustainable solar industry."Longi said it regretted the findings of the Sheffield Hallam University report and "categorically affirms that forced labour has no place within our supply chain".A company spokesperson said the conclusions in the Over-Exposed report "may not fully reflect the comprehensive measures Longi has implemented to ensure full compliance with international labour standards"."Independent third-party audits play a critical role in verifying compliance and identifying potential risks," the spokesperson said."While the complexity of global supply chains presents challenges, Longi remains steadfast in its efforts to eliminate any risks associated with forced labour."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
TONY HETHERINGTON: Dad's £54,000 van has a brake fault but he can't get a refund
Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms S.L. writes: My father purchased a new Mercedes Vito from LSH Auto in Stockport. This is a high-spec five-seater vehicle which he and my mother bought for £54,344, intending to take the family to France this summer. Soon after purchase, it became apparent that the van has a grave fault with its automatic emergency braking system. Now LSH Auto has the van, which my father took back, and his money. Tony Hetherington replies: The van's fault is pretty frightening. It would brake suddenly and violently when there were no other vehicles near it and no objects in its path. Your father contacted LSH Auto for advice and took the van back to be checked. The same random braking then happened while one of the dealer's engineers was at the wheel. This was so dramatic he ruled it could not be taken back on public roads. LSH Auto is not some backstreet second-hand car company. It is a Mercedes-Benz dealer with a large, impressive site and its most recent accounts show a one-year turnover of £255 million. Staff contacted Mercedes-Benz in Germany and then told your father that the van had a software problem for which there was no current solution. A new system was needed and this could take six months to a year. Your father, quite reasonably, expected to get his money back, but you told me that Mercedes-Benz wanted LSH Auto to pay, while the Stockport company wanted the Germans to pay. Meanwhile, LSH Auto refused to release the van unless your father signed a legal waiver to agree that if the van caused any injury to anyone, or any damage to other vehicles or property, LSH Auto and Mercedes would not be held liable. Not surprisingly, your father refused to sign, which meant that, when you contacted me, LSH Auto had both the van and the £54,344 – and your family's Channel ferry booking looked as though it had been sunk without trace. I put all this to both LSH Auto and Mercedes. If the van had a fault so serious that it was dangerous to drive, surely this means it was not fit to be sold in the first place? A few hours later, your father received a call from the Stockport dealer, offering a full refund. I received a statement from the firm that did not go this far but did tell me that LSH Auto 'is in active discussion with the customer'. It took about a fortnight for the cash to land in your father's bank account, and for LSH Auto to give me an updated statement saying that management 'has been in active discussions with the customer and has now resolved the concerns raised'. I suspect the delay in paying may have been the time it took the dealer to agree with Mercedes exactly who would foot the bill. Tripadvisor won't take off N.W. writes: I owned a hotel in Blackpool for many years, and as part of our advertising we used the Business Advantage scheme from Tripadvisor. I sold the hotel in January and informed Tripadvisor, but it has just charged me £680 subscription to the scheme. I cannot find a way to cancel. Tony Hetherington replies: Tripadvisor describes Business Advantage as a subscription service that attracts and influences potential customers by adding various bells and whistles to the hotel's page on its website. You paid for Business Advantage with your credit card, so when the subscription was due for renewal, Tripadvisor simply charged your card. When I contacted Tripadvisor, I was told it had no record of your cancellation and it would accept a cancellation only from the hotel's email address. I explained again that you had sold the hotel so had no access to its emails. Tripadvisor's answer was to tell you to ask the new owner to take over the payments. You barely know the new owner, though. I asked Tripadvisor repeatedly whether it plans to carry on collecting payments from you for ever, but it would not answer. You have decided to write off the £680, but I suggest you warn your card issuer of this dispute, in case Tripadvisor collects more payments. And it would do no harm to have your solicitor write to Tripadvisor, making clear you are withdrawing any permission it imagines it has to take more money from you.
Auto Blog
4 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Toyota Prius Generations Overview: From Bland To Grand
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. View post: Aston Martin Valhalla: This Is What a $1M Hypercar Should Look Like Toyota's thrifty hybrid has come a long way While hybrid sales are soaring today, that wasn't always the case. Early hybrids often had gawky styling and were woefully underpowered, whereas today, you can find any number of stylish, affordable hybrids. The Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid, and its evolution is a microcosm of the hybrid segment in general. Once little more than a statement for eco-consciousness, it has flourished into a genuinely desirable compact. Here's a closer look at all five Prius generations, with a focus on the normal Prius, not the smaller Prius C hatchback or larger Prius V that used to be on sale. The Ford Mach 4 could be the brand's first sedan since 2020 Watch More First-Generation (NHW11) Toyota Prius A few years after launching in Japan, the first Toyota Prius arrived in the United States and was produced between the 2001 and 2003 model years. Unlike later Prius models, this first-gen model was a small sedan. Power was derived from a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing just 70 horsepower, and the electric motor added another 44 hp, but quick the original Prius was certainly not. From the start, though, it was extremely efficient, managing 42/41/41 city/highway/combined. Digital readouts for the speed and infotainment gave the interior a high-tech look back in the day, while build quality was typically Toyota solid. At just under $20k, the first Prius followed the Honda Insight as an economical hybrid for the masses. It didn't attempt to set new standards for style or performance, but its efficiency was unbeatable. Second-Generation (XW20) Toyota Prius The second-generation Prius was produced between the 2004 and 2009 model years. Improved in every aspect, it became a liftback design positioned between the Corolla and Camry. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Under the skin, the XW20 introduced a new 1.5L four-pot and electric motor that produced 110 combined horsepower, paired with a CVT. Efficiency was up to 48/45/46 mpg, and it had an impressive range of 547 miles. Performance was better but still meek, with over 11 seconds required to get from zero to 60 mph. A spacious interior that looked futuristic for the period was another plus point for this Prius generation, which underwent a light facelift for the 2006 model year. Sales of the XW20 were much better than the first version, and it's this Prius that became a status symbol for the environmentally-conscious group – or, quite simply, those who wanted to appear environmentally-conscious. Third-Generation (XW30) Toyota Prius Toyota Prius 2010 Toyota Prius 2010 Produced between the 2010 and 2015 model years, the third-gen Prius continued with the liftback body style of its predecessor. It still looks quite odd, but the unique body did help give the car a low drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd, which obviously came with efficiency benefits. A new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor duo combined for 134 hp, while a CVT and front-wheel drive were still standard. Efficiency once again dominated, with the 2010 Prius capable of returning 51/48/50 mpg, and its range was now almost 600 miles. Toyota also sold the smaller, reliable Prius C hatchback from the 2012 model year, which could manage 53/46/50 mpg. For the 2012 model year, a plug-in hybrid version of the Prius was introduced. This one could hit 95 MPGe/50 mpg combined, but the all-electric range was only 11 miles. And, whereas today's plug-ins are almost always more powerful than normal hybrids, the original Prius PHEV still made just 134 hp. Inside, Toyota freed up more cargo space, materials used were nicer, and advanced options like radar cruise control and a solar roof became available. Fourth-Generation (XW50) Toyota Prius On sale between the 2016 and 2022 model years, the fourth-gen Prius saw further advances to the car's battery and electric motor technologies, all aimed at setting new standards for efficiency. The standard model's 1.8L four-pot and electric motor combine for 121 hp, which is actually less than the outgoing model, so it still needs well over 10 seconds to reach 60. Power went to the front wheels via a CVT as usual, but the XW50 eventually introduced the first AWD Prius in late 2018, with an electric motor powering the rear wheels but still failing to turn the Toyota into an exciting performer in any way. In Eco guise, this Prius managed 58/53/56 mpg, while the AWD variant got up to 50 mpg combined. The updated Prius Prime plug-in hybrid really began to distance itself from the normal Prius with this generation, as its all-electric range was now up to 25 miles. Efficiency was up to 133 MPGe/54 mpg combined. For 2019, Toyota introduced a facelifted model that toned down the original XW50's gawky styling. As we'll see in our next entry, this was the last of the Toyota Prius generations with awkward styling. Fifth-Generation (XW60) Toyota Prius After four generations of highly efficient but slow and oddly-styled Prius models, Toyota changed everything when the all-new, current iteration arrived for the 2023 model year. Although still a hatchback, the current Prius is considered one of the best makeovers in modern car design history. It's still a hatchback, but there's a cohesion and Lexus-like premium aura to the new look that no previous Prius came close to. Inside, it's still a high-tech affair with dual screens and the latest infotainment, but rearward visibility is still not great, and the sleeker roofline eats into headroom somewhat. The powertrain is a revelation compared to the older Prius. A new 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor combination makes 194 hp in FWD models and 196 hp in AWD versions. Despite being so much more powerful, efficiency is still exemplary at up to 57/56/57 mpg. The new Prius plug-in hybrid is properly quick, courtesy of a new 220-hp powertrain. It can also go up to 45 miles on electric power alone, while efficiency is 127 MPGe/52 mpg combined. In fifth-gen form, the Prius is a perfect representation of how far hybrids have come. They no longer appeal to a niche audience or require futuristic styling to let everyone know what it is you're driving. Rather, hybrids are now considered as commonplace as any other gas car, just with superior efficiency. And the Prius is finally a car you won't buy for its efficiency alone. FAQs What generation Prius is the most reliable? Being a Toyota, any Prius has the potential to last for many years. However, the fourth-gen model has good ratings and fewer recalls than earlier Prius models. What model year is a gen-4 Prius? The fourth-gen Prius was manufactured between the 2016 and 2022 model years. What year of the Prius is one to stay away from? The 2010 Toyota Prius from the third generation looks like a troublesome one, as it has the most issues on Car Complaints. Excessive oil consumption was the leading problem faced by owners of this particular model. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
