Latest news with #carcompanies
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
No grants available yet on EVs – but Hyundai adds to discounts along with MG, Alfa Romeo and Leapmotor
Two weeks after the government's surprise EV grant went live, there are still no cars listed on the official government website as being available with grant money applied to the list price. However, car makers are jumping in with their own 'EV grants' to avoid a stall in EV sales while car buyers wait to find out which cars are eligible for the government grants. The Electric Car Grant was announced on Monday July 14 and went live on Wednesday July 16. Car makers must apply for the grants, which are available on EVs up to the price of £37,000 and where car makers have signed up to low-carbon Science-Based Targets around manufacturing. Grants of between £1,500 and £3,750 will be available for eligible cars. While the announcement of the EV grant has been broadly welcomed by car makers, it took many of them by surprise, with some learning about the government plan via the media. One car company executive, speaking anonymously to The Independent, also confirmed that dealers were reporting customers cancelling orders until it was clear which cars were, and which weren't, eligible for grants. Hyundai is the latest car maker to offer its own electric grant, with the biggest discount available on Hyundai's smallest model. The Hyundai Inster – recently voted World Electric Car of the Year – gets a £3,750 'grant' bringing the entry-level car's price down to £19,755. There's still an additional £500 off if you go for Hyundai's low-rate PCP finance, too. The rest of the Hyundai electric car range, including models over £37,000, are also getting a £1,500 discount as part of the offer. Buyers of Chinese-made EVs were also left to reconsider their purchases with news that the government wasn't expecting those models to be eligible for the Electric Car Grant. Speaking on Radio Four, Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said, 'We don't expect any cars that are assembled in China to be eligible for this scheme. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards. And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant." The Department for Transport told The Independent: 'We expect dozens of models will be eligible but manufacturers will need to apply for the grant before we can confirm eligibility. We have held multiple calls with vehicle manufacturers to explain vehicle eligibility and how to apply for the grant. These discussions will continue to ensure manufacturers have all the information they need. 'All eligible models will be published on once the application has been approved. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis and as quickly as possible.' Chinese car brands have been quick to react by introducing their own 'EV grants' to stimulate demand among private buyers. Leapmotor was first out of the blocks with its Leap Grant, offering £1,500 off the Leapmotor T03, making it Britain's cheapest car at £14,495, while the Leapmotor C10 family SUV gets a £3,750 discount, taking the price down to £32,750. MG followed with its own EV grant, offering a discount of £1,500 off the MG4 and MGS5 EVs on top of existing offers, while another Chinese brand, GWM, has taken the full £3,750 off its GWM ORA 03 models with its Green Grant, bringing the starting price down to £21,245. It's not just Chinese brands applying discounts, though. Alfa Romeo is offering £1,500 off its Alfa Junior Elettrica range, on top of existing zero per cent finance offers and the promise of a free EV home charger with standard installation. We'll update this story regularly as more news on cars eligible for the EV grant breaks, or we hear of more discounts from car makers on their electric cars.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
No grants available yet on EVs – but Hyundai adds to discounts along with MG, Alfa Romeo and Leapmotor
Two weeks after the government's surprise EV grant went live, there are still no cars listed on the official government website as being available with grant money applied to the list price. However, car makers are jumping in with their own 'EV grants' to avoid a stall in EV sales while car buyers wait to find out which cars are eligible for the government grants. The Electric Car Grant was announced on Monday July 14 and went live on Wednesday July 16. Car makers must apply for the grants, which are available on EVs up to the price of £37,000 and where car makers have signed up to low-carbon Science-Based Targets around manufacturing. Grants of between £1,500 and £3,750 will be available for eligible cars. While the announcement of the EV grant has been broadly welcomed by car makers, it took many of them by surprise, with some learning about the government plan via the media. One car company executive, speaking anonymously to The Independent, also confirmed that dealers were reporting customers cancelling orders until it was clear which cars were, and which weren't, eligible for grants. Hyundai is the latest car maker to offer its own electric grant, with the biggest discount available on Hyundai's smallest model. The Hyundai Inster – recently voted World Electric Car of the Year – gets a £3,750 'grant' bringing the entry-level car's price down to £19,755. There's still an additional £500 off if you go for Hyundai's low-rate PCP finance, too. The rest of the Hyundai electric car range, including models over £37,000, are also getting a £1,500 discount as part of the offer. Buyers of Chinese-made EVs were also left to reconsider their purchases with news that the government wasn't expecting those models to be eligible for the Electric Car Grant. Speaking on Radio Four, Minister for the Future of Roads, Lilian Greenwood, said, 'We don't expect any cars that are assembled in China to be eligible for this scheme. 'The grant is restricted to those manufacturers that reach minimum environmental standards. And, frankly, if you generate a lot of the electricity that powers your factory through coal power stations, then you are not going to be able to access this grant." The Department for Transport told The Independent: 'We expect dozens of models will be eligible but manufacturers will need to apply for the grant before we can confirm eligibility. We have held multiple calls with vehicle manufacturers to explain vehicle eligibility and how to apply for the grant. These discussions will continue to ensure manufacturers have all the information they need. 'All eligible models will be published on once the application has been approved. Applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis and as quickly as possible.' Chinese car brands have been quick to react by introducing their own 'EV grants' to stimulate demand among private buyers. Leapmotor was first out of the blocks with its Leap Grant, offering £1,500 off the Leapmotor T03, making it Britain's cheapest car at £14,495, while the Leapmotor C10 family SUV gets a £3,750 discount, taking the price down to £32,750. MG followed with its own EV grant, offering a discount of £1,500 off the MG4 and MGS5 EVs on top of existing offers, while another Chinese brand, GWM, has taken the full £3,750 off its GWM ORA 03 models with its Green Grant, bringing the starting price down to £21,245. It's not just Chinese brands applying discounts, though. Alfa Romeo is offering £1,500 off its Alfa Junior Elettrica range, on top of existing zero per cent finance offers and the promise of a free EV home charger with standard installation.
Motor 1
15-06-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
'Hertz Would Never:' Man Gets Pulled Over In a Rental. Then He Reaches For the Enterprise Car's Registration
This man was pulled over by police while driving. But he says it's clearly Enterprise's fault. When you rent a car, you know to inspect the vehicle beforehand for any scratches or damage that you don't want to end up getting blamed (or forced to pay) for. But it wouldn't cross your mind to think twice about the car's paperwork, like whether the inspection is up to date, the car is properly registered, or if it's recently been reported stolen. These rental places are legit businesses after all, and you'd expect everything to be above board. Right? This customer found out the hard way that some rental car companies aren't as responsible as you'd expect them to be, and people jumped in the comment section to back him up. What Happened With Enterprise Rent-A-Car? In a viral video with more than 780,000 views and hundreds of comments, content creator Staś (@staseatsstuff) shared the terrible experience he had with Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Enterprise is one of the largest car rental companies in the world, with more than 9,500 branch offices in nearly 100 countries, according to its website . You can rent anything from a practical SUV to a luxury vehicle for just a weekend or up to a long-term rental. Despite its general reputation for good service, some customers have reported issues like overbooking, lack of vehicle availability, unnecessary upselling, and bad communication. And Staś is here to add another glaring issue to the list. 'What rental place gives you a car with a registration expired?' Staś said. In the background, you could see that there was a cop car pulled up behind him. 'Hertz would NEVER,' he added in the caption. Though commenters assured him that Hertz would do him just as dirty or worse. Can You Auto-Renew Vehicle Registration? Some commenters mentioned that it may be the case that the registration had automatically renewed, but that the car just didn't have the updated sticker on it. Most states make it easy for you to renew your car registration online, by mail, or in person. However, automatic renewal is only offered in some states. Some places require supplementary information, like an inspection or smog test, before re-registering, which makes auto-renewal unfeasible. Check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website or give them a call to confirm your options. This Happened to Another Person—It Temporarily Ruined Her Life In 2022, a Baltimore woman was given a ticket for driving an Enterprise rental car with expired tags, the Baltimore ABC station WMAR 2 News reported . While the manager at Enterprise assured her that the issue would be taken care of, a couple of months later, she got mail letting her know her license would be suspended if the ticket went unpaid. Corporate then said they'd take care of it, yet a few months later, the woman was pulled over and informed that her license was suspended over the ticket. 'I apparently got a court date that I didn't get in the mail, so I had missed that and got a failure to appear and got a warrant,' she told the television station. Between a lawyer, fees, and court costs, the Enterprise issue ended up costing Bell $3,000 and more than a year of headaches. Commenters React to the Enterprise Headache Several people in the comment section shared their own similar horror stories. 'Enterprise gave me a car they reported stolen the previous day and I was pulled over at gun point. Still suing,' a person shared. 'Enterprise is also known to scam people by claiming damages when there is none,' another alleged. There have been disputed claims of this nature in the past. 'Yep they did the same thing to me! Half way to our vacation, and stopped for gas and noticed it. Called the local office and they said they would take care of the ticket if we got one!' a commenter wrote. It's unclear what came of this creator's experience. Motor1 reached out to Staś for comment via email and Instagram direct message and to Enterprise via email. We'll update this article if either party responds. Now Trending 'Can't Unsee It:' Why Are Drivers Flipping Their Ford Logos Around? 'Watched Too Much Fast & Furious:' MK4 Toyota Supra Evades Police on Highway. Then a Trooper Conducts 'Insane' PIT Maneuver Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Auto Blog
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Top 5 Vehicles with the Most Standard Safety Features in 2025
Safety is a priority Car shoppers have different priorities: style, performance, comfort, space, fuel efficiency, powertrain type, technology, price, reliability, and safety. Not every one of those aspects appeals to the emotions, and the category of safety might even sound a little boring, but no one can dispute that this is one of the most important things to look for when it comes to car buying. Not long ago, it used to be considered a big deal that your car had anti-lock brakes and airbags. Now, all automakers who sell vehicles in the U.S. are required to provide three-point seat belts, side and front airbags, rearview cameras, LATCH car seat attachment points, and tire pressure monitoring systems. Beyond that, there are no safety requirements, and it's up to each car company to outfit their vehicles the way they choose. 0:03 / 0:09 Audi A5 replaces A4: So, what's changed? Watch More 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 — Source: Hyundai In 2025, automakers are pushing the boundaries of safety tech. Knee airbags, seat-belt pretensioners, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, semi-autonomous hands-free driver assist tech, and driver attention alert are pervasive in the industry. Manufacturers are also adding more standard safety features, making it easier than ever for buyers to drive with peace of mind, without spending extra on optional packages. While advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) were once limited to luxury vehicles or high trims, many brands now include robust safety suites as standard across even their most affordable models. If you're in the market for a new vehicle and prioritize protection, here are the top five vehicles in 2025 that offer the most comprehensive standard safety features. 2025 Honda Accord 2025 Honda Accord Touring — Source: Honda The 2025 Honda Accord ($28,295) has long been a benchmark in the midsize sedan segment, and the 2025 model solidifies that position by offering one of the most extensive standard safety packages on the market. The Accord comes in gas and hybrid trims, and it's extremely family-friendly with plenty of room and great cargo space. Adding an impressive set of standard safety features rounds out the set for one of the best family cars in the history of automobiles. It's also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2025. Learn more here. 2023 Honda Accord — Source: Honda Standard Safety Features: Honda Sensing: Lane Keeping Assist System, Traffic Sign Recognition, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Forward Collision Warning, Road Departure Mitigation System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Front and Rear Parking Sensors Collision Mitigation Braking System Forward Collision Warning Lane Departure Warning Road Departure Mitigation System Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control Rear Seat Reminder Tire Pressure Monitoring System with location indicators Automatic high beam control 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. Why It Stands Out: Honda doesn't hold back on safety, even in the base LX trim. Every Accord gets Honda Sensing, a suite of safety features packaged together as standard equipment. For the base model to receive a comprehensive set of standard safety features is a huge plus for the Accord. 2025 Toyota RAV4 2025 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid — Source: Toyota The Toyota RAV4 ($29,250) is coming to the end of its fifth generation, but it remains one of the best-selling vehicles in the industry and for good reason. It's fuel efficient, reliable, practical, roomy, and very easy to operate thanks to great physical controls. It also has gas, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models with a range of solid power outputs and fuel economies. Every RAV4 gets an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an integrated backup camera. The 2025 RAV4 continues the model's tradition of safety with its comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite that's impressive at this price. Overall, it's a well-appointed family SUV that provides more than you'd expect. Learn more here. 2025 Toyota RAV4 — Source: Toyota Standard Safety Features: Star Safety System: Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Anti-lock Brake System, Electronic Brake-force Distribution, Brake Assist, and Smart Stop Technology Toyota Safety Sense 2.5: Pre-Collision System w/ Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, Road Sign Assist Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking Tire Pressure Monitor System with direct pressure readout and individual tire location alert Blind Spot Monitor Why It Stands Out: The RAV4 has long been one of the best family cars in terms of standard safety features, and you get a lot for a very affordable price. Toyota's safety packages are comprehensive when it comes to safety coverage, and you don't have to get the top trim model to benefit from them. 2025 Subaru Outback 2023 Subaru Outback — Source: Subaru The Subaru Outback ($29,010) is legendary and not just for its standard all-wheel drive system. It's a remarkably safe SUV that's well-packaged with standard features. Unlike many competitors, Subaru includes EyeSight even on the base Outback trim, which means every buyer gets the same core suite of features. Plus, symmetrical all-wheel drive enhances traction and control, adding another layer of safety in poor driving conditions. The 2025 Outback is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick. If you're looking for a vehicle that combines rugged utility with top-tier standard safety, the 2025 Subaru Outback is tough to beat. Learn more here. 2026 Subaru Outback — Source: Subaru Standard Safety Features: EyeSight Driver Assist Technology: Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Pre-Collision Throttle Management, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Sway Warning, Lead Vehicle Start Alert, Brake Light Recognition: DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System High Beam Assist Brake Assist Brake Override System 180-Degree Front View Monitor Whiplash Reducing Front Seats Automatic Emergency Steering Rear Seat Reminder Reverse Automatic Braking Adaptive headlights with high beam control Why It Stands Out: Subaru's camera-based EyeSight system is one of the most refined in the business, and the addition of driver monitoring in the base model is a major bonus for distracted driving prevention. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 — Source: Hyundai The Ioniq 6 ($37,850) might not get as much love as its smaller Ioniq 5 SUV sibling, but it happens to be one of the best EVs on the market today for numerous reasons. It bears refined and unique styling that's like nothing else in the sedan segment, gas or electric. It's also got great range with the rear-wheel drive model offering up to 342 miles on a full charge. As electric vehicles become more mainstream, the Ioniq 6 is also leading the charge in safety tech with one of the most comprehensive sets of safety tech found anywhere in the industry. It also earned the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating in 2024. Learn more here. 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6 — Source: Hyundai Standard Safety Features: Hyundai SmartSense: Forward Collision Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection and junction-turning detection. Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist Reverse Parking Collision Avoidance Assist Lane Keeping Assist Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go Intelligent Speed Limit Assist Safe Exit Assist Blind-Spot View Monitor Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control Highway Driving Assist Driver Attention Warning Surround View Monitor Head-up Display Why It Stands Out: The Ioniq 6's safety suite is one of the most high-tech on the market. Hyundai's inclusion of Highway Driving Assist on all trims—usually reserved for higher-priced vehicles—makes the Ioniq 6 one of the most future-ready and safest electric cars you can buy in 2025. 2025 Volvo XC60 Volvo XC60 Recharge T8 No safety list would be complete without a Volvo, and its best-selling vehicle ranks high when it comes to standard safety tech. The XC60 ($48,345) has PHEV and mild hybrid models that provide excellent efficiency and power. Moreover, all XC60s have standard all-wheel drive, an 11.2-inch center infotainment display, and wireless phone charging. While typically associated with premium vehicles, the 2025 XC60 proves that you don't need to splurge on top trims to enjoy luxury-level protection. This full set of safety features comes on every model. Learn more here. 2025 Volvo XC60 — Source: Volvo Standard Safety Features: Volvo Pilot Assist City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology Run-Off Road Mitigation Rear Collision Warning 360-degree parking sensors. Driver Alert Control Cross Traffic Alert with Auto Brake Blind-spot monitoring Rear cross-traffic alert Forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection Forward automatic emergency braking Lane-departure warning Lane-keep assist Pilot Assist (adaptive cruise control with lane centering) Driver-attention monitoring Traffic-sign recognition Automatic high-beam headlights Head-up display Why It Stands Out: The XC60's blend of passive and active safety is exceptional, with features like City Safety Collision Avoidance Technology that provides oncoming vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle lane mitigation rarely found in competing vehicles at this price point. Volvo's reputation for crashworthiness and occupant protection is well-earned. Final thoughts High-tech safety features used to be an optional luxury in the automotive world. In 2025, it's increasingly a standard expectation—and these five vehicles rise to the occasion. Whether you prefer a midsize sedan, a weather-friendly AWD SUV, or a sleek electric vehicle, these models offer the most robust protection without forcing you to upgrade to higher trims or expensive packages. As automakers continue to refine ADAS technology, we can expect even more features—like automated lane changes and hands-free driving—to become widely available. But even today, buyers have access to remarkable safety systems right out of the box.
