Once lending someone your car keys was the ultimate symbol of trust. Now, most of us would consider offering our car to someone we don’t know as part of a car‑share.

This is among the findings of a new European survey commissioned by Ford Motor Company to better understand attitudes to car-sharing , and a whole range of possessions and services, that  form part of the growing sharing economy. *

Of the 10,016 people surveyed across the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain,, up to 55 per cent would share their car for money, compared with up to 44 per cent who would share their home, up to 33 per cent who would share their mobile phone, and up to 17 per cent who would even share their dog.

Most of those surveyed were also willing to drive others (77 per cent), or to transport packages (78 per cent). And the overwhelming majority were interested in using a sharing service to get around. Up to 76 per cent would ride-share, up to 73 per cent would use a parking space service, and up to 72 per cent would car-share.

“From cars to music to holidays, people are more prepared to share possessions and services than ever before. From your smartphone, you can quickly and easily borrow someone else’s designer shoes, use their lawnmower, or even walk their dog,” said Will Farrelly, user experience innovation, Ford Smart Mobility. “When it comes to mobility, sharing – whether through car-sharing, ride-sharing, or transporting packages for others – offers flexibility, a potentially more economical alternative, and can also help reduce congestion.”

The sharing economy generates more than £10 billion in global revenues, and is estimated to generate a potential revenue opportunity worth £215 billion by 2025, with car-sharing predicted to increase by 23 per cent. ** Farrelly will today in Paris join the panel discussion “Future of Mobility Ecosystems” at OuiShare Fest,the world’s largest gathering focused on the sharing economy.

Ford is currently expanding into both an auto and a mobility company; as such the company is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities through Ford Smart Mobility – its plan to be a leader in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience, and data and analytics.

FordPass, the company’s new customer experience platform, debuts this year in Europe. New partners for FordPass include BP and Mobile City, a leading mobile parking payment company. FordPass also will integrate Ford Carsharing, offered by Ford Germany and run with large, multi-partner car-sharing company Flinkster Carsharing.

* Survey conducted for Ford Motor Company by Opinion Matters during April 2016.

** http://www.pwc.co.uk/issues/megatrends/collisions/sharingeconomy/the-sharing-economy-sizing-the-revenue-opportunity.html

The Jeep_® brand history can be traced through 9 fundamental vehicles that not only marked milestones in the Jeep legend, but also allowed to have a pioneering role in terms of introduction of new models and segments in the automotive industry.

These 9 milestone models showcase how the Jeep brand has been a key player in the evolution of the SUV industry and of its sub-segments. From 1941, when the first Willys-Overland rolled off the assembly line to today, the ‘Jeep’ vehicles have been transformed into a faithful work companion in farmhouses, recreational family vehicle and premium car for city customers, anticipating the needs of the customers and introducing important elements of innovation in the market place.

The Jeep legend starts with the Willys-Overland MA/MB (1941-1945). In 1940, with war raging in Europe, the U.S. Government issued a requisition for a ‘light reconnaissance vehicle’ for the Army and invited 135 manufacturers to bid on production. Willys-Overland won the contract with its “MA” design of 1941 (where ‘M’ stands for military and ‘A’ indicates the series number). This early prototype led to the production of the Overland MB: the authentic forerunner of the Jeep legend. Willys trademarked the name after the war and turned the Jeep into an off-road civilian utility vehicle for the farm.

With the 1945-1949 Jeep CJ-2A, the Jeep brand introduced the first modern mass production off-road vehicle, (where CJ stands for Civilian Jeep) and in the same years found inspiration to create the first SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle), thanks to the launch of the (Jeep) Willys  Wagon (1946-1965).

First introduced in 1946, the Willys Wagon made an important contribution to the evolution of the SUV, being the industry’s first all-steel-bodied station wagon, sold as a non-commercial vehicle. Featuring room for 7 passengers, the Wagon also introduced the concept of a multifunctional sports vehicle, offering functionality, versatility and 4×4 capability, all in the same package. In 1949, the four-wheel drive system was introduced for the first time to this model, allowing to combine for the first time four-wheel drive to a station wagon body, and therefore to pioneer the category of the Sport utility vehicles.

In 1955, the CJ-5 is launched (1955-1983). Improvements in engines, axles, transmissions and seating comfort contributed to make it the ideal vehicle to satisfy the public’s growing interest in off-road vehicles for recreational usage, allowing the brand to pioneer this vehicle category. But a milestone innovation was still to come: when in 1963, the Jeep Wagoneer (1963-1983) was launched, the brand could proudly claim the creation of the premium Large SUV. An all-new vehicle from the ground up, the Wagoneer represented also the first time a manufacturer mated an automatic transmission to the four-wheel-drive system. And this was not the only revolution. The Jeep Wagoneer was also the first four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with an independent front suspension and it also featured the first automatic full-time four-wheel-drive system (Quadra-Trac®) introduced in 1973. Later in 1984, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer (1984-1991) was introduced, replacing the Wagoneer. This model became a premium lifestyle vehicle, popular with celebrities and the general public until the end of its run.

In 1974, the first Cherokee model (SJ  -1974-1983) is produced. This two-door off-road vehicle was based on the Wagoneer, without offering all premium features of that model. Indeed, the Cherokee aimed at attracting a younger public than the Wagoneer and was built to answer the requests of the growing recreational vehicle market.  A next major step in the evolution of the Jeep SUV came with the launch of the second generation of Cherokee in 1984 (XJ – 1984-2001). With this model, that was the first SUV with a uni body, the Jeep brand introduced a further revolution in the market and created the new category of the compact SUVs .

The last step taken from the Jeep brand was to reinvent the SUV that it had created almost 45 years before. With its introduction in mid-1992, the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee model set a new standard in terms of craftsmanship and refinement in the premium Large SUV market. This vehicle, meant to become the flagship of the brand, was the first SUV to be equipped with a standard driver-side air bag, as well as the first to offer three different four-wheel-drive systems. Another major feature was the Quadra-Trac, a four-wheel-drive system that reacted automatically to road conditions without the driver’s need to shift. Grand Cherokee defined in the years the new standard in terms of style, craftsmanship and performance in the premium Large SUV segment. Through three generations of Grand Cherokee (1999, 2005 and 2010), the Jeep brand enhanced its flagship with new technological features and refined its on and off-road driving performance to reach the excellence of the current model.

Technological innovation is also the hallmark of the Jeep models that were introduced after the Grand Cherokee. As a matter of fact, in 2013 with the launch of the new generation of Jeep Cherokee, the Jeep brand introduced the first rear axle disconnect in the mid-size SUV segment. This system reduces energy losses when it is not necessary to use the 4×4 mode, thus resulting in increased fuel efficiency. The new Cherokee is also the first mid-size SUV to feature a 9-speed automatic transmission. One year later the same technological innovations – rear axle disconnect and 9-speed gearbox – was introduced in the small SUV segment by the all-new Jeep Renegade, the compact SUV the marks the debut of the brand in the small SUV category. A ‘game changer’ as it has been defined, the Renegade fully represent the new ‘Jeep era’ and further confirm the brand’s pioneering role in the automotive history and its capability to anticipate trends and customers’ needs.

But this will be all in a new chapter of our ‘journey’ of exploration of the legendary Jeep brand.

A proposed new Transport Bill to be announced as part of the Queen’s Speech  will help pave the way for autonomous cars. In its role on the ‘Assisted Driving Insurance Group’ safety experts at Thatcham Research have identified the key stages of automation, which is also provided in graphical form.

Assisted Driving 

2016
Today’s car is already a world apart form where the car was even 10 years ago. Many new cars are fitted with cameras and radars to monitor hazards ahead and automatically apply the brakes in case of a potential crash or guide the vehicle back into lane if the driver is not paying attention. However, the driver remains in full control.

Some of today’s cars have low speed driving assistance systems such as Volvo’s Pilot Assist, which can drive the car at low speeds controlling the steering, acceleration and braking. It operates at speeds up to 30 mph and will continue to operate as long as the driver proves he or she is still in control by keeping their hands on the steering wheel.

2018
2018 will be a landmark year. Cars will become a lot smarter with even more advanced driver comfort features and with regulations now permitting hands-off driving on motorways. The driver retains responsibility and will be expected to take-over control in case of unanticipated situations or system failures.

For motorway driving, some cars will feature an ‘auto pilot’ function, automatically driving the vehicle and allowing hands to be taken off the wheel for around 3 minutes at a time. This might allow the driver to check the sat nav or to look at an important email, but after 3 minutes the system warns the driver that they need to re-engage with the car in some way usually through putting their hands back on the steering wheel. If this doesn’t happen the system disconnects and the car will perform a minimum risk manoeuvre to bring itself to a controlled safe stop. The driver remains in control.

Automated Driving

2021
Moving towards full autonomy now. On defined segments of motorway the car is able to take complete control allowing the driver to disengage from driving completely and to do other, unrelated and more time consuming tasks such as reading a book. With a full sensor pack including radars, cameras and laser scanners the vehicle is able to build up a complete picture of the immediate road and traffic environment and to use lateral steering adjustments and longitudinal braking and acceleration inputs to navigate safely within it.  Such a vehicle would also likely be equipped with high specification Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to aid the driver at the times when they are in control.

2025
By 2025, it is envisaged that the car will be able to drive itself, fully hands free from door to door. This will include the whole range of typical driving environments in cities and in urban environments as well as main arterial routes and with the ability to negotiate traffic lights, junctions and roundabouts, where the road infrastructure permits. Such vehicles will have full connectivity with each other and with the road infrastructure itself which will allow the vehicle not just to navigate through its immediate environment but to plan ahead effectively taking real time traffic conditions into account. At this stage the driver will not even need to touch the controls during the course of the journey.

Sales of SUVs have quadrupled in Europe since 2005 and are expected to keep rising thanks to growing popularity with an unusually diverse group of buyers, according to a new survey.

Once the choice of a select few ski buffs and outdoor enthusiasts, SUVs have been embraced by ‘Modern Mums’, mothers with young kids, Millennials, 17- to 34-years-olds, and ‘Quintastics’, for active and youthful 50-somethings.

Nearly one in three ‘Modern Mums’ are considering an SUV for their next car, as are one in four Millennials; and one in five “Quintastics,” according to a new Ford Motor Company-sponsored survey of 5,000 people in the U.K, France, Germany, Italy and Spain who own a car or who intend to buy one in the next 12 months.*

“SUVs have grown from a tiny niche in Europe to one of the most significant automotive trends of the past decade,” said Roelant de Waard, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford of Europe. “Every time someone predicts SUV sales will cool down, they are proven wrong. That’s because SUVs have widespread appeal with men and woman, young and older people.”

The survey highlighted that perceptions of SUVs have changed dramatically. Of those surveyed, 82 per cent say that SUVs are no longer just a luxury vehicle, and have become more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly over the past five years. Nearly all recognize that SUVs are now available in a wide variety of sizes and options.

The percentage of SUVs sold in Europe compared with total car sales has grown from 6 per cent in 2005 to 23 per cent in 2015. * This is expected to increase to 27 per cent by 2020, according to industry sales analyst IHS.

*JATO Dynamics results are based on information provided by JATO Consult, the company’s bespoke consulting service.  Figures are based on 30 European countries. For more information please visit www.jato.com

** Calculation based on European Commission eurostat data that of estimated EU 28 population of  508,450,856, those aged 17‑ to 34-years-old account for 111,914,312 people, and those aged 50-59 account for  69,974,620 people http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database

Jeep has once again showcased its legendary 4×4 driving credentials by becoming the world’s first automotive manufacturer to drive a car up and down an Olympic-standard white water rafting course.

Jeep and Red Bull ambassador Aimee Fuller guided the Jeep Renegade Trailhawk on the thrilling challenge at Cardiff’s International White Water Centre.

The Renegade and Olympic snowboarder Aimee tackled extreme off-road conditions as they went up and down the 250 metre long course, battling a flow of water that exceeded four tonnes per second and a descent of more than 30 feet from top to bottom.

“I’d never done anything like this before so when I arrived and saw the power and heard the noise of the water I was nervous,” said 24-year-old Aimee.

“But once I had driven into the course and got through the first few rapids the car felt great, really in control, and I started to relax and enjoy it.

“It’s a pretty cool thing to say I was the first person ever to drive a car down a white water rafting course, not something you do every day.”

Damien Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK, said: “We are always looking for unusual ways to demonstrate how good our cars are in extreme off-road conditions and driving the Renegade down a white water rafting course successfully has certainly showcased that.

“We are proud to say we are the first automotive manufacturer to achieve the feat of driving up and down white water rapids and that the stunt truly embodied the spirit of the car; of being renegade.”

To find out more about Jeep and the Renegade model, visit: http://www.jeep.co.uk/renegade/

Thoughtless positioning of sat nav devices on windscreens is posing a huge threat to road safety, says breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist. Today’s large screen devices positioned in the middle of a car windscreen mean a potentially lethal reduction in driver visibility, especially on left hand bends and at junctions, GEM warns.

GEM chief executive David Williams MBE comments: “Sat nav devices are great for relieving a lot of motoring stress. But if in the process you’re obscuring a vast swathe of your field of view, then you are taking a huge risk.

“Placing a sat nav right in the centre of the windscreen will block most of your nearside view, and will mean you miss all the hazards that might be there. This is particularly dangerous on left hand bends, at junctions and crossings, and in any locations where you may share the road space with cyclists and pedestrians.”

GEM has assembled some simple tips to ensure your view of the road is not obstructed by a poorly-positioned sat nav:

• Ensure you position your sat nav so that it won’t affect your view of the road and your ability to drive safely.
• The safest place for a sat nav is low down on your windscreen, and to the far right, to minimise obstruction of your field of view.
• If this is not possible, then it may be acceptable in the centre of the windscreen, but you should position it as low down as possible.
• Make sure you choose the right seat height and position to suit your individual shape and size before positioning your sat nav.
• Avoid fitting the sat nav to a location that could cause injury to a driver or passenger in a crash. This includes potential head strike zones on the windscreen, or other locations where deploying an airbag may contact them.
• Never fit the sat nav high up on the windscreen. As well as severely restricting vision, this could interfere with the rear view mirror and sun visors, and will require power cords to trail across the driver’s field of vision.

Jeep is marking another record month as the SMMT reveals April’s new car sales figures.

The figures highlight Jeep’s current market share of 0.69% – the best in any single month for the brand since 1997. Jeep registered 1,303 new cars in April 2016, compared to the 605 units registered in the same month the previous year.

The 4×4 brand is also the UK’s leading manufacturer in terms of growth, with an increase in new car registrations of 115% – the largest year on year growth of any car maker.

The Jeep Renegade, which represents the marque’s most accomplished Small SUV ever, continues to be the brand’s most popular model with 1058 sales, followed by the Grand Cherokee with 104 units, Cherokee with 122 units and the Wrangler with 19.

Damien Dally, head of brand, Jeep UK said: “2016 is a very special year for Jeep, not only are we celebrating our 75^th anniversary, but we are also celebrating some truly fantastic sales milestones for the brand. Last month we saw the best ever March result for Jeep and this month we’re seeing Jeep’s popularity continue to grow with even more positive results.”

For more information visit: www.jeep.co.uk

MG Motor UK unveiled its all-new SUV, the MG GS, at the London Motor Show and announced an automatic DCT gearbox will be available.

MG also announced that the GS will come with the British manufacturer’s first automatic transmission. The SUV’s top specification model will be available with the option of a DCT gearbox; which will be more responsive and provide customers with a much smoother ride. The GS will also come with an agile 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine and will be available in three different trim levels.

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing for MG, said: “When considering transmissions and engine choices, we listened to our customers and looked at market trends. It’s not only a momentous occasion to unveil our first SUV, it is also a significant moment to announce our first automatic – something many of our customers have been waiting for, and so we’re thrilled to be offering it to them.”

MG is assuring customers that when prices are announced in June, they will reflect the family pricing strategy.

“When we officially launch the GS next month, people will be able to find out more about the car’s performance and when they can get behind the wheel of one.”

To register your interest in the MG GS, visit the MG website www.mg.co.uk/gs.

More than 60,000 Ford Edge vehicles have been configured on www.ford.co.uk since January 2016, as right-hand-drive models roll off the production line for the first time.

Ford data shows the flagship Sport model as the most popular choice, making up 49 per cent of the configurations, while just 11 per cent account for the lead-in Zetec series. Over 55 per cent specified the 210PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with Powershift automatic transmission and the most popular colours are Oxford White (16 per cent), Shadow Black (14 per cent) and Electric Spice (8 per cent). The average price of Edge models being configured in the UK is more than £35,000.

Andy Barratt, chairman and managing director, Ford of Britain, said: “The UK team and our extensive Ford dealer network are very excited by this exceptionally fast start for the new Ford Edge. With our existing EcoSport and Kuga SUV models enjoying healthy sales growth, there isn’t a better time to launch our new flagship Edge SUV.”

Available in Zetec, Titanium and Sport series – and with a choice of 180PS 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine with six-speed manual transmission, or 210PS bi-turbo 2.0‑litre TDCi diesel with six-speed PowerShift automatic transmission – the all-new Edge is well-equipped as standard, offering Ford intelligent all-wheel drive, Active Noise Control, Pedestrian Detection, Ford DAB Audio with SYNC connectivity, privacy glass and 19in alloy wheels.

Other innovative features available include Adaptive Steering, which automatically optimises the steering response according to vehicle speed, making it easy to manoeuvre at low speeds, while remaining precise and intuitive at higher speeds; and Front Wide View Camera, which makes restricted visibility junctions or parking spaces easier to negotiate.

The all-new upscale Ford Edge arrives in Ford’s UK dealerships this summer priced from £29,995 – joining the increasingly popular Ford Kuga ‘family-sized’ SUV from £19,995 and EcoSport compact SUV from £14,445.

TomTom has announced the launch of three new sat nav devices for the car.

Drivers will welcome the ‘average speed limit’ information. Measurement of average speed on road networks is on the increase, via SPECS and VECTOR cameras.

According to TomTom’s camera database, there are now 325 average speed zones on the UK’s roads, compared with 167 zones in 2013 – a 95% increase in three years.

The new Start series includes a feature that will ensure drivers are aware of their average speed for safer driving – by tracking your actual average speed within the zone.

The inclusion of Lifetime Maps* means that drivers don’t need to worry about paying for map updates during the lifetime of the product.  And people can trust that TomTom’s maps are the most accurate available on the market.

TomTom’s Advanced Lane Guidance provides drivers with extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions, meaning they don’t miss a turn.

Corinne Vigreux, co-founder and Managing Director, TomTom Consumer, said: “We are constantly striving to make more accurate maps, deliver faster and more detailed traffic information, and create smarter routing. This combination is what makes the TomTom driving experience so unique.

“Listening to our customers, we understand the responsibility we have as the most trusted companion to drivers, and with the new TomTom Start series, we’re once again honouring that trust and confidence.”

The new range also comes with an integrated mount that is reversible, meaning drivers can easily switch between windshield and dashboard mounting.

The TomTom Start 42, 52 and 62 are available with 4.3”, 5” and 6” touchscreens, respectively.

The Start 42 and 52 are available now, with prices starting at £109.99 for the Start 42 (with maps of 45 countries in Europe).  They will sold in Halfords, Argos, Dixons and Amazon as well as on the TomTom website

The Start 62 will be available in July.

* Lifetime Maps: For the life of your product, you can download 4 or more full updates of your map of Europe every year. You need a PC with an Internet connection and a MyTomTom account to download map updates. For more information, visit tomtom.com/lifetimemaps.