In the wake of the cold snap, The British Red Cross have deployed their robust fleet of Land Rovers to assist vulnerable people in hard-to-reach areas.

In addition to loaning vehicles, Land Rover have also provided special winter drier training to volunteers from both the British Red Cross and the London Ambulance Services. The course has ensured that even those who find themselves utterly snowbound can rely upon assistance.

Over the last weekend, extensive snow coverage saw British Red Cross ambulance crews responding to 999 emergency calls in their Land Rover Defender ambulances. Working from bases in Redhill in Surrey and Winchester in Hampshire, vital support was given wherever it was needed. At the same time, supporting the East Midlands Ambulance Service were 4×4 ambulances on tireless duty in Derbyshire and Leicester.

Meanwhile, volunteers from the fire and emergency support service (FESS) in Surrey used a Land Rover support vehicle to tackle difficult snow conditions to reach a couple who had been forced to flee their home following a fire; whilst a team of Essex nurses were given a much-needed lift to work.

Finally, emergency teams in Kent and Surrey used their Land Rovers to take care workers to their clients and make house-calls to check on the welfare of vulnerable older people, making sure they received the personal care and hot meals on which their lives depend.

So, thank you, British Red Cross, and thank you, Land Rover.

If all of this fearlessly determined ice motoring has inspired you, you may be interested to learn that Land Rover are offering members of the public (that’s you!) the opportunity to receive the same winter driving training that Red Cross volunteers received in preparation for their work.

Land Rover Experience have launched a special winter driving course at its 10 centres across the UK, including Solihull in the West Midlands, Halewood on Merseyside and Gaydon in Warwickshire. The half-day course is delivered by trained instructors to prepare drivers for severe weather, advising on the best techniques to negotiate icy, snowy and wet conditions safely and effectively. There is also some timely advice on how to tackle deep water for when the thaw comes.

Topics covered include choosing the correct tyres, vehicle preparation, essential kit to carry and how to use the vehicle’s controls and make the most of Land Rover’s unique Terrain Response™ system in slippery conditions. Hands-on experience comes in one of the Experience Centre’s vehicles on suitable terrain.

For more details, click here.

If you want to know more about the excellent work undertaken by the British Red Cross at home and abroad, click here.

When the entire furore over the new registrations last year died down, just before the second wave hits this year, and the “look-at-me-I’ve-got-a-new-reg” -ers have had their moment in the spotlight, reality sets in for the UK car industry.

In 2011, new car sales in the UK fell to 1.94m (4.4% down on 2010), the lowest total since 1994′s 1.91m.

But these figures don’t truly reflect the manufacturing state of the industry. 80% of cars built in the UK are exported, and these figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) are therefore more of a reflection of the British buying economy.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the SMMT, commented: “This [fall]  is what you would expect to see. Consumer demand is weaker, but at the same time we are seeing a strong performance in some key segments of the manufacturing economy.”

By that, I guess he means exports and fleet sales, boosted by hire cars and company cars. Consumer sales, in fact, actually fell by a whopping 14% fuelled by a lack of confidence in the economy, the VAT increase to 20%, the scrapping of the scrappage scheme and petrol prices.

Strong demand from China, the USA and India helped keep sales of Nissan, Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover afloat. and this is expected to continue throughout 2012. In fact, the SMMT expects the UK Industry to manufacture around 1.5m cars this year (up 5%) and 1.6m in 2013.

But Deloitte, the consultancy firm, expects a further decline in actual car sales in the UK to an actual figure around 1.84m as the economic crisis continues to bite around Europe.

So who do you believe? My money’s on the latter, but then my glass has always been half empty.

There were winners last year. No real surprise that the Ford Fiesta. a perennial favourite, was the best seller, but the Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa, Volkswagon Golf and Vauxhall Astra also sold well.

And worldwide, VW sold a record 5.1m, with Europe and China contributing 3.4m  of that. In fact, China’s overall ‘car consumption’ grew by 13.8%, especially in the luxury car market, with Daimler having a great year in the Far East market. Just think what the figures would have been without that! And surprisingly, considering the state of the US economy, VW sales there grew by over 26% (a possible head in the sand syndrome?) as well as more than expected in India.

So not all good news, and not all bad news. But there is no escaping from the fact that 2012 is going to be a tough year for the car industry as a whole.

Fasten those seat belts. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

You can now save up to £26 a month on the popular Land Rover Range Rover Sport with Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

Arguably the world’s most popular 4×4, the new Land Rover Range Rover Sport is hard to beat when it comes to style, luxury and driving capability.

The latest generation model features Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response system with five drive mode settings including general driving, grass, gravel, snow, mud and sand/rock, making it the perfect 4×4 for all weather conditions – including snow!

It also boasts one of the most generous equipment lists in its class with rear parking aid, leather seats, automatic climate control, Harman/Kardon audio system, HDD Premium navigation system and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity all offered as standard.

Nationwide Vehicle Contracts has reduced the monthly leasing rates on the popular Land Rover Range Rover Sport with savings of up to £26 a month on selected models. Our best deal is on the Land Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 SE Auto available to lease from just £626.95 + VAT a month.

To take advantage of these fantastic winter Land Rover savings and to get an instant quotation on any model in the Range Rover Sport range, simply follow the above links or call Nationwide Vehicle Contracts on 0844 482 9595.

Prices based on a 4 year contract and excludes VAT, initial payment and processing fee. Limited Stock Available.  Terms & Conditions Apply.

The National Motor Museum at Beaulieu is currently playing host to an exhibition which celebrates those motorists who have explored the realms of possibility. You know. The ones who take vehicles on adventures of exploration of both terrain and machinery. Those who find the limits and beyond. Those who, along the way, learn a little about themselves. Those who have a story to tell. We who have a lesson to learn.

It’s called “Feats of Endurance” and, if you’ve not been yet, an upcoming event might just make you up-sticks and pay a visit.

On Saturday October 22 the museum will be hosting an evening which will focus upon two incredible feats: Those of Brothers Bob & Joe and of Duncan Mortimer.

Bob and Joe took part in the 1989 Camel Trophy in the jungles of Brazil where they drove a Land Rover 110 Diesel. They’re the only British team to have ever won the event since its 1980 inception. Bob has also acted as the vehicle consultant for the last two Top Gear Christmas Specials. Remember the journeys from Bolivia to Chile? Iraq to Bethlehem? Yeah. That was Bob.

Duncan Mortimer, meanwhile, has driven round the world on no less than three occasions in a 1978 Mini 1275GT. In doing so, he raised money for global cancer research charities including the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. Being a better man than anyone, Duncan’s currently planning another pan-global Mini adventure. Good luck!

The evening will kick off at 8.00pm and will be held in the National Motor Museum Collections Centre’s Lecture Theatre. There’ll be a bar serving wines, soft drinks, teas, coffees and, best of all, beer. Yeah. You might even be able to share a beer with these brave, brave men. How ace would that be?

Before this, the Museum will open from 6.30pm for a private viewing.

Sound like fun? Yes, it does, doesn’t it. Well, tickets are but £10 and can be obtained through contacting Theresa Browning on 01590 614 792.

“If you really want to know about cars, ask the experts.”

So says Which? Car editor Richard Headland. But who are these experts? Manufacturers? (Bit biased.) Dealers? (Bit too profit making.) Garage owners? Mechanics?

None of the above. According to Richard, the experts are “… the people who drive every day.”

With (allegedly) no brand loyalty – although that is a touch difficult to swallow – it’s the everyday driver who can tell you what is good, and bad, about the cars that they drive.  Personally cars are like salad cream – it has to be Heinz – but in these economically frugal days, to paraphrase Joseph with his dreamcoat “Any car will do.”

So what did Which? Car find out in a Summer 2011 survey for new and used cars?

Makers of the most reliable cars

Hyundai; according to the survey, has a great range of cars, is value for money, reliable and offer transferable, five-year warranties at a time when everybody is looking to cut back and make their money go further. In fact, a Hyundai has, on average, a 20% chance of a fault in 12 months from new. That’s not the best – but more about that later.

Car that makes its owners happy

In first place, a car that was actually phased out 6 years ago, but still holds a place in its owners’ hearts – the Toyota Yaris Verso.

Second, the VW Passat CC

Third, Land Rover Discovery – but, as you’ll see later, that was the only good news for the Land Rover in this survey.

Most Loved cars

In the Top 10 of this list, there’s 4 Skodas – the Yeti, (Never seen one of them, although the apparantly exist ), Superb Estate, old Superb and new Superb.

But down there at the bottom…

Most ‘un-loved’ cars

Strictly not a true title but I didn’t really want to put ‘Most loved cars – well, not really’ as a title so, at the bottom of the most loved cars, with a satisfaction percentage of 49.4% (No; I’ve no idea how they were calculated but I’m guessing at a “How much do you love this car?” question) is the Renault Laguna Sport Tourer.

It’s in good company, as 7 out of the bottom 10 are built by French manufacturers (did they ask Al Murray to put this survey together?) with poor handling, performance, build quality and poor non-engine electrics cited as reasons for this particular poor performance.

So, it seems that Which? Car readers and members seem to like practical good-value cars (like Skoda, so it seems), aren’t keen on the “unreliable and fault-prone” Gallic cars like Renault and Peugeot and really can’t be bothered with the ‘satisfaction factor’ of so-called luxury brands like Mercedes, BMW and VW – giving them an average score, the same as Alfa Romeo and Citreon.

Says a lot more about them than any other statistic.

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The survey looked at over 67,000 cars – new and used – to get the results, and other ‘winners’ included:

Best Buy (Medium Sector aka ‘most popular car bought’ sector) – Kia Cee’d estate
Best value cars based on dependability and running costs (Medium Sector) – Honda Jazz and Skoda Fabia diesel
Best Medium Cars (Used) – Mazda 3, VW Golf, VW Jetta, Ford Focus
Best MPV (Used) – Honda FRV, Skoda Roomster, Toyota Previa

But the biggest winner of all, an undisputed winner in the Large Section (Used) – and every other Large Section sector – was the Toyota Avensis. Often called “dull” in description by the questioned drivers, the petrol version scored way ahead of many of its rivals in the majority of cases.

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And, if you want further proof of reliability. What Car? in conjunction with Warranty Direct released a report suggesting that, for reliability, Japanese and Korean makes are the best.

Honda vehicles, for the 6th year in a row, are top of the pile (That’s the power of dreams, eh?) with a mere 9% chance of developing a fault from new in the first 12 months. Toyota, Suzuki, Lexus and Mitsubishi fill the next four places.

And down at the bottom? Close your ears Land Rover – it’s you – with a 55% chance of a fault. And you won’t have to travel too far to have a chat with your fellow relegation favourites because they are all European. Alfa Romeo, Renault and Saab are all in the mid forties when it comes to chance of a developing fault from new.

Sorry Europe! Time to get those metaphorical socks pulled up!

The automotive world has recently gone wild for Frankfurt. There has been flurry of various official and leaked images featuring vehicles set to be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show and everyone is getting ready to see the best and brightest. The big players have already shown there cards, and now it appears the Land Rover is prepared to take a gamble with their new DC100 model.

The company has explored how far they can go in car design, creating a new concept that will certainly turn some heads. The vehicle, set to be the newest addition to the classic Defender line, is the epitome of off-road excellence. To many, the original Defender was the vehicle that started the entire SUV craze, and it is no surprise that Land Rover is looking forward to its revival.

Currently in concept form, the Defender will take off where the predecessor left off, living up to the 4×4 legacy. Gerry McGovern, the car design director, stated that he had his work cut out for him designing this new car. He said that it had to inspire people worldwide while keeping with the previous models history.

Little is known about the vehicles specifications, but the details of the design are apparent from the flurry of photographs offered by Land Rover. It is a much smoother looking vehicle, certainly so when you compare it to the old box-like car. The rather unique headlights set it a part from the other vehicles on the SUV market, giving it a rather new, perhaps even delicate, feel to car that will conquer any terrain. While the previous model was heavy, this one appears much lighter, ultimately offering minimalist design with maximum results.

Experts predict that the vehicle will go on sale some time in 2015, with the model currently only being produced for the European market. This choice has partially been brought on due to difficulties related to the previous Defender model in the United States, where it failed to meet mandatory air bag regulations.

As the Frankfurt Motor Show inches closer, we’ll ultimately be treated to a huge array of exciting vehicles. While more companies reveal their works on a daily basis, Land Rover certainly stands out with their new Defender. Let us hope that it will be on our roads soon so that we can give it a spin.

LCV2011 is the UK’s leading low carbon vehicle event and will this year take place at Rockingham Race Circuit in Northamptonshire on 7-8 September. It’s hosted by Cenex (the Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies) and is shaping up to be a humdinger of an event. Already it’s attracted many of the world’s major car, commercial vehicle and public service vehicle manufacturers who, alongside a record number of technology and infrastructure businesses, will be showcasing their latest developments in low carbon vehicle technology.

The event, which combines a business-to-business conference, exhibition and ride-and-drive experience, has already confirmed that brands including Ford, General Motors, Toyota, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, Iveco and Mercedes-Benz will be exhibiting.

Alongside no small number of crucial talks, debates and exhibitions (including the publishing of the data from the first three months of world’s largest low carbon vehicle trial), delegates will be given the chance to experience first-hand the next-generation developments brought to the party by the numerous brands taking part. Vehicles featured will include the Ford ECOnetic Fiesta, the Vauxhall Ampera, the Nissan Leaf, the Mitsubishi iMiEV and Smart ForTwo.

Says Cenex Chairman Brendan Connor: “I’m greatly encouraged by the response of the industry to LCV2011. The breadth of technologies that will be on display at LCV2011 proves that the UK automotive industry is at the forefront of developing future mobility solutions.

“It is becoming increasingly apparent that the industry’s first challenge is to advance the technologies – and required infrastructures – to make low carbon vehicles more economic to manufacture and easier to sell. The second challenge is to educate buyers – private, public and commercial – about the range of options available now and in the future.”

He concludes: “LCV2011 is about increasing the momentum in overcoming these challenges and helping exhibitors and delegates – whether manufacturers, technology innovators or end users from the public and private sectors – to do business together.”

Here here!

LCV2011 will be Cenex’s fourth annual event and is set to be the biggest and most influential business-to-business low carbon vehicle event to have ever been staged in the UK.

It’s pretty exciting business, then. Ignore the number of bored-looking faces in the image above. That’s just museum fatigue.

When it comes to vehicles, the Japanese have been doing something right for quite some time. Outperforming many of its competitors, companies like Toyota as well as Honda have not simply been leading green innovation but also creating some of the most efficient and best performing vehicles on the planet. A recent report shows that in reliability surveys it also completely obliterates other corporations, especially those found in the European market.

A study conducted by Warranty Direct has placed nearly 50,000 different vehicles into one large context, gauging how like they will fail as well as the cost of repairs. Based on the study, eastern vehicles have dominated the top 10 places on the list. Of these cars, those that perform the best are found between the age of 3 and 8 years.

The list has praised the works of many Japanese vehicles. Honda has had a high success rate with only 1 in 10 going wrong, pointing to the Honda Jazz that has only a 8% fail rate and a average bill costing around £200. Toyota has also done very well with only 13% fail rate.

On the list, Britain has not fared well. 2002 Range Rover is at the very bottom of the list, with nearly 50% of the cars having some fault with them within a 12 month period, costing an average owner roughly £500 poorer. Land Rover has also done abysmally, with 55% of things going wrong within the same period.

Other European manufacturers are also found quite low on the list, with Alfa Romeos as well as Renaults.

Many underperforming manufactures have vehemently denied all these accusations. Land Rover representatives suggested that the list didn’t represent the currently high rate of success of their modern line. Similarly, Alfa Romeo pointed to other surveys that have stated that the company is steadily improving its reliability. Not to be overshadowed, Renault suggested that the claims are simply inaccurate.

Whatever the position may be, most surveys conducted, including the “What Car?” released several weeks ago, suggest that Japanese vehicles are some of the best in the world. Whatever the companies have been doing, they have figured out a great formula and stuck with it. Even this writer remained skeptical; yet, the statistical data does seem to indicate quite a strong relationship between the quality and reliability of Toyota as well as Honda. Let us hope that European manufactures can take onboard some of the innovative ideas of these Japanese and implement them into our vehicles.