Feed: ASM Auto Recycling's Blog - AggScore: 50.1

GM announces semi-autonomous self-driving cars to go on sale this decade

General Motors has announced it anticipates releasing a semi-autonomous self-driving car this decade. The American car manufacturers have reported that most of the requirements for semi-autonomous driving are already in place.

Modern safety features such as blind-spot recognition, lane-departure warnings and collision mitigation are already in place to equip a car with the potential to drive itself on motorways.

Nady Boules, director of electrical and controls integrated research at General Motors, said: "If you combine these elements and take each of them to an extreme, we could have a car that can’t crash and a car that can drive itself."

GM’s Cadillac division has a "Super Cruise" system on test, with its research vehicles built with automatic steering, braking and lane-centring on motorways under certain road conditions. It is claimed that this technology could be prepared for production vehicles in as few as three years’ time.

Mr Boules confirmed that full autonomy could well be possible with the ability to ease congestion on the roads, eliminate the need for traffic lights and reduce the number of accidents with these "crash-proof" vehicles. He revealed the adoption of a fully autonomous car is "further off" but that some progress would be made on that front throughout the decade.

How would you feel about scrapping your car for a model that could drive itself? While the idea sounds great in theory, many people struggle to adapt to change and the innovation of a self-driving car would certainly take a lot of getting used to. It would also require a lot of trust in the vehicles themselves as drivers put their safety in the hands of an autonomous system.

IAM claims 57% of UK cyclists jump red lights

The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has this week released a report regarding the actions of cyclists across the country, following a poll of 1,600 bike users.

The survey looked into the habits of cyclists at traffic lights with more than half of the IAM’s respondents (57 per cent) admitting to jumping red lights. The primary reason cyclists gave for doing so was because it was safer to get ahead of other traffic.

Almost half of respondents (48 per cent) believed that poor road layouts and badly designed junctions were a major concern for cyclists. However, 54 per cent of cyclists themselves also believed that their fellow bikers should improve their behaviour on the roads by sticking to the Highway Code at junctions.

Simon Best, chief executive of the IAM, said: "Cyclists are right to feel that roads are not cycle friendly enough and this is reflected in their behaviour. But while poor junction design, inconsistent cycle paths and inconsiderate drivers put cyclists at risk, cyclists also have to help themselves.

"Changes to road layouts and junctions can improve safety for cyclists, but no junction will ever be safe for those who continue to jump red lights. It’s dangerous and illegal.

"The police need to enforce the law as strongly when cyclists put themselves and others at risk by jumping the lights, as they do for drivers. They also need to ensure that drivers are pulled up for crossing advanced stop lines that protect cyclists."

As a motorist are you aware of the advanced stop lines on busy roads? According to the IAM’s report, 22 per cent of drivers surveyed did not know that stopping over an advanced stop line is in fact illegal.

If you are guilty of parking inside these boxes, which are designed to put cyclists ahead of other traffic, giving them a head start when the lights go from red to green, you are putting your vehicle and other road users in danger.

At ASM Auto Recycling we receive a number of vehicles from insurers, damaged from road accidents due to such uncertainties as these. As a result we have over 1,000 damage-repairable cars available to purchase in our online salvage auction every week.

Spotted: 10 hilarious UK road signs

Let’s face it, we all need road signs to help direct us from A to B on the highways. But in true British fashion there are instances where we come across some utterly bizarre road signs and meanings that put a smile on our faces behind the wheel.

Prepare to be amazed with our collection of some of the most amusing and baffling road signs from Britain’s streets:

Are you sure you're not lying to us?

Secrecy is clearly not their strong point...

No stunt men allowed.

Beware people with bendy backs!

Shouldn't this belong in an art gallery?!

© Copyright Peter Robinson and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Thanks for telling us Sherlock...

Beware of mole hills?

We challenge you not to take a wrong turning here...

Beware: Men with giant umbrellas ahead

Winner of the 2012 'How to state the blindingly obvious' award

Increased volume of used cars easing pressure on dealers

The number of second-hand cars entering the used car market has taken away some of the strain for dealerships that have recently found it difficult to source used cars at fair prices.

The influx of part-exchange cars is partly responsible for "taking the edge off prices", according to used car pricing experts CAP.

CAP has reported that the dip in prices is not likely to threaten the medium-to-long term stability of the marketplace.

Mike Hind of CAP, said: "A year ago the increase in volume was much more of a cause for concern because it was largely driven by dealer self-registrations. This was due to severe weakness in the new car market and it meant a sudden and large influx of late plate cars into the market.

"This time more of the March new car sales represented genuine business and the fact that there are around 15,000 fewer 0-12 month old cars advertised for sale at present than a year ago is evidence for that.

"The dynamic in the trade market has clearly shifted from that of a few weeks ago when franchise and independent dealers were competing hard for every quality used car and consequently finding it difficult to maintain satisfactory profit per unit. Now the heat is off we are hearing reports that margins are improving for many."

Quality used cars can be maintained to roadworthy standard without having to pay for brand new car parts from dealerships. At ASM Auto Recycling our used car parts department contains over 250,000 guaranteed and tested parts. Purchasing parts processed through our car recycling workshop makes economic sense and is ideal for those who know their way under a car bonnet.

The used car market is certainly buoyant at present, particularly with the fuel price war on British motorists still rife. More drivers are considering visiting an online salvage auction as a means of picking up a bargain. These cars have been sourced direct from insurance companies that can be repaired and restored to roadworthy condition at bargain basement prices.

Toyota responsible for 75% of UK hybrid car market

Japanese vehicle manufacturer Toyota has revealed they have currently held a market share of more than three quarters of the UK hybrid car market over the last five years.

Almost 100,000 hybrid cars have been sold between 2007 and March 2012 – 77,000 of which were Toyota-made vehicles, either from Toyota’s everyday brand or its high-class subsidiary Lexus.

These are encouraging figures for Toyota, at a time when the overall market share of hybrid cars in the UK almost doubled from 0.7 per cent to 1.3 per cent. Toyota successfully stole a march on its competitors by introducing its first Prius in Japan 15 years ago. In February this year Toyota astonishingly sold its 2.5 millionth Prius model.

Although many of its competitors are now implementing their own hybrid development programmes Toyota’s vehicle remains the only commercially-successful ‘full hybrid’ system where the engine is not constantly required to run in the background.

Hybrid cars are 25 per cent more efficient than other cars. They achieve this level of efficiency by combining an electric motor with a conventional car engine. The electric motor is used to charge the batteries allowing it to provide the sole power supply of the car at selected times.

A recent study from Deloitte of young drivers in America found they are becoming increasingly concerned with being environmentally friendly as opposed to driving a fast sports car. With more eco-friendly hybrid cars coming to market the trend for sporty cars appears to be declining worldwide.

Owners of inefficient second-hand cars are now choosing to scrap cars for cash, putting the funds towards new eco-friendly models. Car scrapping techniques have evolved over recent years and at ASM Auto Recycling our car recycling team has significant expertise in the art of vehicle de-pollution including the removal and storage of potential toxins from end-of-life vehicles and also the restoration of used car parts to good working order.

RHA slams Government for not addressing fuel duty issue

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has spoken out against the Government following the news that the UK has entered a double-dip recession period, with the economy shrinking by 0.2 per cent in Q1 2012.

Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the RHA, could not hide his disappointment at the Government for not attempting to tackle the problem of fuel duty, with reduced taxes on petrol and diesel fuels likely to provide savings for motorists that can be fed back into the economy through a number of other channels.

"Of course we are disappointed at the news that the UK has returned to a state of recession. However, what comes as an even greater disappointment is that this news is not unexpected," he said.

"If the Government would heed our advice and address the issue of fuel duty once and for all, this is a situation that could almost certainly have been avoided.

"Users of petrol and diesel fuels are desperate to see a reduction in fuel duty. The price of a tank of fuel would reduce and the subsequent savings would be put back into the economy, giving trade the boost it so desperately needs."

Reducing driving costs is most definitely a pertinent issue for UK motorists, who are battling against increasing fuel, car insurance and road tax costs. Second hand car owners in particular are choosing to keep their existing car on the road for as long as possible with the purchase of used car parts that are recycled from end-of-life vehicles sent to be scrapped for cash.

At ASM Auto Recycling we proudly supply second hand car owners with an excellent range of recycled car parts that are cleaned, tested and protected by our very own 90-day guarantee. If you are looking for peace of mind at the wheel then make the most of our car recycling expertise today.

How safe are Britain’s roads: 5 devastating road accidents

Following the recent news that even mobility scooter drivers in South Yorkshire are to be given a crash course in road safety it only serves to highlight the importance of keeping safe on Britain’s roads.

Many drivers take their driving licence for granted. After passing your test do you take active steps towards improving your driving skills further? Or do you simply take to the roads come rain or shine, regardless of traffic densities and risks?

Sadly road accidents are an inevitable occurrence when you consider just how many people use our nation’s highways. In order to make you even further aware of the devastation possible on the motorways here are five of Britain’s most devastating road accidents in history.

M5 crash – 4^th November 2011

Following a sickening 34-vehicle pile-up on a stretch of the M5 motorway in Somerset seven people were killed and 51 injured in one of the worst accidents on the UK’s roads in 20 years. Fog banks and wet road surfaces caused the pile-up which created a frightening fireball; such was the intensity of the crash.

M4 crash – 13^th March 1991

The worst road accident prior to the latest M5 incident, this 51-car pile-up on the Hungerford stretch of the M4 in Berkshire took the lives of 10 people and injured 25 others after a van skidded into the central reservation due to heavy fog in a morning rush hour. A cautionary tale that many drivers must always adhere to!

M61 crash – 28^th October 1987

Road accidents can occur just as easily in stationary traffic as the M61 crash in October 1987 proved when a diesel tank collided with vehicles near Preston, Lancashire. 12 people were killed as a result of the impact with a further six injured.

M6 crash – 21^st October 1985

Another sickening fatal accident occurring in stationary traffic – this time due to construction work on the M6 – which saw a coach career into parked vehicles killing 13 passengers.

B6265 crash – 27^th May 1975

Officially the worst ever road accident on Britain’s roads, the coach crash on the B6265 in the Yorkshire Dales took the lives of 33 passengers. The brakes on the 45-seat coach rapidly overheated as it rolled down a hill, crashing through a steel safety barrier, hitting the parapet of ‘Dibbles Bridge’ and plunging 15 feet head-long into a ravine.

These are genuine cautionary tales that we encourage our customers to keep firmly in mind when driving on busy roads regardless of peak or off-peak times.

However, if your car has been written off in an accident our very own vehicle salvage service can retrieve your car to be taken back to one of our car recycling sites for dismantling in accordance with the Environment Agency’s end-of-life vehicle directive.

Nissan offers 'vote of confidence' to UK motor industry

Japanese car giant Nissan has provided the UK motor industry with a significant vote of confidence as it aims to build its new hatchback at its UK plant in Sunderland.

Over 1,000 jobs are likely to be created with the manufacturing of the new medium-sized model to begin in 2014.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, vice-president for UK manufacturing at Nissan, said: "It’s too early for the new car to be named or to give any technical details. But it will be a C-segment hatchback so it will be in direct competition with the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

"It’s a big vote for the car industry. We’re not the only one to have a lot of positive announcements lately

"The car industry in the UK is pretty buoyant at the moment, particularly the companies which have strong products and strong export markets."

The announcement of the production of Nissan’s new mid-range vehicle in the UK marks the manufacturer’s return to the mainstream market in the UK but it remains to be seen whether this model will encourage motorists to purchase brand new models in favour of economical second hand vehicles.

With the war on fuel prices showing no sign of abating, an increasing number of UK motorists are beginning to look toward used cars with smaller engines to get from A to B as cheaply as possible. The cost of repairing a second hand car is also significantly smaller than the outlay of a brand new model, particularly with used car parts so readily accessible.

The salvage car market is also picking up in pace with vehicles sourced direct from insurance companies available to purchase at greatly reduced rates.

Although an online salvage auction is best suited to those who know their way around a vehicle to carry out repairs and restore it to roadworthy condition, it is also possible to get the work carried out by a trusted garage and still save valuable cash.

Summer holidaymakers alert: Driving laws in France

Are you planning a summer holiday adventure across the Channel to France? If you are taking the ferry and driving your car overseas then you must be aware of the driving laws in France that are very different to the rules we are used to here in the UK.

Perhaps the most interesting development in recent French driving laws was that motorists driving on French loads were required to carry a breathalyser kit on-board from July 2012. Drivers without a kit can be fined 11 euros. At a cost of £2 each it seems silly not to purchase one to determine whether you comply with the nation’s drink-drive limit.

Here are a handful of other issues to be aware of before setting off on your summer adventures in France.

Make sure you drive on the right

Possibly the one driving rule that many of us are already aware of is that France and many other European countries drive on the right hand side of the road as opposed to the left. With this in mind it is important to take care when pulling out of service stations and lay-bys when you are on the left side of the road.

Headlights

This may not occur to you but when a driver flashes his headlights in the UK it doesn’t mean the same as it does in France!

A message from the European Traffic Police Network said: “If a French driver flashes his headlights, beware! He’s likely to be telling you HE has right of way.”

Speed cameras

If you are intending on taking a satnav system with you on your journey across France it is imperative you make sure the device does not have the ability to detect the location of speed cameras. The French police have the authority to fine you 1,500 euros even if the device is disabled!

Speed limits

The speed limits in France differ to the UK:

• Motorways – 130km/h (110km/h on express highways)
• Secondary rural roads – 90km/h
• Towns – 50km/h (often cut to 20-30km/h in congested areas)

Drink-drive limits

Drink-drive limits are considerably more stringent than in the UK. While the limit in the UK is 80mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, in France the limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The last thing you want is to have too much of a bottle of Blanc and end up having to head to a car recycling centre on your return home!

Driving rules aside, France is a beautiful country to visit and drive through with beautiful scenery, weather, food and drink to keep you entertained all the way.

Summer is on its way – take the convertible!

With the summer sunshine well and truly on its way the demand for convertible hire cars has experienced unprecedented growth across the UK in recent weeks.

The unseasonably good weather has sparked incredible interest in the use of soft-top vehicles across Britain’s roads, with car rental provider Sixt reporting requests had increased in the last week alone by a whopping 370 per cent!

With the Easter break now upon families and children off school for the next fortnight the provider believes there could be even greater demand in the coming days.

Paul McLoughlin, managing director of Sixt UK, said: "What better way to enjoy the sunshine than cruising with the top down. With the recent spate of glorious weather, we’ve seen requests for convertibles increase nearly four-fold for the Easter period."

The most popular convertible model was said to be the Mercedes E-Class, as well as the Volkswagen Eos and Mercedes SLK.

Leading financial advice experts have advised convertible car owners and rentals to be aware of the increased risk involved with driving and leaving a convertible vehicle unattended in the summer. Car insurance bills may increase as a result; therefore drivers may prefer to look at the coupe-cabriolet models that are fitted with a folding hard top. These also retain their seasonal value in comparison to soft tops.

Many second hand car owners who put their vehicle through its MOT or service this and find it would simply cost too much to repair this summer can say to their friends "I’m going to scrap my car for cash!" thanks to us at ASM Auto Recycling.

Our careful car recycling methods are carried out in line with the European ELV Directive, providing our customers with some useful funds to put towards another vehicle – perhaps even a convertible run-around for the summer!

What’s your favourite soft top convertible? Do you own one yourself? Tell us your convertible stories today!