China's huge bet on new-energy vehicles has understandably gotten the world's attention. But a less flashy phenomenon now underway may be at least as consequential for the environment in the near term: China is finally getting into used cars.A familiar ritual in most countries, buying vehicles secondhand had until recently been all but unknown in China. In most markets, sales of used cars outpace those of new ones by a wide margin, usually two-to-one or more. About 39 million used cars were sold in the U.S. last year, for instance, compared to 17 million new ones. In China, the opposite prevailed: 29 million new cars sold, and just 12 million used ones.That's thanks to some quirks in China's auto market. Until the late 2000s, poor-quality manufacturing limited the lifespan of Chinese-made cars, while prospective secondhand buyers had few ways to determine a vehicle's ownership and accident history. The industry was also highly fragmented, with a well-earned reputation for … [Read more...] about China’s Next Big Thing? Used Cars.
Used car owners
Ukraine may introduce “old age” tax on used cars imports
The corresponding bill is expected to be submitted in the next two to three weeks. Photo from UNIAN Ukrainian MP from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc parliamentary faction, Robert Gorvat, says the parliament's tax and customs policy committee has prepared a bill to introduce the "old age" tax related to the used cars imports. "Restricting car imports through environmental standards is a temporary method, and it's wrong. Almost no one does it this way in European countries and worldwide. It would be a normal thing to make someone who would like to buy a car pay for its 'old age.' The more a car pollutes the atmosphere, the more its owner must pay," the official told a press conference June 6. According to the lawmaker, the bill will be submitted in the next two to three weeks. In addition, Gorvat and a group of other parliamentarians developed an alternative bill with the same objectives. Read also Sales of new cars in Ukraine grow by 10% in Jan-May "The bill stipulates a … [Read more...] about Ukraine may introduce “old age” tax on used cars imports
Driver blocked in by “selfish” car owner issues £385 invoice for lost wages
A driver blocked in by "selfish and stupid" parking issued a car owner a £385 invoice after claiming he lost a day's wages. Stuart Barber slammed recently installed yellow lines and a lack of council parking permits which he said already make life on his street is an “absolute nightmare”. However, he was further enraged when he left for work last Wednesday morning to find a car parked in a "stupid and selfish manner" just inches away from his van, sandwiching him in, reports the Hertfordshire Mercury. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Stuart, from Bishop's Stortford, drew up a DIY invoice demanding payment of £385 — reduced to £192.50 if paid within seven days — and posted it on the car’s windscreen. “I put it on there a bit tongue in cheek and I didn’t expect anyone to pay it but you get to the point where you have to start making a stand,” he explained. “We just have a really serious parking problem on … [Read more...] about Driver blocked in by “selfish” car owner issues £385 invoice for lost wages
Electric car owner could be banned from charging car in road
The owner of an electric car at the centre of a row over power cables trailing along pavements has been told the practice is “dangerous and illegal” by Kirklees Council. The local authority has spoken to the Slaithwaite man who has been charging his petrol/electric hybrid at home using extension cables trailing around 30ft down the pavement. A neighbour has questioned the safety of the practice and now the council has told the Examiner that the car owner could face ‘formal action’. A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “The council is very supportive of the use of electric vehicles because of their environmental benefits. “We have been made aware of the situation and have spoken to the resident concerned, informing him that what he is doing is both dangerous and illegal as he is causing not only an obstruction but a health and safety risk on the highway. “He has been asked to stop this practice and we hope that this matter can be resolved amicably … [Read more...] about Electric car owner could be banned from charging car in road
Why new driving test is being recommended for self-driving car owners
Self-driving car owners should be made to take a new driving test and hold a specialist licence, a study has suggested. The recommendations – which also include strict new laws to ensure drivers pay attention while behind the wheel of an automated car – were made following a series of tests at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol. It comes after a woman in the US became the first pedestrian in the world to be killed by a driverless car, after being struck by an automated Uber vehicle in Arizona in March. A recent report by the Venturer study, which is being completed at UWE, has questioned whether motorists or manufacturers are ultimately responsible if a crash were to occur during a vehicle’s ‘handover’ period – which is the time it takes for a driver of an autonomous vehicle to take back control. The report referred to research conducted at UWE in 2016, which found it took just under two seconds for a driver to regain control of … [Read more...] about Why new driving test is being recommended for self-driving car owners