. Nissan has unveiled its nanopaint technology that stops a car getting dirty
. First car to trial the paint, which costs £450 ($750), will be the Nissan Note
. The 'super-hydrophobic' and 'oleophobic' paint repels water and oils
. Nissan says the technology 'could make car washes obsolete'
. Watch 1min 8 sec video: www.dailymail.co.uk/video/sciencetech/video-1092163/Nissan-developed-self-cleaning-prototype-car.html
Japanese giant Nissan has developed the world's first 'self-cleaning car' which it predicts will make car-washing 'obsolete.'
Its UK engineers are testing innovative 'nano-paint technology' which repels dirt before it gets a chance to take hold on the paintwork. The coating is made by UltraTech International Inc
For drivers who would rather run a mile than wipe down their dirty vehicles with a sponge or wince at the high cost of a car-wash, it means salvation may soon be at hand.
It is set to be an option on future models but is being tested in Britain on the new Sunderland-built Nissan Note which went on sale in October priced from £12,100 to £17,100.
No price has yet been set but it is likely to be around £450 ($750) – or similar to a metallic paint option.
A Nissan spokesman said:
"The Nissan Note is first car to trial paint which could make car washes obsolete.
"Washing a car can be a chore - and a costly one at that. In response, Nissan has begun tests on innovative paint technology that repels mud, rain and everyday dirt, meaning drivers may never have to clean their car again."
Scientists have developed 'super-hydrophobic' and 'oleophobic' paint, which repels water and oils. It has been applied to the all-new Nissan Note supermini to create what it calls 'the world's first self-cleaning car'.
Nissan says it is the first carmaker to apply the trade-marked technology called Ultra-Ever Dry® on automotive bodywork and will be testing it 'in the real world' over the coming months at its European Technical Centre at Cranfield in Bedfordshire.
Explaining how the dirt-repellent coating works, a Nissan spokesman said: 'By creating a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, it effectively stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car's surface.'
The Note already features a 'wash and blow dry' function on its rear view camera. This uses water and compressed air to automatically keep the lens free of dirt and ensure the Notes' safety sensors work in all conditions.
A spokesman said: 'So far, the coating has responded well to common use cases including rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water.'
Chief marketing manager Geraldine Ingham said;
"The Nissan Note has been carefully engineered to take the stress out of customer driving and Nissan's engineers are constantly thinking of new ways to make families' lives easier.
'We are committed to addressing everyday problems our customers face and will always consider testing exciting, cutting edge technology like this incredible coating application."
Friday 25 April 2014
Friday 18 April 2014
High Court Judge refuses whiplash damages, describing Britain's compensation culture as a "national phenomenon"
A High Court Judge recently dismissed the claims of two women for whiplash as lies as he said Britain's compensation culture, which costs billions every year, is getting out of control.
Mr Justice Mostyn dismissed the claims as inaccurate and evasive, based on "an improper pecuniary motive," as he refused to grant damages to two women to "stem the tide" of fake insurance claims.
The women, both immigration officers, took at least a week to report any pain from the crash, described as a "little bump" by others. The court heard it took 18 days for her to complain to her GP about any pain, and Miss Hennessy waited a week before she went to her doctor to report any injury as a result of the impact.
Describing Britain's compensation culture is a "national phenomenon", Judge Mostyn said: "It is proper that I should go on to record that I do not accept the evidence of either of them, which I find to be inaccurate, evasive, partial and advanced for an improper pecuniary motive".
"This is yet a further example of the national phenomenon of false whiplash claims being made and it is in an attempt to stem the tide that I do not shrink from making firm adverse findings against them".
Mr Justice Mostyn said expert medical evidence which appeared to back up the accounts of both women was so similar it cast doubt on the professional objectivity of the expert. In identical terms, medical reports said both had suffered "nervous shock and psychological trauma" and endured "recurrent obtrusive memories of the accident and obsessional thoughts as to how she might have been seriously injured."
Both reports, prepared by a consultant physician, said the women had described their physical symptoms as "severe and constant", having taken many months to clear up.
However the court heard that there was no visible damage to the car after the accident and neither woman reported any injury at the time or asked for time off work.
Mr Justice Mostyn added: "Obviously it is, in terms of probability, almost inconceivable that each of these women would have suffered physically or mentally in precisely the same way."
The court heard Denise Withey, the driver of the Skoda Octavia, had described the accident as minor and her account was backed up by Raymond Stevens, a front seat passenger.
Miss Withey had taken photographs of the car which showed no damage was caused by the impact, and Mr Justice Mostyn described her as a "completely honest witness."
He said: "The contemporaneous material clearly shows that the impact was trivial; that no damage was caused to the vehicle; no hurt was suffered by the front passengers and that any hurt suffered by the rear passengers was trivial, of short duration and therefore non-compensable".
He said Miss Withey had no motive to lie and accepted she drove at low speed and the impact was minor.
He also accepted Miss McIntyre had immediately shouted about her neck and said she could make a compensation claim, and dismissed the cases of both women.
Paula McIntyre and Louise Hennessy made the claim against the Home Office after the work car they were in hit a bollard as it drove out of Seaforth Dock in Liverpool in October 2008.
After the crash a colleague heard Miss McIntyre say: "My neck, my neck, I can make a compensation claim."
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Mr Justice Mostyn dismissed the claims as inaccurate and evasive, based on "an improper pecuniary motive," as he refused to grant damages to two women to "stem the tide" of fake insurance claims.
The women, both immigration officers, took at least a week to report any pain from the crash, described as a "little bump" by others. The court heard it took 18 days for her to complain to her GP about any pain, and Miss Hennessy waited a week before she went to her doctor to report any injury as a result of the impact.
Describing Britain's compensation culture is a "national phenomenon", Judge Mostyn said: "It is proper that I should go on to record that I do not accept the evidence of either of them, which I find to be inaccurate, evasive, partial and advanced for an improper pecuniary motive".
Mr Justice Mostyn said expert medical evidence which appeared to back up the accounts of both women was so similar it cast doubt on the professional objectivity of the expert. In identical terms, medical reports said both had suffered "nervous shock and psychological trauma" and endured "recurrent obtrusive memories of the accident and obsessional thoughts as to how she might have been seriously injured."
Both reports, prepared by a consultant physician, said the women had described their physical symptoms as "severe and constant", having taken many months to clear up.
However the court heard that there was no visible damage to the car after the accident and neither woman reported any injury at the time or asked for time off work.
Mr Justice Mostyn added: "Obviously it is, in terms of probability, almost inconceivable that each of these women would have suffered physically or mentally in precisely the same way."
The court heard Denise Withey, the driver of the Skoda Octavia, had described the accident as minor and her account was backed up by Raymond Stevens, a front seat passenger.
Miss Withey had taken photographs of the car which showed no damage was caused by the impact, and Mr Justice Mostyn described her as a "completely honest witness."
He said: "The contemporaneous material clearly shows that the impact was trivial; that no damage was caused to the vehicle; no hurt was suffered by the front passengers and that any hurt suffered by the rear passengers was trivial, of short duration and therefore non-compensable".
He said Miss Withey had no motive to lie and accepted she drove at low speed and the impact was minor.
He also accepted Miss McIntyre had immediately shouted about her neck and said she could make a compensation claim, and dismissed the cases of both women.
Paula McIntyre and Louise Hennessy made the claim against the Home Office after the work car they were in hit a bollard as it drove out of Seaforth Dock in Liverpool in October 2008.
After the crash a colleague heard Miss McIntyre say: "My neck, my neck, I can make a compensation claim."
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Saturday 12 April 2014
Bradford 'ghost broker' jailed for fraud by false representation and forgery
Atique Khan, a ghost broker, based from Bradford, has been jailed for promoting invalid car insurance to motorists across the city.
Khan, 33, posed as motor broker and for 5 months to December 2011, when he defrauded both First Central and his clientele - selling false policies to over fifty drivers.
He obtained true policies from First Central, by delivering the insurer with false information and forged no claims paperwork to get premiums at a cheaper price tag.
He then charged drivers more than the premium, plus a managing fee, for insurance that was immediately invalid due to the misinformation.
The scam was exposed in January 2012 when Initial Central discovered all of the policies incorporated identical email addresses, and referred the situation to the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), which launched a criminal investigation.
Khan was arrested at his home in the Queensbury district of Bradford, in which officers seized numerous insurance documents, £1,000 in cash, a computer, laptop, 2 iPads and many mobile phones, on which forged no claims documents were found.
In court in March, Khan pleaded guilty to 5 counts of fraud by false representation, 14 counts of utilizing a forged article and one particular count of possession of criminal residence, and he was this morning jailed for 12 months.
DS Mark Forster, who led the IFED investigation, stated: "Khan devised a car insurance scam that saw him ruthlessly target members of his neighbourhood to make thousands of pounds.
"He left his victims unknowingly out on the street with no insurance, exposing them and other drivers to risk and economic loss, but now the court has ensured he will pay out the cost for his fraud."
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Khan, 33, posed as motor broker and for 5 months to December 2011, when he defrauded both First Central and his clientele - selling false policies to over fifty drivers.
He obtained true policies from First Central, by delivering the insurer with false information and forged no claims paperwork to get premiums at a cheaper price tag.
He then charged drivers more than the premium, plus a managing fee, for insurance that was immediately invalid due to the misinformation.
The scam was exposed in January 2012 when Initial Central discovered all of the policies incorporated identical email addresses, and referred the situation to the City of London Police Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), which launched a criminal investigation.
Khan was arrested at his home in the Queensbury district of Bradford, in which officers seized numerous insurance documents, £1,000 in cash, a computer, laptop, 2 iPads and many mobile phones, on which forged no claims documents were found.
In court in March, Khan pleaded guilty to 5 counts of fraud by false representation, 14 counts of utilizing a forged article and one particular count of possession of criminal residence, and he was this morning jailed for 12 months.
DS Mark Forster, who led the IFED investigation, stated: "Khan devised a car insurance scam that saw him ruthlessly target members of his neighbourhood to make thousands of pounds.
"He left his victims unknowingly out on the street with no insurance, exposing them and other drivers to risk and economic loss, but now the court has ensured he will pay out the cost for his fraud."
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Thursday 10 April 2014
Motorists unhappy with pothole performance
Research conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has found 67% of motorists think the government is doing a bad job maintaining the nation’s roads
Almost two thirds (65%) of female drivers believe that the government is doing a bad or very bad job, but the figure increases for male drivers 69 per cent unhappy with the current state of the roads.
A third of drivers (34) think that their council is cutting spending on road maintenance but 60% of drivers don’t know if budgets are being cut, suggesting councils are performing poorly on informing and engaging with local residents. Over half of drivers (52%) think that local councils are doing a bad or very bad job of looking after local roads. Fifty-seven per cent of males and 49% of females believe their council is doing a bad or very bad job.
IAM chief executive Simon Best said, ‘Despite the government’s pothole review, there is a high level of dissatisfaction with the efforts of authorities to keep our roads safe and smooth drive or ride on.
‘The government need to convince motorists that they have a real cure for the pothole pandemic. This can only be achieved through clear communication on new policies, more sharing of resources, sustained long-term funding and a continued commitment to eradicating the maintenance backlog of crumbling British roads.’
http://www.bodyshopmag.com/news-motorists-unhappy-with-pothole-performance.aspx
Almost two thirds (65%) of female drivers believe that the government is doing a bad or very bad job, but the figure increases for male drivers 69 per cent unhappy with the current state of the roads.
A third of drivers (34) think that their council is cutting spending on road maintenance but 60% of drivers don’t know if budgets are being cut, suggesting councils are performing poorly on informing and engaging with local residents. Over half of drivers (52%) think that local councils are doing a bad or very bad job of looking after local roads. Fifty-seven per cent of males and 49% of females believe their council is doing a bad or very bad job.IAM chief executive Simon Best said, ‘Despite the government’s pothole review, there is a high level of dissatisfaction with the efforts of authorities to keep our roads safe and smooth drive or ride on.
‘The government need to convince motorists that they have a real cure for the pothole pandemic. This can only be achieved through clear communication on new policies, more sharing of resources, sustained long-term funding and a continued commitment to eradicating the maintenance backlog of crumbling British roads.’
http://www.bodyshopmag.com/news-motorists-unhappy-with-pothole-performance.aspx
Monday 7 April 2014
Low petrol prices fail to stimulate pump sales
The AA says that petrol prices are at their lowest for nearly three years but lower prices failed to revitalise UK pump sales during the last quarter of 2013, as new government figures reveals.
Overall, petrol demand in 2013 fell by more than 850 million litres, equivalent to 19 days consumption.
Demand for petrol from October to December fell 4.2% compared to the same period in 2012, but the big four supermarkets were hit hardest with a 4.9% reduction while other retailers saw sales fall 3.6%.
Diesel
Sales of diesel at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrison's and Asda fared better than on non-supermarket forecourts, with a 2.8% boost in the final quarter of last year as opposed to a 1.5% increase at non-supermarket fuel stations.
Overall, UK diesel demand from October to December rose 2.0%, helped by a 2.0% rise in commercial sales.
A 4.3% boost to supermarket sales of diesel contributed most to an overall 1.8% increase in UK diesel sales in 2013 compared to the year before. This added more than 450 million litres to demand or the equivalent of an extra week's consumption.
Balancing spending
"From September to November, the pump price of petrol fell from a late summer peak 138.38p a litre to a low of 130.13p, before hovering around the 131p level for the rest of the year. In 2012, petrol sales recovered when prices fell – but not in 2013," says Edmund King, the AA's president.
"We think that, having learnt to use car travel and fuel consumption as a budgetary lever, UK families reacted accordingly when faced with the threat of a 10% rise in domestic energy costs. In December, when we gauged how 17,629 AA members would respond to a power cost surge, 35% said that cutting back on car use was their way to balance spending."
Fight back?
Although supermarkets have been charging more consistently for fuel, with the price gap between rural towns much less, their share of petrol sales has fallen more than for other retailers.
Price-matching and reward point schemes that offer pretty much the same may have made it harder for consumers to distinguish between the two types of retailer. However, Tesco's new reward card fuel offer may indicate a fight back that other supermarkets will follow. More competitive diesel prices, though, seem to be working better for supermarkets.
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Overall, petrol demand in 2013 fell by more than 850 million litres, equivalent to 19 days consumption.
Demand for petrol from October to December fell 4.2% compared to the same period in 2012, but the big four supermarkets were hit hardest with a 4.9% reduction while other retailers saw sales fall 3.6%.
Diesel
Sales of diesel at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrison's and Asda fared better than on non-supermarket forecourts, with a 2.8% boost in the final quarter of last year as opposed to a 1.5% increase at non-supermarket fuel stations.
Overall, UK diesel demand from October to December rose 2.0%, helped by a 2.0% rise in commercial sales.
A 4.3% boost to supermarket sales of diesel contributed most to an overall 1.8% increase in UK diesel sales in 2013 compared to the year before. This added more than 450 million litres to demand or the equivalent of an extra week's consumption.
Balancing spending
"From September to November, the pump price of petrol fell from a late summer peak 138.38p a litre to a low of 130.13p, before hovering around the 131p level for the rest of the year. In 2012, petrol sales recovered when prices fell – but not in 2013," says Edmund King, the AA's president.
"We think that, having learnt to use car travel and fuel consumption as a budgetary lever, UK families reacted accordingly when faced with the threat of a 10% rise in domestic energy costs. In December, when we gauged how 17,629 AA members would respond to a power cost surge, 35% said that cutting back on car use was their way to balance spending."
Fight back?
Although supermarkets have been charging more consistently for fuel, with the price gap between rural towns much less, their share of petrol sales has fallen more than for other retailers.
Price-matching and reward point schemes that offer pretty much the same may have made it harder for consumers to distinguish between the two types of retailer. However, Tesco's new reward card fuel offer may indicate a fight back that other supermarkets will follow. More competitive diesel prices, though, seem to be working better for supermarkets.
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Friday 4 April 2014
Bad driving habits revealed
A new survey into the bad habits of British drivers has uncovered:
. 58% of people will risk cutting across another vehicle if they are not in the correct lane;
. 77% sometimes or regularly eat/drink while driving;
. 45% of motorists are willing to speed by 20 mph or more on dual carriageways and motorways;
. 81% check out other drivers to see if they're attractive.
Aggressive Driving
Aggressive driving is a common problem on roads across the world, and the UK is no exception, as our survey has revealed.
Cars in front of us not going as fast as we'd like prove to be one of our biggest bug-bears, with tailgating representing the most common response.
61% of those surveyed admitted to tailgating the car in front when they weren't going as fast as they were, with almost 1 in 4 of us (24%) claiming to do so 'often' or 'all of the time'.
More aggressive reactions such as flashing headlights, sounding the horn or gesturing were less common, with 73% claiming to never do so, however at least 10% of respondents admitted that this is how they deal with this situation 'often' or 'all of the time'.
It was also surprising how many of us will take a risk cutting across another driver if they are in the wrong lane. Although only 14% will do so often or more, a massive 44% will do so if they "think it is safe".
Distractions
Despite recent laws toughening up on using a mobile phone while driving, a significant proportion of UK drivers will still take a call or send a text when behind the wheel.
Although the majority of motorists would never take a call on a handheld phone (65%) or send a text (63%) while driving, 51% would answer a hands-free phone (20% 'All of the time'; 31% if they thought it was important),
However we're even more distracted by food and drink behind the wheel, with 26% of respondents eating or drinking whenever they felt the need, and over half (51%) doing so at least some of the time.
The car radio/CD player and sat-nav are also common distractions for modern drivers, with only 6% of those surveyed claiming to never adjust either of them while in motion.
Signalling
We all know the importance of indicating our intentions when out on the road, and 83% of respondents only fail to indicate if they forget to do so, while 81% check to make sure the various bulbs are working correctly at least every 3-6 months.
Speeding
Speeding to some degree is undoubtedly one of the most common habits drivers display, and a staggering 38% of drivers admit to speeding on ALL kinds of roads - even those where vulnerable road users may be present.
Unsurprisingly, it is on dual carriageways and motorways where people are most likely to speed, with 45% of motorists happy to drive at least 90 mph, while almost 1 in 4 (24%) claiming to speed by as much as they can feel they "can get away with".
The percentage of those who claim to never speed on 40 mph, 50 mph and 60 mph roads increases to 30%, while the majority also speed by up to 10 mph at least on 30 mph roads (58%).
Even on 20 mph roads and school zones the percentage of motorists willing to speed is 38%, with almost one third of those willing to do so by 20 mph or more.
Perhaps the most telling statistic though is to the question of whether motorists believe their bad habits put themselves or others in danger. Almost half (44%) claimed that their bad habits weren't dangerous, while 37% felt that the risk was not greater than any other driver.
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Thursday 3 April 2014
Crash for Cash - Reading gang arrested in raids
Police have arrested four men after raiding properties across Reading as part of an investigation into "crash for cash" insurance scams.
Officers searched buildings in Cardiff Road, Wantage Road, Cholmeley Road, Elm Park Road, and Elm Lodge Avenue.
The men, aged 27, 30, 38 and 39, and all from Reading, were arrested on suspicion of fraud.
"Crash for cash" is thought to involve people staging collisions in order to make claims against motorists.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) is investigating crashes between March and September 2013 in the South and Vale, Abingdon, and Oxford areas, in what is being called Operation Shunt.
Police said a "substantial amount of cash was seized" and that another man, 27, has detained by immigration enforcement officers.
Det Insp Louise Roddy said: "The types of offences we have been investigating present a risk to the public so this operation sends out a clear message that TVP takes such offences seriously and will deal with any offenders robustly."
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
Officers searched buildings in Cardiff Road, Wantage Road, Cholmeley Road, Elm Park Road, and Elm Lodge Avenue.
"Crash for cash" is thought to involve people staging collisions in order to make claims against motorists.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) is investigating crashes between March and September 2013 in the South and Vale, Abingdon, and Oxford areas, in what is being called Operation Shunt.
Police said a "substantial amount of cash was seized" and that another man, 27, has detained by immigration enforcement officers.
Det Insp Louise Roddy said: "The types of offences we have been investigating present a risk to the public so this operation sends out a clear message that TVP takes such offences seriously and will deal with any offenders robustly."
http://www.motorworldarc.co.uk/news.asp
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