Reilly to lead Vauxhall/Opel operations

Ex-Vauxhall chief Nick Reilly has, as expected, officially assumed responsibility for the operations of Opel/Vauxhall Europe while an external search for a new CEO commences.

The move follows the recent departure of Carl-Peter Forster in the wake of General Motors’ decision last week not to push ahead with the sale of the Vauxhall/Opel business to Magna International

Mr Reilly, currently GM executive vice president and president, GM International Operations, has extensive prior experience in Europe with both the Opel and Vauxhall brands not least when he was chairman and managing director of Vauxhall in the late 1990s.

He began his GM career in 1975 and has worked around the globe for the company. Now, he will support the European leadership team in running the Opel/Vauxhall business and will oversee the creation of a strategy to position the brands for long-term success.

Additionally, Mr Reilly maintains overall direction of GM’s International Operations based in Shanghai, China, but day-to-day operations of the various international subsidiaries in his organisation will be handled by the respective country managing directors while he serves in Europe.

Fritz Henderson, GM president and CEO, said: “With his deep experience with the Opel and Vauxhall brands, Nick is well suited to lead this transition and to work toward the earliest possible normalization of the business.”

Hans Demant, GM Europe vice president engineering, managing director Adam Opel GmbH, retains his role leading the Opel Management Board and will work with Mr Reilly in the transition. (GM: November 10).

Car insurance costs men 71% more than women

Men pay on average 71% more than women for their motor insurance, according to research by moneysupermarket.com.

The price comparison site analysed over six million motor insurance quotes from between June 2008 and June 2009 and says the average motor insurance premium for a man is £886 – £386 more than the £517 average for a woman.

In addition, it is teenagers who see the starkest difference between premiums, with an 18 year old male paying £1,081 more than a female of the same age. Teenage males who gain themselves a few years experience on the roads however, will see a reduction in premiums from an average £2,318 to £1,004 when they hit 20.

But, men continue to pay significantly more for their car insurance the younger they are. Men in their twenties pay on average £1,004 a year – a 112% difference to a man in their thirties who will oay around £473 by comparison.

Likewise, women can expect to see significant decreases in the costs of their premiums as they get older, paying on average £260 if they are in their forties in comparison to £598 for a woman in her twenties.

Steve Sweeney, head of motor insurance at moneysupermarket.com said: “Many insurance companies view women as safer and more mature motorists and this is why their premiums are not only cheaper but also decrease with age at a much faster rate than those of men.

“Likewise, younger drivers, especially males, will find themselves having to fork out for expensive motor insurance as they are perceived as a high risk category. It is a shame that motor insurance premiums are based on age rather than experience.” (Moneysupermarket.com: November 10).

Road trains get ready to roll

Road trains that link vehicles together using wireless sensors could soon be on European roads.

A European Union-financed research project is looking at inexpensive ways of getting vehicles to travel in a ‘platoon’ on Europe’s motorways.

Each road train could include up to eight separate vehicles – cars, buses and trucks will be mixed in each one.

The EU hopes to cut fuel consumption, journey times and congestion by linking vehicles together.

Early work on the idea suggests that fuel consumption could be cut by 20% among those cars and trucks travelling behind the lead vehicle.

Towards the end of the research project trials will be held on test tracks in the UK, Spain and Sweden. There are also plans for public road trials in Spain. The first platoon will involve two trucks and three cars.

The lead vehicle would be handled by a professional driver who would monitor the status of the road train. Those in following vehicles could take their hands off the wheel, read a book or watch TV, while they travel along the motorway. Their vehicle would be controlled by the lead vehicle.

Funded under the European Commission’s Framework 7 research plan, SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) is aimed at commuters in cars who travel long distances to work every day but will also look at ways to involve commercial vehicles.

Tom Robinson, project co-ordinator at engineering firm Ricardo, said the idea was to use off-the-shelf components to make it possible for cars, buses and trucks to join the road train.

“The goal is to try and introduce a step change in transport methods,” he said. “Each of the vehicles will have their own control and software monitoring system.”

The idea is to make platoons active so vehicles can join and leave as they need.

SARTRE will run for three years. The project partners are currently undertaking preliminary research to find out all the elements needed for a working system and the situations in which it might be used. (BBC.co.uk: November 10).

Peugeot to drop GTI badge

Peugeot is to drop the famous GTI badge from its models, bringing to an end the hot hatch Peugeot.

Currently, the GTI tag is carried by the Peugeot 207 GTI. This will be dropped in the future as Peugeot’s sporting department switches its focus to coupes and other niche cars.

The stylish Peugeot RCZ is a taster of the hot Peugeots of the future. Mainstream hatchback model line-ups will, instead, focus on practicality, economy and quality.
(Car Dealer Magazine: November 10)