6:50 am, October 22, 2026
Halfords sales jump after warm weather boosts summer trading
Halfords has revealed a surge in sales for the past half-year after a boost from warm summer weather.
The retail firm reported stronger trading across both its motoring and cycling businesses.
Nevertheless, shares in the company slumped after it indicated that investment plans will weigh on profitability in the second half of the financial year.
National Express owner in talks over £282m takeover deal
National Express parent firm Mobico has said it is in talks over a £282 million takeover deal from a Spanish transport company.
Birmingham-based Mobico, which also runs bus operations in Spain, Portugal and Morocco, said Autobuses de Leon (AdL) has made a proposal to buy the company for 46p per share.
Mobico shares jumped by around 33% to 39.5p after the talks were confirmed on Wednesday morning. The proposal represented a roughly 56% premium on the closing price of Mobico shares on Tuesday evening.
Omoda’s X concept showcases future SUV model
Omoda could be on track to broaden its range with a new X concept.
Omoda, which sits underneath the wider Chery umbrella alongside brands such as Jaecoo and Lepas, already has a number of cars on sale in the UK but could soon be adding to it if this new concept makes it into production.
There are design elements of the Omoda 4 and Omoda 7 incorporated into the X, while the arrowhead-shaped headlights have also seen use on the Omoda 5.
The markets
Stocks in London made modest progress on Wednesday, despite accelerating UK inflation, with strong results from SpaceX giving sentiment a lift.
In London, the FTSE 100 index ended up 19.88 points, 0.2%, at 10,752.88.
In European equity markets on Wednesday, the CAC 40 in Paris ended up 1.1%, while the DAX 40 in Frankfurt leapt 1.4%.
Wednesday on Car Dealer
Inside Duke of London: Is ‘Merlin’s world of adventure’ the UK’s most unique supercar dealer?
Duke of London boss Merlin McCormack has built a unique automotive destination combining supercar sales, storage, hospitality and events, with average selling prices rising to £200,000.
Vertu boss Robert Forrester accuses politicians of waging ‘stealth war on the motorist’
Vertu Motors boss Robert Forrester accused politicians of waging a ‘stealth war on the motorist’, criticising the ZEV mandate, 20mph limits and proposed pay-per-mile taxation.
Big Motoring World to open latest used car supermarket in Coventry creating 100 jobs
Big Motoring World will open its 12th used car supermarket in Coventry in early 2027, creating over 100 jobs and stocking 550-plus vehicles, including at least 30% electric models.
Government announces crackdown on car clocking as dealers face tougher enforcement
The government plans tougher enforcement against car clocking by explicitly banning it as a commercial practice, while proposed parking rules would cap charges for minor mistakes at £20.
Snows begins work on new eco-friendly Toyota and Lexus dealership in Poole
Snows Motor Group has begun building a sustainable Toyota and Lexus dealership in Poole, replacing two existing showrooms with a combined site targeted to open in summer 2027.
EV drivers no longer required to get planning permission for cross-pavement chargers under new rules
Drivers of electric vehicles will no longer need to apply for planning permission to install cross-pavement chargers under revised rules.
The government has announced that it is ‘slashing red tape’ required for the installation, with the system allowing drivers without off-street parking to access cheaper domestic electricity rates which can often be a fraction of what a public charger costs.
The cross-pavement chargers see a ‘gulley’ installed, allowing drivers to safely charge their cars without causing a trip hazard for pedestrians. Those looking to get one installed will still need authorisation from their local council, however.
Attention moves to Rosebank as Andy Burnham defends Jackdaw approval
Attention is set to move to the Rosebank oil and gas field after Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended the decision to approve Jackdaw.
Gas from the Jackdaw field will start flowing within weeks after Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh backed the scheme.
She has been urged to now back Rosebank, the largest untapped oil field in the North Sea, as a further sign of commitment to production.
Weather outlook…
Scotland and Northern Ireland will see a mix of sunshine and showers, with rain possible later.
Northern England, Wales and the Midlands should enjoy brighter spells, though cloud may increase through the day.
Southern England will be mostly dry with sunny intervals, with temperatures reaching around 11°C before turning colder overnight.