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Hugo Griffiths

A former English teacher and project manager, and a lifelong petrolhead, Hugo joined automotive journalism four years ago, and hasn’t looked back since. As consumer editor of Auto Express Hugo keeps a close eye on the stories affecting motorists in their day-to-days lives, investigating subjects such as car crime, road safety, and wider government legislation, sniffing out exclusive stories on overlooked but important subjects. With a keen eye for crisp prose and original stories, Hugo also helps curate Auto Express’s weekly features.

e-mail: hugo_griffiths@autovia.co.uk 

LEGO James Bond Aston Martin DB5 launches with ejector seat

LEGO James Bond Aston Martin DB5 launches with ejector seat

LEGO pays homage to James Bond with one-eighth scale Goldfinger-inspired DB5; front machine guns and bullet-proof rear shield also feature
News
18 Jul 2018
Higher motorway roadwork speed limits to be trialled

Higher motorway roadwork speed limits to be trialled

Highways England says speed limits could rise to 60mph when “less activity” is taking place on motorway roadworks
News
17 Jul 2018
2040 petrol and diesel 'ban': hybrids set to be exempt
Traffic

2040 petrol and diesel 'ban': hybrids set to be exempt

Government states it is “technology neutral” in Road to Zero plans; wants half of all new cars to be ultra-low emission by 2030
News
13 Jul 2018
Fiat staff to strike over Ronaldo’s £88 million Juve move

Fiat staff to strike over Ronaldo’s £88 million Juve move

Fiat Chrysler’s Melfi plant is owned by same company as Juventus; staff are angry investment is going to footballer, not factory
News
12 Jul 2018
Training the car mechanics of tomorrow
Training to become a mechanic

Training the car mechanics of tomorrow

We visit an automotive college to meet the trainee mechanics who will keep UK wheels turning for years to come
Features
29 Jun 2018
Fully autonomous cars may never be allowed, says BMW boss

Fully autonomous cars may never be allowed, says BMW boss

Ian Robertson, BMW's special representative in the UK, believes Governments could outlaw autonomous car features
News
27 Jun 2018
EU hits back at Trump's threat to impose 20% import tariff
Donald Trump

EU hits back at Trump's threat to impose 20% import tariff

Trump's tweet prompts fall in value of European car companies' shares; EC chief says EU will have "no choice" but to react to tariffs
News
25 Jun 2018
New standards mean smartphones could soon replace car keys
Fiat Tipo vs Skoda Rapid vs Citroen C4 - phone link

New standards mean smartphones could soon replace car keys

Smartphones will soon lock, unlock and start cars after VW, BMW, Hyundai, Apple, Samsung and LG develop new specifications
News
22 Jun 2018
BMW task force prepares for worst-case scenario Brexit

BMW task force prepares for worst-case scenario Brexit

Threat of no-deal Brexit sees BMW task force assembled to guard against disruption at MINI and Rolls-Royce
News
22 Jun 2018
One in five take penalty points for someone else
Speed camera

One in five take penalty points for someone else

19 per cent of drivers have taken penalty points for offence they did not commit, research has suggested
News
21 Jun 2018
Dogs jumping from high SUVs risk injury, says study
Nissan X-Trail 4Dogs concept

Dogs jumping from high SUVs risk injury, says study

Jumping out of high SUV boots is shown to place more stress on dogs’ front legs, potentially doing long-term harm
News
21 Jun 2018
Elon Musk says Tesla is a victim of “extensive” sabotage
Tesla Model 3 - front action

Elon Musk says Tesla is a victim of “extensive” sabotage

Leaked email accuses Tesla worker of exporting "highly sensitive Tesla data”, as Musk suggests wider conspiracy
News
19 Jun 2018
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Mercedes faces calls to issue UK recall over emissions
Mercedes badge

Mercedes faces calls to issue UK recall over emissions

Mercedes already forced to recall 238,000 diesel cars in Germany, and up to 774,000 cars could be affected across Europe
News
13 Jun 2018
Brexit to make UK a “second-hand dealer” in car safety
Crash test - Chery

Brexit to make UK a “second-hand dealer” in car safety

Head of Global NCAP says leaving EU will turn Britain into a rule taker, not a rule maker, for car safety regulation
News
12 Jun 2018
Robot traffic cones could shrink size of roadworks

Robot traffic cones could shrink size of roadworks

Prototype 'robo-cones' move out from the side of the road at the touch of a button, closing off lanes only when needed
News
7 Jun 2018
Carmakers to face emissions cheating fines of £50,000
Emissions testing pipe

Carmakers to face emissions cheating fines of £50,000

Government sets out new laws that will see hefty fine applied for defeat devices found in emissions cheating cars
News
7 Jun 2018
New “impossible to cheat” emissions rating system launches
Emissions

New “impossible to cheat” emissions rating system launches

TRUE initiative system measures NOx emissions in real-world driving with light beam; auto industry hits out at "misleading" study
News
6 Jun 2018
Tesla to build Golf rival within five years

Tesla to build Golf rival within five years

Elon Musk tells shareholder meeting Tesla will build “compact car” in less than five years
News
6 Jun 2018
EU warnings put post-Brexit UK car manufacturing at risk
Vauxhall Ellesmere Port factory

EU warnings put post-Brexit UK car manufacturing at risk

Dutch Government cautions businesses that using parts made in UK will impact tax obligations
News
6 Jun 2018
Apple CarPlay to offer Google Maps and Waze
Citroen Dispatch - Apple CarPlay

Apple CarPlay to offer Google Maps and Waze

Apple CarPlay connectivity system to add third-party mapping with the launch of iOS 12 later this year
Articles
5 Jun 2018
'Smart' pavements could aid autonomous cars
Renault Symbioz concept - Johnny Burn autonomous

'Smart' pavements could aid autonomous cars

FlexKerb system uses LEDs to change roadsides from pedestrian space, to loading bays and lanes for autonomous cars
News
29 May 2018
Car insurance shake up: new rules proposed
Choosing the right insurance for your van

Car insurance shake up: new rules proposed

EU Directive proposes universal insurance history system across continent, plus increased powers to combat uninsured drivers
News
29 May 2018
EU Commissioner says diesel cars “are finished”
Exhaust emissions

EU Commissioner says diesel cars “are finished”

Brussels official calls diesels “technology of the past”, and predicts they will “completely disappear” from European roads
News
29 May 2018
Speeding drivers could get warnings instead of fines
Speeding

Speeding drivers could get warnings instead of fines

Proposals from Police Scotland would see drivers avoid tickets if not caught speeding again within three months
News
29 May 2018
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BMW hackers rewarded for flagging security flaws

BMW hackers rewarded for flagging security flaws

Security company uncovers vulnerabilities in several BMW models, enabling the marque to issue software patches
News
23 May 2018
Government to target pollution from brakes and tyres

Government to target pollution from brakes and tyres

Clean Air Strategy to develop new standards for tyres and brakes to help prevent “national health crisis”
News
22 May 2018
Porsche emissions: 60,000 Macans and Cayennes recalled
Porsche Cayenne Diesel - front cornering

Porsche emissions: 60,000 Macans and Cayennes recalled

Porsche to recall 53,000 diesel Macans and 6,750 diesel Cayennes in Europe at request of German motor authorities
News
21 May 2018
BMW recalls 3 Series over fire risk
BMW 3 series E90

BMW recalls 3 Series over fire risk

Second recall in as many weeks for BMW caused by potentially faulty wire between battery and heater fan. 88k cars affected.
News
18 May 2018
Europe plans EV battery revolution to catch rival states

Europe plans EV battery revolution to catch rival states

New Battery Action Plan aims to address the fact Europe currently has “no capability” to mass-produce batteries for electric vehicles
News
18 May 2018
New laws introduced to allow remote control car parking
Remote parking BMW

New laws introduced to allow remote control car parking

Drivers will be allowed to remote-park their cars from June 2018 following regulation changes
News
17 May 2018
Speed awareness courses more effective than penalty points
Worst speeders in England and Wales revealed

Speed awareness courses more effective than penalty points

Study of 2.2 million speeders finds 23 per cent reduction among speed awareness course participants
News
16 May 2018
A third of used cars sold with outstanding finance
dealer forecourt

A third of used cars sold with outstanding finance

Fresh data reveals proportion of second-hand cars sold with finance owed has risen from a quarter to a third
Articles
16 May 2018
Smart speed bumps to automatically check tyre tread depth

Smart speed bumps to automatically check tyre tread depth

Expanding SnapSkan system uses 3D scanners to measure tread depth, alerting drivers if new rubber is required
News
15 May 2018
New van road tax system on the cards

New van road tax system on the cards

Government wants “white van man to go green” and choose an ultra-low emission vehicles, potentially ending flat £250 road van tax rate
News
15 May 2018