Haval Jolion EV isn't likely to bother Ford or Vauxhall

Haval Jolion Pro drive by Steve Rogers

Meet the Haval Jolion, the latest Chinese invader looking for a chunk of the UK car market.

With around 15 companies plying their trade this is the biggest invasion since the Roman conquest. At least this one is friendly although Ford, Vauxhall and the rest of the pack would probably disagree because they cannot understand how the Chinese brands can sell cars so cheaply, taking huge chunks out of their sales.

Haval has slipped in under the radar without the same fanfare as BYD or Jaecoo. It is an offshoot of Great Wall Motor, a technology and automobile company with a handful of brands although Haval and Ora are the only ones to come to Europe, so far.

Great Wall, or GWM as it is now branded, dipped a toe in British waters more than a decade ago with a cheap as chips pick up. It didn’t work out but they are having another go with a new pick up in the new year.

Jolion Pro is a mid-sized hybrid SUV with the same DNA as its Chinese brethren: Shed loads of kit and rock bottom pricing. You can pick up the entry Premium model for around £24k but unlike the aforementioned this isn’t going to provide Ford and co with too much of a headache.

So what’s the problem? It is not bad looking but not one that is going to turn heads for any other reason than peering at the over-large Haval name bar on the front grille. I had quite a few ‘never heard of this one before’.

Styling is conservative, too conservative compared to offerings from the likes of Kia, MG, BYD and Jaecoo. Wait till you see the sensational X-Peng in next week’s road test.

Things improve in the cabin which is typically Chinese: Minimalist, neat and tidy, and dominated by a 12.3in touchscreen. You won’t find many switches, just a few quick keys for heating, then it is a case of diving into the telephone directory style menus and sub menus. Last week I wrote how Volvo had turned complicated into simple and Haval could do with taking a fresh look at the Jolion interface. It’s complicated and can be distracting for the driver.

At least voice control is helpful as well as amusing. Say ‘hey GWM’ and a female’s voice replies ‘I’m coming’. I continued the chat with a risque comment and was told ‘you can’t say that’.

I seemed to spend my time being irritated by little things. I could not work out how to get the cabin lights to come on when opening a door, wipers don’t come on with the screen wash, the only volume control for radio is on the steering wheel.

My wife searched everywhere from the passenger seat and eventually gave up and used voice control, but a simple switch would be better. Oh, and the radio does not have DAB stations.

On the mechanical side the ride is not up to standard. This is no bucking bronco but the slightest road blemish is felt in the cabin. If we Brits are too fussy it is because we are used to better.

The steering is too light for me and lacked feel although Mrs Rogers enjoyed driving the Jolion and she is not alone because Haval is a huge hit in Australia where it is the third best seller in its class.

Jolion is a hybrid with a 1.7kW battery, which is good, and has a similar setup to Nissan Qashqai with an electric motor doing the heavy lifting supported by a 1.5 litre petrol engine. Don’t worry, you will be paying a lot less than the Nissan.

It’s no slouch either and after some annoying front wheel spin pulls away smartly. With a two speed automatic gearbox the engine note resembles a muted siren that can be turned into a wailing siren by dipping the accelerator. Ok, that’s the child in me coming out.

What should be better is the economy. I ended the week in the mid forties which is no better than a straight petrol. Hybrids featured in these columns this year have been in the mid fifties.

On a positive note Jolion is well equipped even at entry Premium grade with the top of the range Ultra gaining things like a 360 degree camera with excellent definition, auto parking assist, heated and ventilated seats. All models have a full suite of safety features.

The cabin is a good size but the boot is small and has less space than a smaller Volkswagen Polo or Toyota Yaris.

The kindest observation I can make is that Jolion is a work in progress and bound to get better.

Favourite feature: I struggled to find one, but let’s say a spacious cabin. I’m feeling generous.

Fast facts

Jolion Pro Ultra

£30,590 (starts £23,995)

Electric motor 148bhp

1.5 litre petrol 95bhp

0-62mph 9secs; 115mph

47mpg combined

133g/km. 1st VED £540

Boot: 255-916 litres

Warranty: 5 years

Join Inner Wheel's festive tea party this Sunday

 

MP welcomes new scheme to help young people back into work

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins (pictured) has welcomed the Labour Government’s new investment to provide training and work opportunities for young people who are neither earning nor learning.

It means a major expansion of its Youth Guarantee scheme, backed by £820 million of new funding, to tackle the problem and give a brighter future to young people across Britain.

This investment aims to:

• Create 350,000 new workplace and training opportunities in sectors such as construction, health and social care, and hospitality.
• Expand Youth Hubs to every local area of Great Britain – over 360 in total – offering lifechanging support such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice and careers guidance.
• Provide a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, giving almost 900,000 young people on Universal Credit a dedicated support session followed by four weeks of intensive coaching.
• Deliver a Jobs Guarantee for 18–21-year-olds who have been long-term unemployed, offering six months of fully subsidised paid employment.

Becky Gittins MP said: “I am delighted that the Work and Pensions Secretary has committed hundreds of millions of pounds of investment to the young people of this country. Too many in Clwyd East are being held back. With 285 young people stuck on benefits, this new package of support will provide opportunities for them to turn their lives around after the previous government neglected them. Labour has a plan to get Britain working, and this Youth Guarantee will make sure no young person is left behind.”

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, added: “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them. This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.”

County council says it's ready to deal with effects of severe weather

Denbighshire County Council says it has resources on standby throughout the current Yellow Weather Warning period to respond to any weather-related incidents should they arise.

The met Office warning is effective until 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

Further updates will be provided if deemed necessary.

Please report any issues to our Customer Service Team between 8:30am – 5pm Monday to Friday, by:

1) email to customerservice@denbighshire.gov.uk

2) telephone 01824 706000

3) visit in person a One Stop Shop.

4) use an online web form, available on Denbighshire’s website:

www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/online-forms/online-forms.aspx

In the event of any emergency situation requiring an immediate response, contact should be made directly via the out of hours contact centre between 5pm – 8:30am including weekends on 0300 123 3068.

Former mayor petitions for injuries unit at health centre

 

* Llangollen Health Centre, where the petition calls for a minor injuries unit.

A former Llangollen mayor and county councillor has started a petition calling for the Welsh Government and the local health board to fully fund a minor injuries unit for the town's health centre.

Stuart Davies says the Wrexham Maelor A&E unit is "overwhelmed" with waiting times of over 12 hours and believes outlying minor injuries units (MIUs) would help alleviate pressures on the system.

He adds: "I have started the petition because of anecdotal stories about the wait in A&E in Wrexham and my personal experience.

"About a month ago I had 12 hours waiting and watching the triage system at the entrance to A&E winnowing out the non-accident and emergency cases.

"People get minor injuries like I did quite a few years ago when I cut myself badly with an axe chopping kindling. 

"At the time Chirk was doing MIU. I went there at about 8pm, was seen promptly, cleaned up, then the flap of skin was glued up and dressed. 

"Another time, when the surgery in Llangollen was in Regent Street, I went there after I gashed my head. It was a similar thing with their MIU nurse, done and dusted in a timely and staff-efficient way."

Mr Davies went on: "When the planning was going on with the Betsi for Llangollen Health Centre they promised an MIU here.

"A proper MIU with an X-ray machine in Llangollen, triaging at its best, in the community, would take the strain off the Maelor, easy parking as well. Cuts and bruises done in the community it serves. Most importantly, fully funded by the Senedd."

Tehmeena Ajmal, chief operating officer at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, said: "We recognise the significant pressure being seen across emergency and urgent care services in North Wales.

"Our teams are working extremely hard to ensure people receive safe and timely care, and we continue to urge the public to use the right service for their needs — whether that’s through their GP practice, community pharmacy, or our Minor Injuries Units.

"In relation to calls for a Minor Injuries Unit in Llangollen, we understand the desire for more local provision."

* Click this link to see your petition:

https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/246805

MS raises concern for small family-run bus services

* Sam Rowlands speaks in the Senedd.

Sam Rowlands, Member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, says he remains worried that changes to bus services in his region could seriously affect the future of small local operators. 

Mr Rowlands, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Transport and Infrastructure, was speaking in the Senedd during a discussion on Stage 3 of the Bus Services (Wales) Bill.

 

He claimed Labour’s proposals risked driving small, family-run bus operators out of business, failed rural communities, and did little to tackle congestion or improve passenger services.

 

He said: “As drafted it risks centralising control of our bus network in the hands of the Welsh Government without the safeguards needed to ensure real delivery. We've seen before what happens when centralisation isn't matched by competence. I'm concerned that this could become yet another costly exercise for the Welsh taxpayer, without bringing meaningful improvements on the ground.

 

“A significant concern is the lack of clarity for small and medium-sized operators. I've spoken to many across Wales, and they are worried. They feel shut out of the process and unsure of how they will fit into the new system as is proposed. These independent businesses have kept our communities connected for years, and their future should not be jeopardised by vague or rushed legislation.

 

“The Bill also appears heavily focused on urban areas, with little recognition of the challenges faced in rural Wales. These are the communities already struggling with infrequent or unreliable services, yet the legislation offers them very little reassurance.”

 

On behalf of the Welsh Conservatives, Mr Rowlands submitted several amendments to ensure the Bill works for small bus operators, addresses congestion and puts passenger voices at the heart of the legislation. However, they were not supported by fellow members.

 

Ken Skates, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales said he was pleased with and extremely grateful for the level of interest and support in relation to the intention behind the Bill, which is to improve the way that bus services are delivered across Wales. 

 

Illuminated Tractor Run lights up the town

Llangollen Young Farmers' Illuminated Tractor Run came beaming through the town to the cheers of hundreds of people this evening (Sunday).

Over 50 festively-decorated machines left the Pavilion field at 5pm passing through the town as they headed on a circular route around the Wrexham area before returning to Llangollen.

This year they were collecting funds for Baby Ollie's Heart Fund and Shooting Star Cancer Support.

Ollie was diagnosed at only two weeks old with a very rare and complex heart condition and mum Jasmin Roberts launched a fundraiser to pay for his surgery at Stanford, which will cost £1.5million.