When.....

.....do you collect your car Alan ? must be any day now !

I don't know. I believe it is on one of two ships that left the KIA port of Pyeongtaek South Korea on 31st December when I was told by the dealer my car was shipped.

I have been using an Internet ship tracker to follow the 2 ships which has been fascinating.

The Tortugas Car Carrier route has been,, Korea, China, Singapore, Indonesia, across Pacific to Panama canal, Baltimore, and New York. It is currently crossing the Atlantic bound for Bristol where it is expected On the 28th or 29th February. Sea miles 15,400

The Glovis Cardinal Car Carrier route was Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, India,  South Jordan, Saudi, Suez canal, Egypt, Greece, Barcelona, Tunisia, Lisbon, Antwerp and is now at anchor outside Immingham awaiting a berth in the port. Sea miles 12,800

It has been a fascinating insight into the logistics of car transporting around the World with these 60 to 70,000 ton ships carrying up to 7500 cars dropping off and collecting cars at various ports as they travel.

I'm told it takes about 10 days for the car to have its PDI at the port and then be transported to the dealer.

KIA have been taken by surprise at the immediate demand fro the Niro - especially in the USA - and have a massive order book they are struggling to fulfil. I ordered my car on October 24th hence the wait for it will be almost 5 months. It suits me fine because I get the 17 registration but retain the free VED status for the life of the car. If it had arrived after 1st April when the new road tax regime commences - like you I would have had to pay £140 per year.

My current Venga auto is averaging 38 mpg - I am expecting at least 58 mpg from the Niro even using a heavy boot.  Some guys on the Niro forum are experiencing economy of 70 mpg on long motorway journeys and up to 80 mpg around town where it uses more electric power than the engine. 

KIA dealers are bracing themselves to lose diesel sales in favour of the Hybrid Niro, Optima and Soul - with more KIA hybrids to come. Roll on the government diesel scrappage scheme I say.

It's an amazing world we live in at present Alan, that's for sure !