The newcomer is set...
The newcomer is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, and will be looking to continue the Polo"s well established role as the supermini with the image all other car manufacturers aspire to. The excellent residual values, superb build quality and smart, chunky styling make the current model a hit and maintain the solid reputation the Polo has enjoyed for nearly a decade.
The move is being considered...
The move is being considered by the Government as part of tough new measures to improve registration plate security. Auto Express has seen high-level consultation documents, which include several proposals designed to crack down on car crime. Other ideas include electronic tagging and special tamper-proof materials.
Dave Warren, from the DVLA"s vehicle crime group, said: "There is widespread support for greater number plate security. We will be checking the shortlisted ideas to ensure their benefits outweigh any burdens on business, enforcement authorities or Government."
Currently, there is no restriction on the manufacture of licence plates, and materials to make them are easily available. Introducing watermarks would allow the DVLA to monitor their production closely and make it harder for criminals to forge them. There has been a massive increase in number plate theft in recent years, sparked by the use of police cameras that can read them and check if the vehicle is taxed and insured.
Installing plates with an electronic identity tag is expected to make it easier for police to spot stolen vehicles. Also being considered is printing the date of manufacture on the plastic, which could help end vehicle cloning, too.
Other suggestions which weren"t shortlisted by the DVLA include the use of hyphens to prevent mis-spacing of numbers, bar coding - a less sophisticated form of tagging - and displaying the car"s make and model on the plate.