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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 

Dealer apprenticeships: becoming a car salesman

Dealer apprenticeships: becoming a car salesman

We meet the teenage car fan who got a car salesman job at his local dealer at 16. Is this the future of apprenticeships?
Features
28 Jan 2019
Almost all keyless car systems vulnerable to relay attacks
Car security - staying ahead of criminals

Almost all keyless car systems vulnerable to relay attacks

Investigation tests keyless car systems of 237 models, finds only three able to fully resist key signal cloning
News
28 Jan 2019
Ford's ride-hailing bus service Chariot closes

Ford's ride-hailing bus service Chariot closes

Chariot closes less than three years after being purchased by Ford
News
15 Jan 2019
Drivers pay over £325 to fix MoT faults
Garage repairs

Drivers pay over £325 to fix MoT faults

Average cost of putting a car right after a failed MoT pegged at £326.85, with 30 per cent of failures down to faulty lights
News
6 Dec 2018
Fiat Panda gets “shocking” zero-star NCAP crash test rating
Fiat Panda NCAP

Fiat Panda gets “shocking” zero-star NCAP crash test rating

Fiat Panda given NCAP’s worst-ever child occupant score of 16 per cent; follows Punto’s zero-star score
News
5 Dec 2018
External airbags could reduce crash severity by 40 per cent

External airbags could reduce crash severity by 40 per cent

Conceptual external side airbags emerge in milliseconds to form additional crumple zone
News
3 Dec 2018
Volkswagen to recall 75,000 cars over seatbelt fault

Volkswagen to recall 75,000 cars over seatbelt fault

Volkswagen was criticised by consumer group Which? for failing to offer a permanent solution after first offering an “informal recall”
News
27 Nov 2018
Ford tries to get rid of new car smell
Ford Focus Estate - front seats

Ford tries to get rid of new car smell

Ford patent application describes cars automatically driving into the sun, opening windows and running the fan to eliminate new car smell
News
23 Nov 2018
Automatic caravan and trailer hitch concept revealed
Automatic towing hitch

Automatic caravan and trailer hitch concept revealed

Concept trailer hitch automatically links caravan or trailer to car at the touch of a button
News
21 Nov 2018
Andy Murray: Ferrari, Jaguar I-Pace and electric cars
Andy Murray Jaguar I-Pace - header

Andy Murray: Ferrari, Jaguar I-Pace and electric cars

We chat to former Wimbledon champ Andy Murray about his Jaguar I-Pace, his driving history and his views on electric vehicles
Features
11 Nov 2018
Fleet-owned plug-in hybrids may never have been charged
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in long term - first report plugged in

Fleet-owned plug-in hybrids may never have been charged

Analysis of PHEV company cars, which were bought with subsidies, indicates drivers are running predominantly on petrol
News
10 Nov 2018
New car CO2 emissions reach five-year high
Porsche Macan GTS - exhaust tips

New car CO2 emissions reach five-year high

DfT figures show average new-car CO2 emissions reached 128.3g/km in September; WLTP and diesel slump likely culprits
News
8 Nov 2018
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motorsport to be made impossible by new EU insurance rules
Mercedes Formula 1

motorsport to be made impossible by new EU insurance rules

Unless amended, the European Motor Insurance Directive will require all cars to be fully insured, making all forms of motorsport impossible
News
5 Nov 2018
Windscreen firms fight to keep up with new tech
Windscreen replacement

Windscreen firms fight to keep up with new tech

Windscreen replacement companies are spending millions on tech and training to recalibrate screen-based car safety systems
News
2 Nov 2018
How police tackle drug-drivers on the road
Drug Driving - Header

How police tackle drug-drivers on the road

We join Essex Police on patrol as officers crack down on motorists who have taken cocaine or cannabis using DrugWipe tests
Features
30 Oct 2018
One in seven drivers would jump a level crossing

One in seven drivers would jump a level crossing

Drivers risking lives, as well as three penalty points, by jumping level crossing lights. New campaign and video highlight dangers
News
4 Oct 2018
Severn Bridge tolls to be scrapped on 17 December
Traffic

Severn Bridge tolls to be scrapped on 17 December

The move is estimated to save regular users £1,400 a year, and boost the local economy by £100m a year
News
2 Oct 2018
Plug-in hybrid car sales stopped amid WLTP delays
Volkswagen Passat GTE - charging

Plug-in hybrid car sales stopped amid WLTP delays

Tough new WLTP tests see PHEVs withdrawn from sale as manufacturers prioritise certification of volume-selling models
News
28 Sep 2018
New Ford and Vodafone tech warns of emergency vehicles
eCall Plus

New Ford and Vodafone tech warns of emergency vehicles

Ford and Vodafone are testing a system to alert drivers of upcoming incidents, and instruct them to clear path for emergency services
News
25 Sep 2018
Ultimate Jaguar XJ road test: XJ6, XJ12, XJ40 and XJR 575
Jaguar XJ years: XJ6, XJ12, XJ40 and XJR 575 driven header

Ultimate Jaguar XJ road test: XJ6, XJ12, XJ40 and XJR 575

We take a drive through the Jaguar XJ's history, sampling Sir William Lyons’ XJ6 and the Queen Mother’s XJ12 S1 amongst others
Features
15 Sep 2018
Long-term test review: SEAT Arona FR
SEAT Arona FR - front

Long-term test review: SEAT Arona FR

Final report: the SEAT Arona SUV crossover is a great all-rounder, but we’ve struggled to bond with it in its time on our fleet
Long-term tests
14 Sep 2018
UK aims to lead the world in low emissions transport
BMW X5 vs Porsche Cayenne - charging

UK aims to lead the world in low emissions transport

PM earmarks £106 million for battery tech and green vehicles, says she wants Britain “leading from the front” with zero-emissions cars
News
10 Sep 2018
80mph limits held back by “public opinion”, says road chief
New 80mph speed limit

80mph limits held back by “public opinion”, says road chief

Highways England chief executive says some motorways could operate at 80mph, but that shift looks unlikely
News
10 Sep 2018
Government invests £10m in digital tech to beat roadw
Roadworks app

Government invests £10m in digital tech to beat roadw

New Street Manager planning system could work with Google Maps and Waze to help drivers avoid roadworks and traffic jams
News
3 Sep 2018
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Pedal car for adults: bringing exercise to your commute
FitCar pedal-powered vehicle header

Pedal car for adults: bringing exercise to your commute

Looking for exercises to do in the car? We try a one-off car controlled by bicycle-style pedals
Features
1 Sep 2018
Police could take tougher approach to speeding
Penalty points, police, speeding

Police could take tougher approach to speeding

Chief constable says 10 per cent plus 2mph buffer zone guideline gives the impression “it is OK to speed”
News
19 Aug 2018
England's best and worst motorway services revealed
Tebay motorway service station

England's best and worst motorway services revealed

Norton Canes on the M6 toll gets the best rating, but M25’s Thurrock services most heavily criticised by customers
News
24 Jul 2018
UK’s first pay-per-mile car insurance launches

UK’s first pay-per-mile car insurance launches

By Miles sees drivers pay per-mile rate plus flat annual fee to cover their car, targeting those driving less than 7,000 miles per year
News
19 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
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
'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
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
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