Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Firms can build on new support
Manufacturing chief welcomes scheme
THE manufacturing sector has warmly welcomed news of a £178million business funding package from the Executive.
The body which represents the sector said the announcement of support by the Finance Minister has undoubtedly saved both businesses and jobs and prevented a long-term malaise in the sector.
Manufacturing NI said the £25,000 automatic grant for small and medium-sized manufacturers with full rates valuation of less than £50,000 is particularly welcome.
Chief Stephen Kelly said: “Starting a business in manufacturing is tougher and more costly thank most other sectors.
“If we lost these businesses now, we would likely lose them forever. “On top of the business rates holiday for 2021/2022 for all manufacturers, the top up for micro-manufacturers and potential grants for larger firms, there is no doubt that business and jobs been saved today.”
Finance Minister Conor Murphy’s funding is designed to support businesses which have been impacted by the pandemic.
The measures announced this week will help nearly 20,000 companies in Northern Ireland through direct support. It includes a £50,000 grant for large businesses unable to access grant funding during the first lockdown; the £25,000 payment to manufacturing firms unable to access grant funding during the first lockdown; and top-up payments of £5,000 and £10,000 for firms which received grants during the first lockdown but are not eligible for one of the current Executive support schemes.
This week we have the Mercedes-benz EQA, the company’s second pure electric car after the EQC that was launched a couple of years ago. And like the EQC the EQA is based on an existing model, in this case the GLA.
Lots of capital letters there, are you still with us? It’s important stuff though because when you turn an existing petrol or diesel car into a pure EV there are going to be compromises – and that’s very much the case here.
The GLA is a spacious car but once you’ve fitted a 480kg battery pack, room in the back is cut, as is luggage space. First, a run down on the hardware. Up front we have a 187bhp electric motor turning the front wheels. This is powered by the aforementioned battery pack which has a capacity of 66.5kwh.
Admirably, and unlike many other manufacturers, Mercedes is quoting net capacity which is what is actually useable, rather than a gross capacity.
Claimed range is 263 miles. Mercedes says that more EQA variants are in the pipeline with longer ranges (320 miles is being talked about) and also with four-wheel drive which means an extra electric motor. So even more weight. Our EQA 250
Premium Plus, which costs £40,495, weighs just over two tonnes which is why, with 187bhp, it doesn’t feel so quick.
The 0-62mph figure quoted is 8.9sec and the top speed is
sensibly restricted to 99mph. Start hammering along motorways at warp factor 5 and you’ll lose the time gained by speed in charging time.
Electrification is a great
leveller. For example, the Kia e-niro is £5,000 cheaper than the EQA 250 yet it has as much space inside and a slightly longer range.
What the Kia can’t give you is the sumptuous tech-laden interior the EQA provides.
Here you get exactly the same double screens, sharp graphics and control system as in the GLA and other A-class spin-offs. Easier to use than those fitted to VW’S I.D 3 and the latest I.D 4 SUV, the latter of which is another new rival for the EQA.
The 0-62mph time is misleading because the EQA does its more impressive sprinting between 10 and 30mph and tails off in urgency as you get nearer 60.
The car’s real forte is its silence. What the larger EQC lacked in driving excitement it made up for with the relaxing lack of noise, and it is the same story with the smaller EQA. At low speeds in town about the only noise you’ll hear is the obligatory whirr that alerts pedestrians to your presence. Very little wind noise on motorways either.
The EQA uses the multi-link rear suspension that is fitted to the posher versions of the GLA.
Its advantage is it gives the EQA more precise handling and more accurate steering.
This is a two tonne car so don’t expect sports car reactions. The suspension could be set softer but the car is so well insulated against sound you might feel the odd bump over a pothole or ridge but you won’t hear a crash. Our car was fitted with adaptive dampers which as part of a £7,500 options package isn’t worth it, especially as the Sport setting spoils the comfort.
One of the EQA’S most effective systems is its regenerative braking. Either control it via the steering wheel paddles or simply use the auto setting which uses radar and GPS to recognise speed limits, traffic, corners and roundabouts. It works very well.
If you’re a serial Merc owner wanting to go electric, the EQA will slip into your life easily. For others, the lack of rear legroom and luggage space, and the price, will rule it out.
Instead look at rivals built as electric from the ground up, like the VW ID.4 and Ford Mach E. They may not have the premium badge and interiors but they offer more significant advantages.
If you’re a serial Mercedes owner, it will slip into your life easily