The comparative simplicity of electric cars is leading to a boom in their sales while conventional petrol and diesel models are stuck without adequate supply of semi-conductors for their technology. Latest figures show over one-in-three new cars sold in Wales last month was electric or hybrid and it's the only part of the UK to actually see all car sales rising. Kia became the best … [Read more...]
Car making in UK still sluggish
UK car production fell -41.5% in September, the third consecutive month of decline, with 67,169 cars manufactured – the worst performing September since 1982 - according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Output continues to be hampered by the production stoppages caused by the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors as well as the loss of production capacity arising from the … [Read more...]
EVs get Budget boost
Electric vehicles have been given a boost in the Budget. Sean Kemple, Managing Director of Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “We are finally starting to see the government put its money where its mouth is when it comes to investing in greener roads. "An additional £620 million into public charging in residential areas and targeted plug-in vehicle grants will be a critical acceleration in … [Read more...]
Apprentices programme relaunched by car makers
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Charitable Trust Fund has re-launched the SMMT Apprentice Support Programme, designed to help safeguard the jobs of apprentices currently working within the automotive industry. The scheme comes following the conclusion of the government-funded furlough scheme. The SMMT Apprentice Support Programme earmarks £100,000 to cover all or part of the … [Read more...]
Motor industry lies at heart of world trade
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has called on government to put the automotive sector at the heart of future trade negotiations, after a new report confirms vehicles are the UK’s single most valuable goods trade export. Vehicle export revenues reached £27 billion in 2020, making them more valuable to the UK than power-generating machinery and gold, even during a year when … [Read more...]
September registrations worst for over two decades
New car registrations collapsed to a 22 year low last month due to the semi-conductor shortage delaying scores of models' introduction. Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported sales plummeted 34.4% year on year in September – traditionally one of the busiest months for the industry after the March new-plate change. Just 214,312 new cars were registered with the latest plate … [Read more...]
Car production & sales stagnate on shortages
Car sales in Wales crashed over 26% last month, the worst of any part in the UK. Just 2,363 new models were registered and that's even below the 3,230 recorded in the pandemic hit showrooms of last year and the total for the country was a little over 68,000. It was a very dismal August for the motor trade across the country, the lowest figures recorded since 2013 and the overflow from … [Read more...]
Car stock shortages looming, warn finance lender
Stock shortages emerge as the biggest worry for dealers in the year ahead, according to new research from Close Brothers Motor Finance. The Dealer Satisfaction Survey found that almost a third (31%) of motor dealers see the lack of stock availability as the biggest threat to their business, with the global semiconductor shortage having a significant ripple effect on the motor industry. Despite … [Read more...]
EU car sales slow but UK CV production rises
According to data from 26 European markets, new car registrations slowed in July, recording a year-on-year decline of 24% as total volume decreased from 1.27 million units to 967,830. Similar results were recorded in July 2012, when the market registered 966,090 units. The year-to-date results remain positive, up by 17% compared to 2020 with 7,381,735 units registered, but down by 24% when … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 August
Sarn Park Services are the best on the M4, according to accumulated views of users analysed by the Brindley motoring group. It studied over 100 motorway services on 29 routes and Tebay on the M6 came out best, Telford M54 was the worst while the M5 generally raised most complaints. UK car manufacturing fell 37.6% in July, the first fall since February, with just 53,438 units made, and worst in … [Read more...]