Labour’s electric vehicle plan has been branded “long overdue and lacking in detail” by the Welsh Conservatives. Ministers published a plan this week outlining how they are going to build a confident future for electric car users – more than two and a half years after declaring a climate emergency. However, the Welsh Conservatives have questioned just how ambitious the plans are as the … [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...]
Suppliers face new opportunities in car sector
Britain’s car-makers and component suppliers face opportunities as the race speeds up towards a future of pure electric vehicles, delegates to the annual Autolink Conference in Cardiff were told yesterday. On the day that the UK Government announced a £620 Million grant to boost ev-sales, extend the national recharging network on-street and in homes, as well as introduce a compulsory mandate … [Read more...]
£230M investment saves Ford Halewood jobs
Ford Halwood plant will get a £230M investment to produce electric powertrain components in two years for the company's European EV fleet. An undisclosed amount of that has come from the UK Government and it will safeguard about 500 jobs on Merseyside which have been under threat as the industry moves from internal combustion engined cars and vans to pure electric models by 2030. Ford has … [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...]
Driver shortages are just tip of logistics issues
Some 96% of UK logistics businesses are now reporting problems recruiting HGV drivers, according to results from Logistics UK’s September 2021 Performance Tracker. However, the Performance Tracker also highlighted that skills shortages are growing across the entire logistics industry, not just affecting the availability of HGV drivers. More than 13% of businesses are now reporting severe to … [Read more...]
Weekend roadtest: Genesis G70 saloon
The arrival of the Genesis brand marks a new beginning in the motor trade but with the old fashioned value of personal service behind it. Head of Genesis UK sales Jonny Miller said the brand’s philosophy is built around the customer and giving them a buying experience which exceeds expectations and creating a long term relationship. Genesis is the luxury division of Hyundai and after … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 September
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will tomorrow unveil its detailed plans for a pure electric model before the end of this decade. The company has already said what priorities it will use to launch the model when it is right for their customers and the recharging infrastructure exists to support the car, after showing a concept several months ago. Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Technology … [Read more...]
Cenex preview for Intertek future facility
Intertek is providing the first previews of its new Global EV Centre of Excellence for E-Powertrain test and development at the CENEX LCV event today and tomorrow in Millbrook, Bedfordshire. Custom built for next-generation electric powertrains and electric / electrified vehicles, the new Centre in Leicester will be the only commercially available facility in the UK that offers research-quality … [Read more...]
UK garage and bodyshop show planned
Messe Frankfurt, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham and auto:resource welcomes the return of face-to-face events with the launch of The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, the UK's dedicated event for training, technology and tools for the garage and bodyshop sector. The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event will provide a focused opportunity for suppliers and their garage and bodyshop customers … [Read more...]