Aston Martin Lagonda’s Welsh plant will play an increasingly important part in the company’s “reset plan” to boost sales around the world. The luxury car maker has seen a steep collapse in its sports cars sales and introduced new management as it prepares to roll out production of its DBX SUV at St Athan in coming weeks. Today it announced 500 job cuts across the business, but mostly at Gaydon … [Read more...]
Higher demand for new cars expected
British car manufacturing came to a screeching halt in April, down 99.7% against the same month last year. Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, offers his views on the shutdown, including recent data on what dealers want from the Government moving forward. Seán Kemple, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said, “April’s manufacturing slump reflects the … [Read more...]
Sunday drive: On the road & in the news 30 May
Although the lockdown measures are easing it will take time for the wheels of society to return to something like normal life, writes David Miles. But from tomorrow, after the bank holiday week, English schools for certain age groups will open where they can and more employees should be returning to work and that includes the motoring industry. So hopefully it won’t be too long before we get back … [Read more...]
EC green energy plan risk to UK economy
Britain will miss opportunities for a greener and more econoically stable future as a result of the European Commission’s €750 billion euro package unveiled this week to put climate change at the heart of the bloc’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, according to critics. Billed as the world’s biggest “green” stimulus, it aims to tackle the economic slump, while fulfilling the Commission’s … [Read more...]
Tradelines 27 May
Around 1,200 jobs are going at McLaren. The group’s applied technology, automotive and racing businesses will be hit, the company said in a statement, as the cancellation of motorsport events, the suspension of manufacturing and retail activities around the world and reduced demand for technology solutions dashed the group’s revenue generating activities. Renault and Nissan have shelved plans … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 May
British Finance Minister Rishi Sunak will rescue companies seen as strategically important on a “last resort” basis after other options run out. The Treasury told Reuters late on Sunday it may try to save those companies whose failure will “disproportionately harm the economy” and that could include Jaguar Land Rover which has been reported as seeking massive assistance to offset losses due to … [Read more...]
French tell Renault “home” build for state aid
The French government has told Renault it must keep home plants operating as a condition of receiving €5 Billion state aid. France wants it to remain the group’s global centre for engineering, research, innovation and development, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Wednesday. Speaking in the Senate, he said the government was particularly concerned about maintaining the Flins plant, … [Read more...]
Car makers move to save extinction
CEOs from across the automotive value chain came together for a meeting with the European Commission to align on the priorities for a solid recovery plan for the automotive sector, with a view to stimulating the wider economy and bolstering the transformation to a carbon-neutral society. CEOs of vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers, as well as their respective associations – the European … [Read more...]
Tradelines 20 May
The French Government has reiterated it will only assist car makers coping with the pandemic fallout if they are producing and promoting low carbon polluting models. The big boost to electric vehicles is designed to be supported by a new scrappage scheme and replacement with evs. The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, urging … [Read more...]
Nextbike slam vandals as it steps up services
The boss of Cardiff bike share operator nextbike slammed vandals who have gone on a wrecking spree in the city, putting vital bikes out of action which were designed to help frontline NHS and essential workers get to work during the pandemic. Nextbike had joined forces with Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University to fund a scheme which enabled NHS workers and those offering … [Read more...]