As one of the UK’s biggest online automotive marketplaces, eBay has revealed the most expensive parts and accessories of 2023, with performance engines, carbon fibre monocoques for high-end performance cars and exclusive number plates dominating the top 10. First and second places on the rundown of biggest buys for 2023 belonged to the performance car sector. Coming in first place was a BMW M5 … [Read more...]
UK Auto surges over a million models made
UK vehicle production hit 1,025,474 units in 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. With 905,117 cars and 120,357 commercial vehicles (CVs) produced, output was up 17.0% on the previous year with the easing of pandemic-related challenges from chip shortages to lockdowns and increasing electrified model production, combined to drive annual output above one million for … [Read more...]
EV production lines will slow, say manufacturers
Europe's producers now anticipate making 500,000 fewer electric vehicles than expected two years ago. In the face of ongoing economic and industrial uncertainty, the automotive supply industry braces for a year of moderate growth although the electric vehicle segment continues to take a larger share however, according to CLEP Nevertheless, overall production volumes remain significantly below … [Read more...]
UK car makers warn of clash with Canada
The breakdown of trade talks with Canada threatens massive costs for UK car makers exporting there, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders today. The stalemate on a free trade deal creates the risk of tariffs being imposed on British-made cars sold in Canada. Britain's current deal after Brexit until April means we export vehicles containing EU-manufactured parts to Canada … [Read more...]
Newslines 23 January
Bentley Motors achieved its third best ever year in 2023 with global sales of 13,560 luxury cars. Around three-quarters of customers went beyond the 46 billion different configurations available from the standard options range to add bespoke content from Bentley’s Mulliner division, representing a 43 per cent rise over 2022, an indication of the desire for truly unique exclusivity in the luxury … [Read more...]
Welsh dealers sweep up KIA retail awards
Welsh dealers with the Kia franchise cleaned up in the brand's retail awards for 2023. For the third consecutive year, Gravells Kia Bridgend was awarded the prestigious ‘Dealer of the Year’ title and Jonathan Gravell (below left) received the trophy from Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK Limited in the dealer convention in Liverpool. An exceptional hattrick result was achieved by the … [Read more...]
Newslines 16 January
Toyota and Lexus anticipate building over 3 million vehicles and Japan and more than 7 million in offshore plants in 2024. The rise has been forecast as component supplies ease and hybrid sales are rising. Hyundai Motor UK has appointed smart home charging business Ohme as its official home charging partner. Ohme's dynamic smart chargers can connect with the grid in real time, automatically … [Read more...]
Car makers want more EV incentives for private buyers
The UK new car market has recorded its best year since the pandemic as a strong December up 9.8%, wrapped up the 17th month of consecutive growth. Some 1.903 million new cars reached the road during 2023 – an increase of 17.9%, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. In Wales last year, registrations reached 66,761, a rise of nearly 16% over 2022 and … [Read more...]
Sell evs or pay penalties, makers and dealers told
Expect a big drive by dealers and manufacturers to sell electric models from today or face £15,000 fines for each model above statutory limits laid down by the Government. The rules mandating the minimum number of new pure electric cars and vans that have to be sold in the UK have come into force. From today, (Jan 3) at least 22% of new cars sold by carmakers have to be zero-emission and for new … [Read more...]
BEV charge is running down
The UK new car market grew by 9.5% in November to reach 156,525 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, but there's a slowdown in EV interest among private buyers. In the market’s best November for four years, registrations almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, down just 96 units (-0.1%) on 2019. Registrations in Wales rose 13.7% to 5,467 … [Read more...]