China's Nio car company, which mostly makes crossover electric models from US design and engineering centres' input, plans to launch its range in Europe in 2021. The company is also heavily involved in battery to grid systems to maximise income and technology. McLaren Automotive will introduce a new, flexible, lightweight vehicle tub for its next generation of electrified supercars. The new … [Read more...]
A plan for saving automotive jobs in Wales
Welsh Government and councils must prioritise supporting Tata Steel Port Talbot and Toyota Deeside, according to a far reaching report prepared for the Welsh Automotive Forum. The report by Ian Henry, head of Autoanalysis, follows similar studies he has carried out for WAF in recent years but his final conclusions have been published against a background of a global economic … [Read more...]
Britishvolt appoint senior team for Welsh super-plant
Britishvolt, the UK’s foremost investor in battery technologies, has announced the appointment of Ray Macera as Project Director for the construction and implementation of Britain’s first battery gigaplant at Bro Tathan, St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan. Macera, who is reporting directly to Britishvolt CEO, Orral Nadjari, leads one of the largest industrial investments in British history. The … [Read more...]
Skills shortage warning
A combination of the lockdown restrictions over the past six months, a 'baby boom' in 2003/4 and a decline in registered driving instructors means the UK could fall into a national shortage of driving instructors in the latter half of 2020, with the problem only predicted to continue and grow. Learner driver insurers, Marmalade has studied the data and forecast big problems for the industry and … [Read more...]
Behind the Wheel: Driving towards a cliff
Tens of thousands of more jobs are likely to disappear from the UK automotive sector before the end of the year, writes Robin Roberts. Some 11,349 jobs so far axed following lockdown will grow and despite this week’s 11% rise in new car registrations the outlook is bleak. That’s because the first upturn in showroom sales came at the end of three months when all showrooms were in … [Read more...]
New car sales rise in hoped for lift to market
Pent up demand after lockdown eased is thought to have driven a rise in new car registrations last month. Figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders due to be released later this morning are expected to show an 11% rise compared with the same month in 2019. December saw the last increase but it was a blip after a year of decline. The new car sales market has struggled with … [Read more...]
Newslines 31 July
The cost of insuring a car has decreased by £80 over the past six months, according to new data from comparethemarket.com. It now costs an average of £1,182 to insure a car for those aged between 17-24 and while premiums have historically fluctuated throughout the year, average premiums remain significantly lower than the same time last year and are now at their lowest levels since 2015 for the … [Read more...]
End of the road for Mitsubishi cars in UK
Mitsubishi cars will stop being sold in the UK and Europe. Importers Colt Cars, of Cirencester has written to over 100 UK franchise dealers saying the news was unexpected from Japan and meant no new generation models would be coming through the system but they can sell current models. Colt Cars is working to ensure as many retailers as possible are retained to support customers with parts and … [Read more...]
Ford secure loan guarantees for Dagenham engine plant
As Ford prepare to close their Bridgend Engine Plant this year with the loss of about 1,200 jobs, the company has secured a UK Government underwritten £500M loan to support its Dagenham engine plant. The guarantee covers 80 percent of a £625M loan from commercial banks to support the automaker’s substantial exports of engines and transmissions from Britain. The guarantee will help Ford to … [Read more...]
Motor industry disappointed with summer statement
Announcements to safeguard jobs and encourage consumer spending in some parts of the economy are welcome but it’s bitterly disappointing the Chancellor has stopped short of supporting the restart of one of the UK’s most important employers and a driver of growth, said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. "The automotive sector has been particularly hard hit, with thousands of job losses already … [Read more...]