One in six jobs are at risk of redundancy without help from the government in restarting production of the automotive sectors, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The SMMT wants emergency funding, permanent short-time working, business rate holidays, and VAT cuts to stem the flow of job losses as showroom reopen and production lines are … [Read more...]
White Dove Suzuki opens in Cardiff
One of South Wales’ longest established motoring families has a new member. White Dove Motor Group, founded in 1961, has added the Suzuki franchise to its current portfolio of SEAT and Skoda brands. White Dove Suzuki has invested over £1,000,000 in their new four-acre premises at Hadfield Road - Bessemer Close, Cardiff, Leckwith, created ten jobs in their … [Read more...]
Breaking news: Welsh dealers get green light to reopen
Welsh car dealerships can re-open for business after the weekend. First Minister Mark Drakeford will this morning announce non-essential retail businesses in Wales will be able to open from monday if they can take all reasonable measures to comply with the 2 metre physical distancing duty in Welsh law. The change is at the heart of a comprehensive … [Read more...]
Bentley cut jobs and JLR get massive Chinese loan
Bentley is cutting about 1,000 jobs, a quarter of its workforce at Crewe, due to a fall in sales for the 101 year old company. It had increased sales last year by 5% to 11,000 models but the pandemic fallout hit them hard and now it’s preparing to offer voluntary redundancy to many before making redundancies. Jaguar Land Rover has entered into agreements … [Read more...]
Aston Martin St Athan plant importance grows
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 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [Read more...]
Dealers plea for Government help
Six in ten car dealers want prolonged support with grants and loans from Government. New research from Close Brothers Motor Finance reveals the priorities across the motor industry as they call for further Government support in light of Covid-19. The sector has been hit particularly hard by the UK lockdown, with new car sales plunging 97% year-on-year in … [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 … [Read more...]
