UK car production last year fell to its lowest level since 1956, according to annual statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It said a total of 775,014 cars were built in 2022 – a 9.8 per cent slump on the 859,575 made during the previous year, when the recession and pandemic were still gripping businesses. The industry blamed the global shortage of semiconductors and … [Read more...]
Newslines 17 October
Not only are there an insufficient number of electric charging points along the road networks in most EU countries, but the vast majority of these do not charge quickly enough, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). ACEA is alerting policy makers to this double problem – which risks stalling market uptake of electric cars – a week ahead of the European … [Read more...]
Tradelines 9 March
An unexpected decline in interest in electric vehicles on the Auto Trader marketplace could spell trouble for the Government’s green transport plans. Pure electric vehicles accounted for 11.6% of new car sales in 2021, up from 6.6% in 2020, but the headline figures tell a misleading story and Auto Trader, the UK’s leading online automotive marketplace, has long been warning that the sky-high … [Read more...]
Nissan decision puts pressure on Ellesmere Port investment
Britain is charging up for a battery cars’ future. Nissan said today that its Sunderland car plant is secure for the long term as a result of the trade deal reached between the UK and the EU. It already makes traction batteries next to its Sunderland assembly plant and now says additional battery production will be invested where it has 6,000 direct employees and supports nearly 70,000 jobs in … [Read more...]
TVR begin Welsh factory preparations
TVR is pushing ahead with plans for its proposed car production plant near Ebbw Vale. Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd has been awarded the principal contract for a significant programme of works including replacement of the main building’s roof, the recladding of the building, extensive groundworks and also preparation of a prototype build area at the side of the intended main production area and … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 November
US safety engineers have issued a warning about 115,0000 Tesla models over possible suspension failure. It concerns Model S and Model X cars from 2015 and 2017 after 43 cars were reportedly involved and three years ago the car maker issued a service check advisory, Reuters reports. Britishvolt has announced the intention to site its new global headquarters in the West Midlands. The new … [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...]
Pininfarina creates Welsh factory design
A company which has styled Ferrari cars and some of the world’s most iconic automobiles has been commissioned to build the Britishvolt battery gigaplant at St Athan. Pininfarina has more than 90 years at the forefront of innovative automotive design, and more recently an expansion into the field of architecture. After decades of working with top brands such as Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Peugeot – … [Read more...]
£1.2 Billion plant promises thousands of Welsh jobs
A £1.2 Billion deal is close to being signed to bring over 3,500 and up to 15,000 jobs with a new massive car batteries plant adjacent to the Aston Martin Lagonda facility at St Athan, in the Vale of Glamorgan. UK start-up battery manufacturer Britishvolt has shortlisted the site at the former RAF base next to where AML (above) started making their luxury DBX SUV in December and where it also … [Read more...]