UK new vehicle manufacturing declined by -11.9% to 417,232 units in the first six months of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders last week, but the foundations have been set for recovery. The decline was softened by a 6.6% increase in car production in June, although this was in comparison with last year when model … [Read more...]
UK car production stalls again
UK car manufacturing output fell 15.3% in October, the eighth consecutive month of decline, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 77,484 units left factory gates, 14,037 fewer than in the same month last year, with plants continuing their retooling to enable production of the next generation of zero emission … [Read more...]
Production levels lifting at last
Though well-documented supply challenges continue to affect car production, pressure appears to be easing as manufacturers push to return to pre-pandemic levels, accoridng to Lisa Watson, director of sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance. Speaking after the latest UK car production figures were released for November, she went on, “Challenges such as the … [Read more...]
Tradelines 30 November
The excessive margins being taken on fuel by the UK’s four big supermarkets have been further called into question as the RAC discovered membership-only retailer Costco has reacted to the falling wholesale market by cutting its petrol by 8p a litre to 147.7p– 12p less than the average price of a litre bought at a supermarket and 14p lower than the UK … [Read more...]
Newslines 28 November
Government plans that could see novice drivers being allowed to automatically drive lorries have been condemned by the UK’s leading independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart. A recent government consultation suggested that drivers who possess a category B car licence should be instantly entitled to a category C1 licence, which allows motorists to … [Read more...]
Car production stutters on shortages
UK car production declined -19.2% in the first six months of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, with 95,792 fewer vehicles built compared with the same period in 2021. Just 403,131 units were built, representing the weakest first half since the pandemic-ravaged 2020 and worse than 2009 when the global financial crisis … [Read more...]
Global vehicle production edges up
Light vehicle production is growing after the pandemics and supply shortages, say analysts with S&P Global Mobility. Production revisions continue to reflect the dynamic environment impacting the auto industry. In the months following the start of Russia/Ukraine conflict, S&P Global Mobility has done some “fine tuning” with this month’s forecast … [Read more...]
Newslines 22 April
Kia has revealed UK pricing and specification details for the all-new Kia Niro as customer pre-orders for the second-generation open with deliveries in the autumn. There is a choice of 139bhp 1.6 litre hybrid, 180bhp 1.6 litre plug-in hybrid and 64.8kWh pure electric models in three trim levels from £27,745, £32,775 and £34,995 respectively for each … [Read more...]
UK car production slumps to 13 year low
UK car production fell -20.1% to 68,790 units last month, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It was the weakest January since 2009 and output was down 17,262 units against the same month last year, which itself was one of the worst Januarys on record when volumes were impacted by friction in the new post-Brexit trading arrangements, … [Read more...]
Car making in UK still sluggish
UK car production fell -41.5% in September, the third consecutive month of decline, with 67,169 cars manufactured – the worst performing September since 1982 - according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Output continues to be hampered by the production stoppages caused by the ongoing global shortage of semiconductors as well as the loss … [Read more...]