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 vehicles. Some 24,719 battery electric, plug-in … [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 global chip shortage remain but are … [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 average. The RAC – which earlier this week … [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 drive vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tonnes … [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 decimated demand. The main cause remains … [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 update, which includes some more … [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 powertrain. The next generation BMW 7 Series … [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, extended shutdowns and the … [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 of production capacity arising from the … [Read more...]
Microchips take a battering
Vehicle makers have had their chips, as industry watchers report a global shortage of some software used by automotive manufactuers. As China recovers from the CV-19 pandemic it is the first to experience the shortage of microchips used for a variety of in-vehicle applications. Components made or assembled in China are not the only units to suffer as many microchips come from Europe and it is … [Read more...]
