The UK Automotive industry is unlikely to return to previous high levels of production and component suppliers in Wales must look elsewhere to survive, delegates to the Autolink 2022 conference were told yesterday. The gloomy outlook and warning was given by Prof Ian Henry, managing director of AutoAnalysis and a HM Government advisor on the motor industry speaking at the annual Welsh Automotive … [Read more...]
Car production improves but issues remain
Though the outlook is beginning to look more positive as production levels rise for the third month in a row and the industry shows signs of recovery, persistent issues will continue to cause turbulence in the coming months, said Lisa Watson, Director of Sales at Close Brothers Motor Finance. “The ongoing conflict in Ukraine means the well-documented semiconductor shortage is continuing to cause … [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...]
Car-parts makers face unprecedented change
The speed of change for the automotive industry is accelerating and also diversifying, according to the latest analysis by the car maker's component suppliers body. The results of the latest CLEPA Pulse Check survey reflect the expectations of automotive suppliers and provides an outlook into an increasingly volatile business environment, with the Russia-Ukraine crisis exacerbating an already … [Read more...]
New regs are slowing home charger fixings
Confusion over regulations covering the installation of home chargers is substantially delaying electric car and van adoption, says the Association of Fleet Professionals. The industry body reports that issues are arising over the fitting of isolators usually put in place as part of the home charger circuit, providing the means to completely cut power to the charging unit if required. In June … [Read more...]
Fleet budgets challenged as hires are extended
Service, maintenance and repair budgets are being severely challenged as fleets are forced to run vehicles for longer, with no end in sight to the immediate lack of vehicle availability due to the semiconductor crisis. According to tyre and maintenance provider ATS Euromaster, both fleets and leasing companies are having to juggle new car availability against extended rentals and increased … [Read more...]
Chips with everything – you’ll be lucky!
The chips shortage continues to pressure industry and presents a significant to existential challenge for automotive suppliers, highlighting the need for a dedicated semiconductor strategy and tangible action from policymakers. European automotive suppliers welcome the European Commission’s initiative for an EU Chips Act, due to be published 8 February, and present four concrete actions to make … [Read more...]
JLR loses £9M through semi-conductor shortages
Jaguar Land Rover lost £9m in the last three months of 2021 amid the computer chip shortage. Global sales fall 37.6% compared to a year earlier with just 80,126 vehicles delivered in the quarter to the end of December but despite that fall in production the company saw revenue of £4.7bn, up 22% on the previous quarter. UK car production last year fell to its lowest level since … [Read more...]
Welsh engineering company closes after 75 years
Allevard Springs will close its South Wales car components plant. About 60 jobs will go. The company moved to Tonypandy as part of the UK Government’s encouragement to boost jobs in South Wales following WW2 and it started production in 1947 for Land Rover. Work expanded and it was a significant supplier to car and light commercial vehicles over the next 70 years but the contraction in vehicle … [Read more...]
Car makers are removing safety features
Car makers are removing safety features from models due to the shortage of semi-conductors and this is going to cause issues for fleets and buyers, warn the Association of Fleet Professionals, Fleets should think carefully before buying new company cars that have had safety devices removed from their specification because of the semiconductor shortage, the Association of Fleet Professionals … [Read more...]