February’s figures reinforce the robust performance of the UK automotive sector, maintaining a strong start to 2024 and signalling a nineteenth month of consecutive growth, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, commenting on the latest SMMT new passenger car registration figures. In February, a total of 84,886 new cars were registered, an increase of … [Read more...]
Car makers Budget plan to overcome stalling EV sales
The automotive industry is calling for the Chancellor to use this week's Budget to put the UK’s shift to electric vehicles back in the fast lane. Research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders from Savanta has revealed that rising numbers of would-be EV drivers are now likely to delay their switch to a battery electric car – but a three-point plan of tax reform would … [Read more...]
Newslines 9 February
Car dealers face becoming the focus of a new customers financial scandal similar to PPI claims of the last two decades. The Financial Conduct Authority is investigating cases of finance houses not paying out compensation to customers over now-banned ‘discretionary commission arrangements’ and the watchdog is using its powers under S166 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to identify … [Read more...]
Government EV strategy needs rapid recharge warn Lords
The Government must do more to get people to adopt EVs, says a Lords Committee. "If it fails to heed our recommendations the UK won’t reap the significant benefits of better air quality and will lag in the slow lane for tackling climate change,” said Baroness Kate Parminter, Chair of the inquiry (below). The inquiry was launched in August 2023 to identify the main obstacles and barriers to a … [Read more...]
EV regs hit a million but petrol sales climbing too
Discounted business registrations meant Britain’s millionth battery electric car reached the road in January 2024, while the new car market grew 8.2% for the month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The first month of the year saw 142,876 new cars registered led by the Kia Sportage (above), which repeated its success of January 2022, and an UK uplift of 10,882 units on … [Read more...]
UK Auto surges over a million models made
UK vehicle production hit 1,025,474 units in 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. With 905,117 cars and 120,357 commercial vehicles (CVs) produced, output was up 17.0% on the previous year with the easing of pandemic-related challenges from chip shortages to lockdowns and increasing electrified model production, combined to drive annual output above one million for … [Read more...]
Newslines 26 January
The exclusive Auto Vivendi supercar club is powering ahead this year. It's already significant car collection is due to expand further with the arrival of the must have cars for 2024, including the highly anticipated Ferrari Purosangue (above) and Lamborghini Revuelto (below) and coupled with signature events, including supercar drive tours to Italy, Iceland and Spain, 2024 promises to be another … [Read more...]
Car makers want more EV incentives for private buyers
The UK new car market has recorded its best year since the pandemic as a strong December up 9.8%, wrapped up the 17th month of consecutive growth. Some 1.903 million new cars reached the road during 2023 – an increase of 17.9%, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. In Wales last year, registrations reached 66,761, a rise of nearly 16% over 2022 and … [Read more...]
Newslines 2 January
China's biggest electric car maker in the world, BYD, announced the next stage of its European strategy with the construction of a massive manufacturing and production centre in Szeged, Hungary. The state-of-the-art facility will be the first of its kind built by a Chinese automotive company in Europe and will have a highly advanced car production line as it gradually ramps up manufacturing and … [Read more...]
BEV charge is running down
The UK new car market grew by 9.5% in November to reach 156,525 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, but there's a slowdown in EV interest among private buyers. In the market’s best November for four years, registrations almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, down just 96 units (-0.1%) on 2019. Registrations in Wales rose 13.7% to 5,467 … [Read more...]