Britain’s used car market remained near recent record highs in the third quarter of 2018, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Despite a sales dip of -2.1% compared with the same period in 2017, there were 2,057,457 used transactions in Q3, with August the quarter’s best-selling month and the Ford Fiesta was most popular with 93,260 sold. Buyers continued flocking to … [Read more...]
Tradelines 14 November
Findings from Ben’s first industry survey in 2017 indicated that bullying was rated the third most important issue of all health and wellbeing topics. In light of these results, Ben has launched new resources on its website to help people cope with this difficult issue and find out more about what bullying is and how to deal with it. The UK new heavy goods vehicle market declined 7.0% in Q3 … [Read more...]
Winter car sales need booster injection
The UK new car market declined again in October, with 153,599 vehicles registered, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Deliveries fell by -2.9% in the month, as model changes and backlogs at test houses conducting tough new WLTP emissions certification continued to cause shortages across some brands. Wales bucked the trend with a 6% rise to 5,721 new cars … [Read more...]
Newslines 20 October
Production of the Ford GT supercar will be extended approximately two years, to meet overwhelming customer demand. Ford will re-open the application window to customers in selected markets, including the UK, for one month beginning Nov. 8, delivering approximately 1,350 Ford GTs for customers worldwide. Car makers in the UK said they were “hugely disappointed” by the diplomatic traffic jam … [Read more...]
Changes to EV subsidies will hit consumers, say SMMT
Government’s decision to cut the Plug-in Car Grant will have far-reaching consequences for consumers, the environment and industry, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Reducing the purchase incentives for zero emission cars by a third and completely removing the grant for plug-in hybrids is totally at odds with Government ambition to be the world leader in the take up of ultra … [Read more...]
Welsh & UK automotive supply chain sees Brexit lifeline
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders launched its new Brexit Readiness Programme to help the industry, especially SMEs in the automotive supply chain, prepare for the UK leaving the EU. With less than six months to secure a withdrawal deal and concerns of a cliff-edge on 30 March, the programme is part of ongoing efforts to provide support for small and medium sized member companies … [Read more...]
Contrasting SUVs compared
On a regular basis the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders get together the latest new models at one of their test days for accredited motoring journalists to briefly sample the latest new car offerings. At the most recent event, due to the fact that sales of SUVs of all sizes and prices are booming and accounting for one of every three new cars sold, I took the opportunity to … [Read more...]
Newslines 1 October
VW, BMW, MB and Porsche have suspended European sales of their plug-in hybrid models, reports Automotive News Europe. The new WLTP emissions programme tests them differently to the former NEDC regulations and the result is their CO2 footprint is bigger and outside the limits for subsidies and their owners have to pay higher taxes. UK engine production was stable in August, with just 0.3% … [Read more...]
Welsh motorists tailing UK buying average
Just over a third of Welsh drivers would consider buying a new car, some way behind the national average. They are also less likely to look at a second hand car than the average and more likely to put up with their present model. But the gap is narrowing and with sales incentives in showrooms the car sales market is hotting up between new and used. In Wales, 43% said they would consider … [Read more...]
Carmakers clamour for Brexit deal
A ‘no-deal’ Brexit must be ruled out now to avoid damaging one of the EU’s most valuable economic assets, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders is warning. Time is running out, and negotiators on both sides of the Channel must prioritise the agreement of terms for a managed withdrawal and ‘status quo’ transition as soon as possible. ‘No-deal’ would undermine the industry’s ability to … [Read more...]