The automotive industry is firmly anchored in Britain and economics and efficiency will not see it bolt to the continent as Britain negotiates its exit from the EU. Vehicle manufacturers were well on the road to recovery after the slump of 2009 and many were now heading towards record production while efficiency levels are the best in Europe. Some car makers might have to rethink their … [Read more...]
Summer sales cooling in showrooms
Britain’s new car market is “cooling" this summer. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed a 0.1% rise compared to a year ago and put down to business sales keeping it ahead. Sales in the first seven months of 2016 were 1,599,159 but the industry has been expecting a slow down and SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said it was important for the Government to maintain … [Read more...]
UK car makers achieve record production
UK car makers reported their 11th consecutive month of growth in June. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported production grew 10.4% to 158,641 units – the highest level for the month since 1998, when volumes reached 172,232. The performance closes the industry’s best first half for 16 years, with 897,157 cars rolling off production lines so far in 2016 – up 13% on the same … [Read more...]
UK new car sales go into reverse
Wales' football success is thought to have scored an own goal in car showrooms as new car sales dipped in June after four years of sustained growth. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the industry had seen a cooling off in showrooms for a few months and it was too soon to attribute the dip of 0.8% to the Referendum vote. “It’s important Government takes every measure to restore business … [Read more...]
UK Automotive is gaining ground, say car makers
The UK automotive industry continues to make significant gains in employment, economic contribution and environmental performance, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The industry body’s 17th annual Sustainability Report reveals that the automotive manufacturing sector turned over a record £71.6 billion in 2015. Jobs, production output and vehicle sales all grew while the … [Read more...]
New car registrations hit 14 year high
New car registrations were the highest for 14 years in May. SMMT said 203,585 cars were registered in the month, the highest May figure since 2002. It was a steady 2.5% growth over the same month last year, and follows the trend of the previous two months, as fleet registrations drove the growth, with an 8.8% rise counterbalancing a -3.0% fall in registrations to private customers. Demand … [Read more...]
Wales car sales dip amid jobs worries
New car registrations in Wales dipped by just under 3% to 6,535 in April. Possibly reflecting uncertainty about the Welsh economy and buyers staying away from showrooms, the decrease contrasts with a 2% rise in the UK as a whole. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said it was the highest April total for 13 years, 189,505 cars were registered and the market growth was led by the … [Read more...]
Severn Bridge Tolls to be halved
News that tolls on the Severn bridges will be halved has been described as a step in the right direction by the Freight Transport Association. George Osborne announced as part of his Budget statement yesterday that the Government will halve tolls on the Severn River Crossings, once the Crossings are in public ownership, subject to public consultation. Alongside this, it will also review the … [Read more...]
Car, engine and CV manufacturing booming in Britain
British car production posted healthy growth in September, according to figures published by the SMMT. Output rose 15.5% compared with September last year, with year-to-date volumes 3.3% up on the same period in 2015. As seen in previous months, production for the UK market led the way with a gain of 20.1% – but new car exports were not far behind with a robust 13.9% increase in … [Read more...]
Search underway for next great auto-innovators
Car-makers have started this year’s search for the next generation of automotive industry innovators, announcing applications for the Autocar Courland Next Generation Award 2015 now open. Supported by SMMT, the Next Generation Award throws down the gauntlet to those looking to pursue a career in the thriving automotive sector. The prize is unique, with the winner gaining six months of … [Read more...]