The new DBX SUV has been given the Q-treatment of bespoke luxuries and features by Aston Martin. The Welsh-made luxury car will be shown in its latest Q-code design at next week’s Geneva motor show. Volkswagen's adding a range-topping premium model to its flagship Touareg line – the Touareg R. The versatile model’s 340 kW (462 PS) plug-in hybrid drive … [Read more...]
UK Automotive needs favourable Brexit deal, says SMMT president
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has urged all parties to put UK Automotive at the heart of their economic and trade policies. Setting out the industry’s priorities for a new government, the trade body called for an ambitious, world-beating Brexit trade deal to maintain the sector’s competitiveness and ability to deliver innovation, … [Read more...]
Car makers rising concerns over Brexit
European Union car-makers have joined forces to warn of billions of euros in losses in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Groups including the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and 17 national bodies warned of the impact of “no-deal” and the effect on 13.8 million people in the European Union … [Read more...]
East & West are best together, says expert
European and Chinese car makers need to work more closely together, says Erik Jonnaert, ACEA Secretary General. They account for half of all passenger cars sold and built around the world and the regions are emerging as the major global regulatory powers, setting ambitious standards and targets for tomorrow’s vehicles. Last year, the Chinese car market … [Read more...]
What Brexit means to Welsh automotive businesses
Welsh Government and the Welsh Automotive Forum have been looking at the implications of a no-deal Brexit and produced guidance notes for businesses. UK import tariffs in a no-deal scenario - The Government has published details of the UK’s temporary tariff regime for no deal. The regime would be temporary, and the Government would closely monitor the … [Read more...]
European car prices face rise but Japanese go down
Some european cars will rise in price under the Government’s proposed post-Brexit tariffs structures. The new tariff regime would mark a shift in favour of products from non-EU countries. Even so, they mean 82% of imports from the EU would be tariff-free, down from 100% now, while 92% percent from the rest of the world would pay no border duty, up from … [Read more...]
Honda fall-out affects Wales
A dozen businesses in Wales make parts for Honda, said the Welsh Automotive Forum. The component suppliers employ thousands of workers and Welsh Government and WAF are taking steps to identify the true impact of the Honda closure and how the employees can be helped. Honda will close its vehicle assembly plant in Turkey along with the Swindon operation … [Read more...]
Auto-industry on brink of disaster without deal
Ahead of this evening’s Brexit summit, Europe’s auto manufacturers and suppliers have come together to issue a stark warning on the potentially far-reaching impacts of a no-deal scenario on their sector, which would threaten their very business model. Automobile production plants – be they in the EU27 or the UK – receive and fit millions of parts into … [Read more...]
Landmark changes signpost Paris motor show
The 2018 Paris Motor Show this week comes at a time when the European automotive industry is facing three major challenges: the introduction of WLTP, trade tensions in the US, and the outcome of Brexit negotiations. How quickly the market continues to grow will depend on how quickly it adapts to the knock-on effects caused by these factors. In the … [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’ … [Read more...]
