The UK new car market declined again in July, with 157,198 vehicles leaving showrooms, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Registrations fell by -4.1 per cent, the fifth consecutive month of decline, as political and economic uncertainty and confusion over future government policy on different fuel types continued to knock consumer and business confidence.
Another blow on the automotive industry’s chin as we inch closer towards a no-deal Brexit. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has released its latest UK manufacturing figures, and they make a depressing read. British car manufacturing output fell by more than a fifth in the first half of 2019, while commercial vehicle production was down more than 16 per cent and engine production almost 11 per cent. KPMG considers these numbers “worrying.”
Particulate and plastic pollution from brakes, tyres and road wear are in the spotlight again. The Air Quality Expert Group (AQEG) released a new report today that highlights the impact of this pollution, and the UK Government reports that Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey and Transport Minister Michael Ellis are “leading a push” to tackle its impact. The aim is for the introduction of an international standard that covers tyre and brake wear.
In contrast to the new car market, SMMT figures reveal that June marked the sixth consecutive month of growth for the UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market, as registrations rose 13.5 per cent. The performance meant a record first six months of the year, as buyers continued to be attracted to the variety of enticing offers and ranges available.
UK new car registrations declined for a fourth consecutive month in June, with year-on-year demand falling by -4.9 per cent to 223,421 units, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 1,269,245 new cars joined British roads in the first half of the year, down -3.4 per cent as ongoing confusion over low emission zones and diesel, the removal of key ultra low emission vehicle incentives and an overall decline in buyer confidence affected the market.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has issued a plea to the UK’s next prime minister to secure a favourable Brexit deal as his number one priority on taking office. The call came as the trade body published a new report highlighting the importance of automotive trade to the UK economy and the high stakes of a ‘no deal’ Brexit. SMMT’s 2019 UK Automotive Trade Report calculates that delays to production caused by friction at the border could add up to £50,000 a minute for the sector.
The UK economy contracted 0.4 per cent compared with the month before, following a sharp decline in automotive manufacturing, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As a result of the contraction, growth for the three months to April slowed to 0.3 per cent.
More and more environmentally-friendly electric vehicles are hitting UK streets but there is a fear that the rise of deadly silent electric vans will lead to deaths on British streets unless drivers adopt vital noise safety tech.
The UK new car market declined by -4.6 per cent in May with 183,724 units registered, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The fall reflects continued uncertainty over diesel and clean air zones as well as the removal of incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Meanwhile, the underlying economic and political instability continues to affect consumer and business confidence.
British car manufacturing output -44.5 per cent in April, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Just 70,971 cars rolled off production lines during the month as factory shutdowns, rescheduled to mitigate against the expected uncertainty of a 29 March Brexit, took effect in many plants across the UK.
Commercial vehicle manufacturing in the UK declined rapidly as a result of planned shutdowns in April. Just 2,162 units were produced, -70.9 per cent down on the previous month. The year to date figure remains positive, with volumes up 10.3 per cent as a result of domestic demand, though exports are still the majority, making up nearly 60 per cent of production in the first four months.
UK car manufacturing output plummeted in April, with figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showing it was down -44.5 per cent year-on-year. 70,971 cars rolled off production lines in the month, as factory shutdowns, rescheduled to mitigate against the expected uncertainty of a 29 March Brexit, took effect in many plants across the UK.
Demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew in April, up 4.7 per cent, according to the latest figures from Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 24,604 vans and pick-ups were registered in the month, with new models and compelling market incentives continuing the strong growth seen in Q1.
The UK new car market declined by -4.1 per cent in April, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The month saw 161,064 units registered, the second lowest April volume since 2012 but following a double-digit increase the previous year.
British car production declined -14.4 per cent in March, falling for the 10th month in a row with 126,195 units rolling off factory lines, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Production for both home and overseas markets declined in double digits, down -18.1 per cent and -13.4 per cent respectively.
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