Like a schoolgirl who left an important project to the last minute and then begged teacher for more time, Teresa May has returned from Brussels with a further extension to Brexit. Now we might need to wait until 31 October to discover how the future relationship between the UK and EU will look. The head of the body representing the UK automotive industry considers this waiting and further waiting untenable.
Peugeot ambassador Judy Murray OBE will be a guest speaker at Autocar’s Great British Women in the Car Industry event, which will be held in London on Wednesday 19 June.
The UK’s new car market enjoyed marginal growth in February, up 1.4 per cent following five straight months of decline, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 81,969 new cars were registered on UK roads in the month (a year on year uplift of 1,164 units), traditionally one of the quietest of the year, ahead of the crucial March plate change.
This year to date, 36,620 new LCVs have been registered, representing a rise of 5.8 per cent on the first two months of 2018.
SMMT’s latest figures highlight that the demand for Dual Purpose (4×4, SUV and crossover) vehicles is proving to be one of the most rapidly increasing segments, with an impressive 10 per cent increase in registrations in 2018.
To cater for this growing segment, Yokohama offers an extensive range of 4×4 tyres covering a broad range of vehicle applications. Not only do the tyres feature the latest technology to deliver the exceptional performance demanded in the replacement market, but they are also selected by a number of leadings manufacturers for OE fitment, including the Toyota Rav 4 and Hi Lux models, Chrysler Jeep Cherokee, Porsche Cayenne and latest BMW X5 M Performance model.
January’s production figures may have delivered good news to the commercial vehicle segment, but UK car manufacturers had nothing to celebrate. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that production in British car factories declined 18.2 per cent to 120,649 units in January 2019, marking the eighth successive month of decline. Both domestic and overseas demand decreased but it was the latter that fell most, with exports down -21.4 per cent to 93,781 units.
Commercial vehicle manufacturing in the UK grew 49.1 per cent in January. According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 9,182 vans, trucks, buses and coaches left production lines during the month. A number of large domestic orders and strong market incentives helped deliver the sector’s best January performance for seven years.
Justin Benson, head of automotive at KPMG UK, comments on the latest SMMT car manufacturing figures, which saw a 9.1 per cent fall in 2018.
British commercial vehicle manufacturing grew 8.5 per cent in 2018, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revealed. The increase in output, with 84,888 units leaving production lines, follows weaker performances in 2016 and 2017. The SMMT added that strong market incentives ahead of model changes also played a part in boosting output.
UK automotive companies are reducing production and backing off investment as a way of bracing themselves for a no-deal Brexit, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Average CO2 emissions have climbed almost three per cent to 124.5g/km, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has warned. The rise has been blamed on a diesel sales slump and experts say if CO2 emissions continue to rise it could have detrimental effects on the environment and also see countries miss their targets for slashing emissions.
The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market dropped -8.8 per cent in December, capping off a mixed year for the sector, which saw a moderate decline of -1.3 per cent in 2018, according to the latest figures from the SMMT.
The UK new car market declined by -6.8 per cent in 2018, with annual registrations falling for a second year to 2,367,147 units, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A -5.5 per cent decline in December capped a turbulent year of model changes, regulatory upheaval and continued anti-diesel policies, adding to the ongoing decline in consumer and business confidence.
Commenting on October’s car manufacturing figures, Justin Benson, Head of Automotive at KPMG UK, said:
“The automotive sector in the UK is at a hiatus. Consumer confidence is on a downward trend and is already at lower levels when compared to the same period last year.
The UK new car market declined by a modest -3.0 per cent in November with some 158,639 units registered, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Stalling consumer confidence, supply delays due to implementation of the new WLTP emissions test and model replacement all combined to affect overall sales.
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