It isn’t just the trade that opposes potential changes to current MOT legislation. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has published the results of a YouGov survey, and these results indicate that a large majority of car owners want the MOT first test to continue taking place when their vehicle reaches three years of age.
Diesel powered cars have gained a lot of press since the Volkswagen emissions scandal became public knowledge in 2015, and much of this has been negative. The Government is now considering measures that will discourage the use of diesel cars, with disincentives such as a ‘toxins tax’ or banning polluting vehicles from city centres a possibility. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) believes such steps don’t do the latest generation of diesel vehicles justice, and has issued a list of ten facts it hopes will inform motorists about diesels:
“Light commercial registrations under 3.5 tonnes were down -0.9 per cent in March – and the same year to date for the first quarter of 2017”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s light commercial vehicle registration figures.
The UK new car market grew by 8.4 per cent in March. A total of 562,337 new cars were registered during the month, an amount that, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), is the highest monthly figure since records began. Registrations reached new heights as buyers seized the chance to buy cars before the new vehicle excise duty (VED) rates came into force. Under the new system implemented on 1 April, all new cars (except for those with zero emissions) are subject to an annual flat rate charge.
On the day that Prime Minister Theresa May official wrote to the European Union signalling the UK’s intent to leave the EU, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) called for the automotive industry to be at the heart of negotiations.
April 2017’s CV Show looks set to mark an important event in the tyre business year, with a strong showing for the industry reflecting both the resilience shown in the UK commercial vehicle sector in 2016 and the potential opportunities offered by the coming period of political change. SMMT registration figures reveal that 2016 was a better year than might have been expected in the haulage and people transportation segments.
Not only is Automechanika Birmingham 2017 set to be 70 per cent bigger than last year’s inaugural show, this year’s event seeks to connect the aftermarket with industry and government to support inward investment. Speaking at a press conference in central London on 9 March, Automechanika Birmingham event director Simon Albert and SMMT chief executive shared how they will bring the UK automotive industry together as part of efforts to “boost supply chain reshoring and make British cars more British” while at the same connecting the manufacturing and aftermarket sectors with each other.
UK vehicle manufacturing output has continued to grow over recent
The new light commercial vehicle market declined in February, falling -4.3 per cent to 13,291 registrations, according to SMMT. The downturn follows an exceptionally strong performance in 2016, when the sector recorded an eight-year high in registrations.
The UK new car market remained steady in February, dipping just -0.3 per cent, according to figures released by SMMT. 83,115 vehicles were registered in traditionally one of the quietest months of the year ahead of the number plate change in March. Fleets drove the market, with 45,699 cars registered, up 3.3 per cent, while private demand fell -4.4 per cent to 36,018 units and business registrations declined -5.3 per cent to 1,398.
Registrations of new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) rose 5.3 per cent to 46,231 units in 2016, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This is the sector’s third consecutive year of growth. The year ended on a positive note, with 13,555 new HGVs registered in the fourth quarter – a 2.3 per cent improvement on the same period in 2015.
The new van market got off to a positive start in 2017, with January seeing a small 1.2 per cent growth in registrations, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Heavy vans weighing between 2.5 and 3.5t, which make up the bulk of the market, rose 5.6 per cent in January. Meanwhile, pickups’ popularity continued to grow following a successful 2016, with registrations increasing 28.9 per cent.
The UK new car market got 2017 the year off to a good start and achieved record levels of registration again January. According to the latest SMMT figures, 174,564 new cars were registered on British roads in January – rising 2.9 per cent to the highest level since 2005.
Not long after Theresa May gave her headline Brexit speech, various automotive industry representatives spoke out about their perspective on the ongoing issue:
The UK new car market achieved another record year in 2016, with annual registrations climbing for the fifth year in a row to almost 2.7 million, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The market has experienced uplifts in 10 out of the last 12 months, albeit finishing with a December down slightly by -1.1 per cent – with 178,022 new cars registered in the month. However, the SMMT also gave a negative prediction for growth in 2017.
David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union as well as DFT and BEIS ministers joined a roundtable with SMMT and automotive leaders regarding Brexit and the automotive industry. The event took place on 12 December at SMMT’s headquarters in London and was also attended by John Hayes, Minster of State, Department for Transport and Nick Hurd, Minister of State, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
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