SMMT welcomes new member Univar
Univar Speciality Consumables, a UK-based distributor of specialty products and lubricants, announced it has joined the membership of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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Demand for vans rises in March
SMMT figures show that the new van market finished the first three months of the year on a high, with a 3.3 per cent uplift in demand in March. The 63,913 registrations made in the month represented some two thirds of the quarter’s total volume, with 98,906 new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) hitting British roads in the year to date – up 1.2 per cent on the same period in 2015.
Plate change boosts March car registrations
The UK’s new car market grew by 5.3 per cent in March, making it the biggest ever month since the bi-annual plate change began in 1999, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
518,707 new cars were registered in March, only the third time the market has surpassed half a million units in a single month. The month rounded off a record quarter, in which 771,780 new cars were registered – a 5.1 per cent increase over the first quarter in 2015.
GT Automotive joins SMMT
Specialist automotive parts supplier, GT Automotive, continues on its path of investing in the UK aftermarket by signing up to SMMT.
GT Automotive will now have access to discounted products, specific member services and member-only areas of the website.
White cars cost more
Whilst white used to be a free colour choice from manufacturers, figures from cap hpi reveal that eight out of the top 10 new car models ordered in 2015 added an extra premium of at least £250 to go a whiter shade of pale. However, according to the SMMT, one in five new cars sold in 2015 was white, making it the most popular colour for car buyers for the third year running. For those who want a car that looks pure as the driven snow, but for a lesser price, cap hpi puts the spotlight on those models which still come with an option to have white for free.
Roadlink’s six-figure factory investment
Roadlink International has invested the best part of £700k in its commercial vehicle caliper remanufacturing operation with the opening of a brand new facility at its head office in Willenhall, West Midlands.
February new van market “steady” says SMMT
SMMT figures show the new van market achieved a steady performance in February, with registrations at the same level as this time last year, when the sector recorded a seven-year high. 13,891 new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) were registered in February – traditionally one of the quietest months of the year.
Private customers attracted by incentives and low interest rate, says Glass’s
Commenting on the February new car registrations, Steve Jackson, chief car editor, Glass’s, said: “February SMMT registration statistics show private customers have been incentivised back in to the market with low interest rates, deposit incentives and a selection of new models on offer.
February car registrations continue positive start to 2016
Figures from the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that new car registrations continued the positive start to 2016 in February, growing 8.4 per cent compared with the same month in 2015. 83,395 new cars were registered in the month, marking the biggest February since 2004.
77% of SMMT members want to stay in Europe
OEMs making cars in the UK want to stay in Europe. 77 per cent of SMMT members say remaining in Europe is best for their business, according to 2016 survey by independent pollster ComRes. Indeed, there is strong support for EU membership across the board, with 88 per cent of large SMMT member companies and 73 per cent of SME members in favour of remaining. This is the second time SMMT members have been canvassed on their Brexit views – and the second time the overwhelming majority have stated that staying in Europe is best for their business.
20 per cent of new cars registered are white
White is the number one car colour once again, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). White demand grew 2.2 per cent to 564,393 units in 2015. However, green saw the biggest uplift, with demand up 31.2 per cent to take seventh place in nation’s top 10.
Up to 5000 automotive job vacancies in the UK
There could be as many as 5,000 job vacancies in the UK automotive industry due to a skills shortage affecting the sector, according to a new report published by the Automotive Council.
The report, which was developed by automotive industry consultants SMMT Industry Forum on behalf of the Automotive Industrial Partnership, surveys a range of British-based automotive firms, from vehicle manufacturers to component suppliers, to identify the areas of employment most difficult to recruit, and provide an important means for industry and government to tackle the skills issue. Around 19 per cent of the unfilled vacancies cited in the report are identified as ‘critical’ and having a significant impact on company operations.
January UK car registrations the best since 2005
The UK new car market saw registrations climb 2.9 per cent year-on-year in January to reach an 11-year high of 169,678 units. By comparison January 2005 saw 181,474 new cars registered.
Private and business buyers drove this growth with demand for new cars up by 8.2 per cent to 73,061 and 5.0 per cent to 6,716 units respectively, while the fleet sector declined slightly by 1.1 per cent to 89,901. The month marks the highest number of new cars registered to private buyers in January in 12 years.
LCV registrations take a break from growth in January
After a record 2015, registrations of vans in the UK more or less levelled off in January with a 4.3 per cent fall in demand compared with the same month last year, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 21,102 new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) were registered in January, making it the first month of decline since July 2015.
Automotive industry offers orphan car recycling support
SMMT members have committed to helping thousands of consumers recycle their old vehicles with a free take-back service.
Under the End of Life Vehicles Directive, when cars and vans up to 3.5-tonnes reach the end of their lives, they must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. However, while manufacturers provide this service free of charge, some motorists can face difficulties if the brand is no longer trading and has no parent company. When this happens, the car or van becomes what is known as an ‘orphan vehicle’.
