BSI has published guidance for use at the scene of motor accidents.According to the business standards company, this new standard (BS 8599-2 Motor vehicle first aid kits – Part 2: Specification for the contents of motor vehicle first aid kits) will bring existing UK regulations on first aid kits up to date.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has named Peter Lawton as Aftermarket Development Manager. After nearly 15 years as an automotive journalist and the last three years as Editor of CAT (Car and Accessory Trader) magazine, he will assume responsibility for SMMT aftermarket activities from 23 April 2014. Lawton replaces Wendy Williamson who is joining the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) as Chief Executive.
The latest generation of low rolling resistance tyres can pat themselves on the back – they have played a role in enabling the UK car parc to reach, and pass, the 2015 EU-wide average emission target of 130g/km CO2. According to the ‘New Car CO2 Report 2014’ published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) today, the average new car in the UK now emits 128.3g/km CO2 – a 3.6 per cent decrease over last year.
The cars on our roads are getting older, and there are more of them as well. According to the findings of the largest-ever census of UK car ownership carried out by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the country’s car parc rose by around 436,000 units, or 1.4 per cent, to reach a precise total of 31,917,885 cars in 2013. The ‘Motorparc’ study also identified that the average age of cars in the UK has risen by a year over the past decade; average car age is now 7.7 years old, and in 2013 there were 2.06 million cars over 12 years old on the road, 11.3 per cent more than in 2012.
Manheim’s latest monthly UK Market Analysis in 2014 shows that part-exchange values have risen again for the second month in a row, with February witnessing an all-time high of £3,216, which is a £7 increase when compared with the previous month. On the whole, average selling prices have been on a positive trajectory over the past six months, with values rising by £587 over the period. In fact, the positivity goes even further back, as average values in February 2014 are £280 higher when compared with the same period last year.
Figures from the SMMT show that the UK bus and coach market fell 12.1 per cent in February to 356 units. The purpose-built sector dropped 44.4per cent in the month, down 18.6 per cent for the year-to-date. However, the converted bus market picked up, rising 31.2 per cent in February.
The SMMT has revealed that total UK commercial vehicle registrations grew by17.5 per cent in February to 13,320 with the rolling year figure up 15.1 per cent to 330,283. Van sales drove the CV growth with a strong February performance. A 28.2 per cent rise in the month to 11,731 registrations boosted the rolling 12 months by 13.8 per cent.
February new car registrations rose 3.0 per cent to 68,736 units; this means that the UK new car market has achieved 24 consecutive months of growth, increasing 17.4 per cent over the period. The SMMT suggests that rising GDP and growing car registrations signal increasing consumer confidence and automotive retailers are looking forward to March results as expectations rise for a strong 14-plate performance.
Yesterday the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders released its commercial vehicle market registration figures for February 2014, commenting that growth during the month was powered by strength in the van segment. Total commercial vehicle registrations in the UK grew 17.5 per cent in February to 13,320, rolling 15.1 per cent year up to 330,283. A 28.2 per cent year-on-year rise in van registrations to 11,731 registrations boosted the rolling 12 months by 13.8 per cent. The Euro-6-induced dip in truck volumes continued in February but the rate of decline slowed from January’s 37 per cent drop. The 12 months to February remained 22.4 per cent higher.
Analysts are expecting growth in UK car output during 2014 and beyond as newly introduced models move to full-scale production. This all comes despite a 0.3 per cent dip in output during the January 2014 compared with January 2013. Exports are also said to be showing signs of recovery, with around 50 per cent of exports go to EU.
According to statistics published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), new car registrations in the UK rose 7.6 per cent year-on-year. Last year’s best-seller the Ford Fiesta retained the top ranking in January 2014, with 9,072 units registered during the month. Ford also occupied the number two position, with Focus registrations reaching 5,333 units, while the Vauxhall Corsa was the third best-selling car in the UK, with 4,470 units registered.
UK car producers have come out as strong supporters of Britain’s membership of the EU, and a new group has commissioned a major research study into the benefits of belonging to the trading block to underline the ramifications of a potential exit.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has announced that Wendy Williamson will become the new chief executive, taking over from Brian Spratt in July this year. Williamson held several positions in the Unipart Group of companies including that of director & general manager at Truck & Trailer Components (TTC), a Unipart subsidiary. More recently, she has been running the aftermarket section of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT).
“The motorcycle market fell 1.9 per cent in 2013 with 1,757 fewer units being sold than in 2012”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.
“Overall, we anticipated the 125cc market to revive the sales, but after a positive start to the year, sales declined by 3.5 per cent. Other sectors including the 50cc and 651-1000cc machines also saw a fall in sales in 2013.”
The latest light commercial vehicle figures released show 2013 total registrations to 327,291 units, up 14.7 per cent. Vans rose 13.1 per cent over the year registering 271,073 units, boosted by 32.5 per cent growth in December. Truck registrations totalled 56,218 units in the year, up 23 per cent with the move to Euro 6 fuelling growth as predicted.
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