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UK Vehicle Makers Looking for Home Grown Supply Chain

The majority of volume car manufacturers with UK plants are showing strong interest in sourcing more locally-built components. That’s the view of the latest independent research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which highlights the tactical advantages of UK component sourcing including: benefiting from a favourable exchange rate; minimising the vulnerabilities and logistical costs associated with an extended supply chain; and the UK’s flexible labour force and positive industrial relations as reasons for looking for supply options within the UK.

The report recognised the significant opportunities arising from the transition to a low carbon economy, but also identified some conventional technologies that manufacturers would like to source more of in the UK. This list included what are described as “basic automotive components” such as: alloy wheels, alternators and starter motors, brake components, castings and forgings, fasteners, nuts and bolts, plastic mouldings in general, large stampings, sheet steel and aluminium, transmission components and wring harnesses. So called high technology areas included: electronic control units (ECUs) in general, satellite navigation systems, advanced air conditioning and safety systems especially airbags.

9th February 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Car Registrations Total Less than 2 million in 2009

Despite the positive impact of the scrappage scheme the recession led to the lowest annual sales in the new car industry for almost fifteen years. According to data released by the SMMT, full year registrations were down 6.4 per cent to 1,994,999 units in 2009, the lowest level since 1995. New car registrations rose in December by 38.9 per cent to 150,936 units.

What’s worse is that the situation would have ben dire had it not have been for the scrappage scheme backed by both manufacturers and the government. Since its introduction, the scrappage scheme has accounted for over a fifth of all new car registrations and is estimated to represent 20.8 per cent of the December market.

7th January 2010/by Tyrepress Editors

New Car Registrations Continue to Grow in November

New car registrations in Europe EU27 + EFTA) rose 26.6 per cent to 1,182,082 in November 2009, a far cry from the 25.8 per cent drop in the same month last year. Western Europe’s increase of 30.6 per cent contrasted with a 16.7 per cent drop experienced by the new EU Member States and reflects the impact of fleet renewal schemes in a number of main Western European markets. The UK market, for instance, shot up 57.6 per cent to 158,082 new registrations in November – although, admittedly, November 2008 was the month of steepest decline during the 15-month run of falling volumes between May 2008 and June 2009. Scrappage accounted for 21.6 per cent of all new car registrations during the month.

16th December 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Slowdown in UK Car Production Decline Seen in October

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders report a total of 114,335 new vehicles produced in the UK in October, a 10.1 per cent year-on-year decline. Of this total, 106,400 passenger cars were manufactured, 6.7 per cent less than a year ago, and 7,935 commercial vehicles, a 39.5 per cent decrease compared with October 2008. These figures represent a slowdown in the pace of car output decline, with the month’s shortfall the smallest this year. Commercial vehicle output, however, continues to decline sharply.

23rd November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

SMMT Welcomes Government Support For Automotive Industry

Government has committed to create an Automotive Council to strengthen engagement with industry and set a long-term plan for its development. This follows its endorsements of the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team's (NAIGT) recommendations on the development of the sector over the next 20 years. NAIGT, consisting of a cross-industry group of senior executives, produced the report earlier this year setting out a framework for industry development to ensure it maximises the opportunities presented by the transition to a low carbon agenda, and to promote the UK as a key player in a global industry.

12th November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

October New Car Registration up 32%

October new car registration shot up 32 per cent in October to 168,942. According to figures released today the increase is the best gain so far in 2009. Private purchase shot up between September and October, prompting the SMMT to report that the latest numbers are the result of the fourth month of sustained growth coming from the Scrappage Incentive Scheme (SIS).

Looking at the figures broken down by brand, it is clear that Vauxhall and Ford remain outright market leaders. However, there is continued progress amongst the once smaller Korean brands. To put this into perspective, in October Hyundai (7179 registrations) out-sold Fiat (6570) and Kia (5633) sold more cars than Honda (4490).

5th November 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

SMMT Calls for Extension to Scrappage Scheme

The SMMT has written to business secretary Lord Mandelson asking for an extension to the scrappage scheme, which is otherwise predicted to end in November. SMMT is asking for the scheme to be extended through to the original closing date of the end of February 2010, to counter the likely negative impacts of a return to the higher rate of VAT and the introduction of the first year VED rates. After 15 months of consecutive decline in the new car market, the scrappage incentive scheme has reignited demand, says the SMMT, resulting in year-on-year growth in July and August and a dramatic cut in the rate of decline in vehicle production.

Since it began over 100,000 new vehicles have been registered under the scrappage scheme, with an order bank of a further 100,000 suggesting the scheme will run out of funding in late October/early November. 76 per cent of cars bought under the scrappage scheme were classified in the Mini or Supermini segments.

SMMT now forecasts the new car market to end 2009 at 1.85 million units, above pre-scrappage forecasts but well below the 2.47 million pre-recession five year average. One fifth of the cars registered were either built in the UK or have an engine produced here.

18th September 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

“Bangers for Cash” Slows Falling UK Car Sales

While it seems that nothing short of a miraculous jump in car sales would persuade some that the UK government’s scrappage scheme could be described as a success, June’s new car registrations have shown that there has at least been some positive impact from the action taken, with the figure continuing to fall, but at its lowest rate in 12 months. 176,264 new cars were registered in the month, meaning a fall of 15.7 per cent in comparison with last year’s sixth month; a figure which may leave some perplexed as to why this is such a positive sign. However, there is a strong case for adding the word “only” to the beginning of that figure, seeing as this is the lowest dip into negative figures since July 2008 and that year-to-date demand has fallen proportionally two-thirds as much again, at 25.9 per cent. Therefore it would be churlish to say the scheme has had negligible impact, especially since this slowing of the downward spiral has taken into account only the first few weeks of the scheme’s inception.

6th July 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Production Figures Show Benefit of Scrappage Schemes

Car production in the UK dropped 43.0 per cent to 67,754 units during May, the smallest year on year decline during 2009 so far. And while the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders comments that the outlook remains difficult, the trade association believes positive signs are evident as manufacturers restart production following the implementation of scrappage schemes. Commercial vehicle production, on the other hand, plummeted 73.5 per cent to 4,692 units – the largest monthly drop this year.

“Prompt action by manufacturers to realign supply with demand has been painful, but was necessary,” stated SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. “There is now a direct link between demand in the marketplace and production volumes,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “The scrappage schemes in place across Europe are now beginning to have a positive impact, although the full benefits will take a little longer to flow down to companies at all levels in the supply chain.

22nd June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Dates Announced for New Look CV Show

Following several weeks’ consultation with transport sector suppliers, the Commercial Vehicle Show Partnership has announced dates for the next “Commercial Vehicle Operator Show”. The exhibition will be held between April 13 and 15, 2010 at the Birmingham NEC.

The event, reports the organiser, will enable exhibitors to present the widest possible range of products and services used in the day to day running of commercial vehicles of all sizes and types, with a particular accent on environmental impact, improved efficiency and profitability. The following year (2011) will see the first of a new Commercial Vehicle Show series.

10th June 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika Shanghai

Automechanika Shanghai, reputedly Asia’s largest automotive trade fair and the organiser’s second largest Automechanika fair, will take place from 9 – 11 December 2009 at Shanghai New International Expo Centre. This fifth edition of the fair is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO). In line with the product profile of the global Automechanika brand, the event will encompass a broad spectrum of products and services for the automotive original equipment and aftermarket. Products on offer cover the sectors Parts & Systems, Accessories & Tuning, Repair & Maintenance, IT & Management to Service Station & Car Wash.

In 2008 Automechanika Shanghai had a record number of 1,982 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions showcasing their products in eight halls covering 92,000 square metres. The show attracted more than 30,800 visitors from 104 countries and regions and half of the buyers had full purchasing authority. The number of exhibitors and visitors were up to 59 per cent and 41 per cent respectively.

20th May 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

European Car Sales Point to Success of Scrappage Schemes

A number of European car markets are fairing better on the back of cash incentives given for the scrapping of old vehicles when purchasing a new one. Governments in Germany, France, Italy and Spain are offering have already commenced such programmes, and the results so far are positive: In Germany, more than 848,000 people have signed up for the country’s “Abwrackprämie”, or scrapping premium with February car sales increasing 21 per cent, and in March French car registrations rose 8.1 per cent year-on-year to 204,095.

2nd April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

TIF: UK Tyre Replacement Market Over 34-35 million Units

The Tyre Industry Federation has announced that its estimates put the UK replacement car tyre market at well over 30 million units. The new figures, which include 4×4 and light van tyres, represent the first time an official estimate has been as high as 30 million units annually. The TIF data is based on figures contributed by the tyre manufacturer associations and the Tyre Wholesalers Group of the National Tyre Distributors Association. These indicate that sales into the UK market totalled 29.7 million units in 2007, before imports, retreads and part-worn tyres.

20th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Depressing Start to 2009 UK Car Market

Figures for January UK car sales, released by the SMMT, make gloomy reading; new registrations were 30.9 per cent down to 112,087 units. And the outlook is equally bleak, with the SMMT predicting a decline in 2009 of over 19 per cent to 1.72 million units. This is 410,000 fewer than 2008 and 685,000 units less than 2007.

SMMT chief executive called on the Government to take steps to stimulate demand, saying: “A number of EU member states have launched scrappage incentive schemes, which have the benefit of boosting consumer confidence and delivering significant environmental improvements. The UK motor industry is urging UK Government to introduce a similar scheme and help sustain jobs and businesses throughout the sector.”

5th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

December Figures Show Marked Drop in UK Vehicle Production

December vehicle production figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT) show a sharp drop in UK production of both passenger and commercial vehicles. During the month a total of 58,823 passenger cars were produced in the UK, a 47.5 per cent decrease on the previous year’s December production. Just 6,290 commercial vehicles were manufactured in the UK during December, representing a drop of 56.7 per cent.

23rd January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors