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February Registrations Down

The UK’s February new car registrations are down 14,368 units or 15.7 per cent to 77,092. However the decrease was expected due to the twice-yearly plate change, reports the SMMT with February accounting for a mere 3.5 per cent of the annual market.

Commenting on the figures, SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan, said, ‘February is traditionally a slow month as new car buyers and the motor industry prepare for the surge that accompanies the March plate change. After last year’s significant growth in the first quarter, we expect March registrations to fall by around six per cent. While this is lower than last year’s record total, it still represents a new car market in good shape.’

7th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Vehicle Production Slips

UK car production fell 3.7 per cent or 5,286 units in January 2005, reports the SMMT. At the same time output for the home market climbed 4.3 per cent. However, production for export markets fell by 7.5 per cent, compared to a growth of 12.4 per cent a year ago.

28th February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Record UK CV Registrations – Car Numbers Drop

January’s UK commercial vehicle rolling year total was the highest ever, according to the latest figures released by the SMMT. The numbers show that the rolling total stands at 391,070, up 7.6 per cent. The year-on-year figure also shows improvement, having grown 4.6 per cent compared with 2004.

7th February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Cars Produced for Export Hit Record Total in 2004

The number of cars produced for export hit a record level last year, rising three per cent to 1,179,753 units, says the Office for National Statistics. However production for the UK market fell 9.1 per cent bringing last year’s total to 467,020 units, compared to 513,799 in 2003.

More than seven out of every 10 cars made in the UK are now destined for export markets, says the SMMT, adding that output for export markets rose for the third year in a row.

25th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Growth in CV assembly in 2004

Commercial vehicle output in the UK rose 10.8 per cent in 2004 according to provisional data released by the Office for National Statistics. However CVs produced for the home market fell 17.2 per cent for the three months to December because of a focus on meeting European demand.

“The 2004 figures show UK commercial production figures over 10 per cent up on the previous year,” said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. “Last year was a record breaker for CV registrations in the UK and it is encouraging to see production climbing too. European demand has helped export figures increase by 25 per cent and new UK product developments will help keep those figures up. It’s great to have so much good news from the CV sector.”

25th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Silverstone Withdraws from Motor Show

The Silverstone motor circuit has pulled out of the running to host the British International Motor Show. The SMMT confirmed the racetrack had withdrawn leaving three major venues – the Birmingham NEC, Earls Court in London and the Docklands Excel centre — pitching for the 2006 exhibition. An SMMT spokesman said a final decision on the show’s future location would be made in February.

24th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Motor Industry Awarded for ABS

The motor industry has been presented with What Car? magazine’s 2005 readers award, for the voluntary fitting of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) as standard. Christopher Macgowan, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, collected the award yesterday on behalf of the industry.

Readers voted for initiatives delivered in the past year that made their lives safer, easier or cheaper. The magazine’s editor David Motton said: “Previously, buyers were more likely to spend money on optional extras such as alloy wheels or air-con rather than ABS. Now they no longer have to make that choice and lives will be saved as a result.”

21st January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

SMMT Publication Launched

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has launched its annual publication “Motor Industry Of Great Britain – 2004 World Automotive Statistics”.

At nearly 500 pages, the report contains its usual comprehensive, in-depth examination of various aspects of the market, including detailed analysis of car and other vehicle sales. And not just vehicles, as the report contains details of numerous components, including tyres.

12th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

2004 Car Registrations Remain Flat

In 2004 new car registrations in the UK totalled 2,567,269 units, 0.5 per cent down compared with 2003’s figures. During the same period the number of units manufactured with diesel engines increased 18.5 per cent totalling 835,334 units. Diesel cars now occupy a record 32.5 per cent of the market. Registrations for the month December dipped 7.1 per cent to 144,353 units from 155,452.

10th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Record Annual CV Registrations

Commercial vehicle registrations hit an all time high last year with a record level of 389, 923 units, a figure that was up some 9.5 per cent. The SMMT also recorded the highest ever December CV registrations at 28,470.

According to the society growth remained concentrated in LCVs, particularly medium vans. 24,021 light commercial vehicles were registered in December, with a total of 329,599 units recorded for the year.

10th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Car Production Rises in November

According to provisional output data released by the Office for National Statistics the total UK car production rose 4.5 per cent in November and has reached its highest November output since 2000. “This performance demonstrates the resilience of UK car production since the period of restructuring at the turn of the decade. Our nine volume manufacturers are now on track to produce 1.65 million cars in 2004 and similar volumes in 2005,” commented SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan these figures published just before Christmas. “Growth 2004 has largely focused on production for export, demonstrating the value and strength of UK manufacturing in a competitive global market. Seven out of every 10 cars made in the UK are destined for export and we expect this trend to continue in 2005,” he added. The output volume of commercial vehicles was up six per cent in November 2004 with an export growth up 25 per cent for the month, and 27.3 per cent over year-to-November respectively. “The recovery in CV demand throughout Europe has had a positive effect on UK production facilities. They have clearly been up to the challenge, delivering state-of-the-art vehicles throughout the EU. CVs produced for home markets remain broadly stable compared to 2003, reflecting the use of the UK as a positive outlet for new home produced vans and trucks. We still expect to meet the 2004 forecast for 210,000 units manufactured in the UK,” said Christopher Macgowan.

3rd January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

CBI Names New Trade Association Council Chairman

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan is to be the next chairman of the CBI Trade Association Council. Mr Macgowan will serve a one-year term of office and replace the previous chair of the council, Moira McMillan, chief executive of the British Coatings Federation.

Commenting on his recent appointment, Christopher Macgowan said: “I am immensely proud to become the next chairman of the Trade Association Council. It represents the great strength of UK trade associations and I look forward to making sure our collective voice is heard within the business environment. The motor industry is a leader in many areas and we have a vital role to play in the UK economy. I hope my tenure as chairman of the Council will further enhance our reputation while benefiting all.”

The Trade Association Council is made up of the UK’s top 20 trade associations in the CBI. It meets four times a year to contribute to policy work being undertaken by the CBI, and to identify and consider issues of common interest to the heads of major trade sector bodies.

The Council is a cross-sectoral forum spearheading the representation of trade associations within CBI membership. It meets quarterly with Digby Jones, CBI director-general, government and economic organisations to consider a range of policy issues as part of the CBI’s consultation process which helps inform and drive the wider business agenda.

13th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

November Car Registrations Up

According to figures released by the SMMT, car registrations went up 172,094 units (1.8 per cent) in November, leading to confidence that by the end of the year 2004 will be a growth year. This is exemplified in the fact that year-to-date figures are only 682 units behind the 2003 level. In order for 2004 to be a record year only 156,135 cars need to be registered. Commenting on the announcement, SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan said: “November’s new car market was the second largest on record, boosting registrations towards a fourth consecutive record annual total. While the December market is difficult to predict, 156,135 new cars would see another record total. With Christmas coming, it remains to be seen if enough people have a new car on their gift list.”

13th December 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Car Production Slows While CV Production Grows

The SMMT is reporting that in the first 10 months of 2004 UK new car production has dropped one per cent, while production for export has risen 3.5 per cent in the same space of time. Octobers output in isolation reveals a decrease in production levels of 11.9 per cent, according to provisional data released by the office of national statistics.

“Despite a dip in October car production, levels over the year to October show that we remain on a par with last year. UK automotive manufacturing has a bright future. SMMT’s second annual issues survey of senior executives, to be published at the SMMT Annual Dinner, will show that we have much to be proud of. With the right skills in the workforce, an increase in R&D and a cautious approach to the introduction of new regulation by government, the industry has a very positive future,” commented SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan.

At the same time the SMMT reports that commercial vehicle (CV) production went up 11.3 per cent in October and 14 per cent year-to-date. CV export production levels rose by 27.5 per cent over the year to October. Rolling 12 month totals to October show that production is up 25,228 units to 210,322.

“The growth in commercial vehicle assembly remains robust. Over the most recent three months to October, production has risen 21.4 per cent, with 38.2 per cent for the export market. UK plants are keyed-in to a firm revival in demand for vans and trucks in the rest of the EC. Annual volume has now topped 210,000 units and with two months to go to complete the calendar year, it will probably nudge further ahead,” added Mr Macgowan.

29th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

GEA Supports UK Automotive Conference

The Garage Equipment Association has decided to support the Automotive Conference to be held at next year’s combined CVS and ATS show. Chief executive John Nelson explained his decision: “I firmly believe it is important to have events that the entire industry can get behind. There have been proposals for splinter events, but there seems to be no real demand for them. Our members want to be involved with events that maximise the chance to do business and we believe this is a step in the right direction.”

10th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors