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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

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

CV Registrations Hit a High

Commercial vehicle registrations hit a record level in September with the highest monthly volume for 15 years. The rolling yearly total was 381,388 and September’s 52,230 registrations were up 8.4 per cent on last year’s corresponding figure.

The SMMT also claims that there was high demand for heavy vans. The society’s chief executive, Christopher Macgowan said: “September is a vital month in the registration calendar and the figures confirm strong demand. We expect demand to hold at similar levels over the coming months, but growth next year may ease as interest rate rises hit more consumer and business markets.”

12th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika a Success for British Automotive Suppliers

The SMMT is describing Automechanika 2004 as “another success for British exhibitors.

11th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Car Registrations Remain Flat

New car registration figures have levelled out during September.

7th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

4×4 Sales up 13 per cent

Sales of 4×4 cars have risen by 13.4 per cent this year from 98,630 to 111,846 units, according to SMMT figures. While the market for new 4×4 cars continues to rise across the UK, the latest regional numbers reveal that in London sales are lower than the national average, only up 12.7 per cent from 5,616 to 6,331 units. From January to August 5.9 per cent of new cars sold in London were 4×4 off-road vehicles compared to a national average of 6.8 per cent. The total number of London new car registrations from January to August was 106,664 units.

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, sugested that 4×4 drivers had been criticised for too long. “The idea that one in two new cars sold in London is a 4×4 is nothing but a myth. The reality is that the proportion is actually slightly lower than the national average. This is just one of the unhelpful stereotypes that are being used to berate drivers of this type of vehicle. Now we have revealed the facts about sales, perhaps we could start to have a more constructive dialogue about the kind of benefits that this type of vehicle offers new car buyers. I have invited the Mayor of London to talk to me about this but, to date, he has not been able to find time in his schedule.”

15th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Bus and Coach Registrations Down

August bus and coach registration figures reflect a general fall in demand. At 12,597 the rolling year total fell at the end of August by 2.95 per cent. The shorter term, year to date figures show a 9.7 per cent drop over eight months. The figures, released through the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), reflect the view that operators are still not spending enough on new buses to hit the government’s fleet replacement target.

In contrast with the heavier vehicles figures, the number of light bus registration increased 23.3 per cent to 1,080. Coach registrations were also up 11.1 per cent to 832 for the eight months at the end of August. The rolling total of double deck buses was 1,378, 12 per cent less than last year’s figure. In spite of the decrease August figure is actually above the 200-2002 average of 1,206. The SMMT suggests that this is due to the fleet purchases of London buses.

13th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

SMMT’s Vehement Response to Industry Committee

The Trade and Industry Select Committee report on The UK Automotive Industry in 2004, has stated that the UK is “a good venue for automotive production.” It also went on to suggest that the industry calls for consistent implementation of EU regulations and strict monitoring of EU-wide schemes for emissions trading.

There was good news for the SMMT Industry Forum and Automotive Academy, which was praised for its work in improving competitiveness and addressing the skills shortage. However, it criticised falling new car prices and the action taken to open up the market for independent service and repair outlets.

The SMMT was disappointed with the criticism and has issued a contentious response following the release of the report. Chief executive Christopher Macgowan commented: “The fundamentals of this report are good news for the industry. While the sector is not without its problems, the Committee has recognised the steps taken to address issues of competitiveness and skills through organisations like SMMT Industry Forum and the new Automotive Academy.

“By continuing to work closely with the government we can ensure that threats identified in the report, such as the cost of regulation and low levels of investment in research and development, do not erode the UK’s significant automobile production and supply base.”

10th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

ATS and CV Show on Track for Another Success

Organisers have confirmed that exhibitor space sales for the combined 2005 Automotive Trade Show and the CV Show, are already well ahead of what the 2004 figures were this time last year.

The SOE, RHA and SMMT, which comprise the CV Show Partnership, claim that the combination is attracting a lot of interest following the success of this year’s event and that over 30 per cent of ATS exhibitors have already re-booked for 2005.

Crypton Technology Group is one of those companies, which has chosen to exhibit again next year. Walt Koloska, group sales and marketing director of the company comments: “After so many years of asking for a combination of ATS and the CV Show, this year’s event proved the value of listening to the market. The Crypton Group stand is a healthy 25 per cent larger than this year and will feature technology leading kit for all vehicle types.”

According to organisers, the show, which is effectively two trade exhibitions in one, had its most successful year in 2004, with a combined total of almost 29,000 visitors and 600 exhibitors.

Robin Dickeson, spokesman for the event, added: “The event has grown in recent years, which is testimony to the fact that it is delivering real value to exhibitors and their customers. Visitors can meet and do business with a huge variety of existing and potential suppliers under one roof, in a very short space of time, something that is of enormous value in these busy times.” cma

9th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Record CV Registrations – But it’s not all good news

The SMMT has announced record commercial vehicle registrations for August. The rolling year total is 377,345, a record level measured against the 363,687 annual total in 2003. However it’s not all good news, August’s 18,199 registrations were down 5.5 per cent compared with the same period in 2003. There was also a small volume drop across most market sectors with this month’s bus and coach registrations down 17 per cent.

The society claims that year to date CV registration figures confirm record business demand for freight transport, in which the heavy van sector is still driving the figures. These figures follow “a big change in van and truck use patterns and the CV fleet over the past four years.”

Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive, said: “August’s figures confirm record breaking demand for new commercial vehicles. August saw a pause in the recent long-running growth trend, but its impact was small.” He added: “We shouldn’t read too much about future trends from August’s results as the registration plate change in September means many operators wait for the new plate and its effect on residual values. This is illustrated by the fact that September CV registrations are now about 2½ times those of August.”

As well as bus registrations decreasing August’s truck registrations were also down 4.3 per cent, with the rolling year figure at 55,768. According to the SMMT annual truck registrations are still holding close to 56,000, though August saw some “very modest slippage.” For trucks over 15t gvw registrations dipped 10.8 per cent and for those up to 15t gvw there was growth of 6.0 per cent.

In summary the SMMT believes that the near term outlook is positive, but it predicts slower growth ahead.

8th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

August New Car Market Dips

August’s new car market has dipped 4.9 per cent at 84,996 units. However, this figure remains one per cent up compared with last year’s total thus far. Another saving grace for the figures is that they are six per cent better than the five-year average of 80,221 units.

The August market is typically three per cent of year-end total compared to around 17 per cent in September. According to the SMMT since the start of the twice yearly plate change in 1999 the September market has on average accounted for 411,157 units. Industry representatives are expecting a market on par with last year’s 439,365 units, in the 430,000 to 440,000 unit range. They recognise that the new car market has started to cool and the effect of interest rate rises on consumer confidence are said to account for this.

Commenting on the August market, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “Until the industry moved to a twice yearly registration plate change, August was the month to watch. Now, its significance is dwarfed by the key September market.

“Growth that has sustained the market for the last four years has eased a little in recent months and it will be the September figures that tell us if a strong start to 2004 will bring a fourth consecutive record year.’

7th September 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Car Manufacturing and European Car Registrations Fall

In July UK car production dipped 3.8 per cent or 5500 units, but remains 1.1 per cent up over the course of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). At the same time new car registrations fell 4.6 per cent. Meanwhile diesel registrations equalled their highest ever-level occupying 32.5 per cent of the total market.

25th August 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Automotive Industry Ask for Level Playing on Emissions Trading

The UK automotive industry wants a level standard across Europe for emissions trading, the House of Lords European Union Select Committee heard last week.

SMMT representatives presented evidence to the Committee, explaining that many UK plants have already fitted advanced emission control kits and work to a higher standard than some of their continental counterparts. A further concern of the motor manufacturers society was that in some countries, automotive plants seem to be able to avoid the need to trade emissions altogether.

6th July 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Positive Predictions for Van and Truck Registration

Industry experts are predicting positive figures in UK commercial vehicle registration statistics, which are due for publication by SMMT tomorrow. Many van and truck makers claim to have experienced a continuing level of good demand and economists expect both markets to maintain their strong growth trend for the next 12 to 18 months.

5th July 2004/by Tyrepress Editors