Aston Martin to halt car production at both factories

Aston Martin Move brings luxury carmaker into line with other vehicle manufacturers during coronavirus lockdown Aston Martin’s first SUV, the DBX, inside their factory in St Athan in south Wales. Photograph: Aston Martin/PA Aston Martin Lagonda plans to stop production at its two factories on Wednesday because of the coronavirus lockdown, bringing the struggling luxury… Continue reading Aston Martin to halt car production at both factories

Manufacturers work on blueprint to create 30,000 NHS ventilators

Manufacturing sector Strict criteria for coronavirus equipment includes reliability, ease of use and backup battery Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Medical ventilators are constructed at the OES medical supply company in Witney, UK. Photograph: Neil Hall/EPA The government has asked manufacturers including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Nissan and JCB to help produce up… Continue reading Manufacturers work on blueprint to create 30,000 NHS ventilators

Every major UK and European carmaker to stop or cut production

Automotive industry As disruption from Covid-19 spreads, only some low-volume producers will remain open Coronavirus – latest updates All our coronavirus coverage Volvo announced it was closing its last remaining high-volume plant in Europe on 26 March. Photograph: Jonas Ekstromer/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty Images Every major carmaker in the UK and Europe is suspending or cutting… Continue reading Every major UK and European carmaker to stop or cut production

Detroit automakers shut down plants but workers may return to build ventilators

Detroit Plants close but United Auto Workers union says most workers likely to return amid shortage due to coronavirus pandemic Construction workers leave FCA Chrysler Warren Truck Assembly after the Detroit three automakers have agreed to UAW demands to shut down all North America plants as a precaution against coronavirus. Photograph: Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty… Continue reading Detroit automakers shut down plants but workers may return to build ventilators

BMW and Toyota suspend European operations

Automotive industry Plants in Oxfordshire and Derbyshire affected as coronavirus affects carmakers Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage BMW makes Minis at its Cowley plant near Oxford. Photograph: Tolga Akmen/AFP/Getty Images BMW and Toyota have joined a rapidly lengthening list of carmakers shutting down European operations, affecting UK plants in Oxfordshire and… Continue reading BMW and Toyota suspend European operations

Nissan shuts Sunderland factory as coronavirus disrupts industry

Nissan Carmakers including Ford and VW cite global economic turmoil as production is suspended at European plants Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Work at Nissan’s Sunderland facility will cease. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Nissan has shuttered its Sunderland factory, Britain’s biggest car plant, joining a number of automotive firms and aerospace giant… Continue reading Nissan shuts Sunderland factory as coronavirus disrupts industry

UK manufacturers to regear factories to build ventilators for NHS

Manufacturing sector Vauxhall and Airbus to 3D-print parts in ‘wartime’ drive to make 20,000 ventilators within weeks Coronavirus – latest updates See all our coronavirus coverage Car production at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port factory was due to shut down this month because of coronavirus, so it will be free to make ventilators. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty UK manufacturers… Continue reading UK manufacturers to regear factories to build ventilators for NHS

Government to revamp smart motorways after safety concerns

Transport policy Measures include abolition of dynamic hard shoulders and increase in refuge areas The overhaul comes after the deaths of at least 38 people on stretches of smart motorways in the past five years. Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA An 18-point plan to tackle the safety of smart motorways has been announced by the UK government,… Continue reading Government to revamp smart motorways after safety concerns

Nissan presses ahead with £400m Qashqai plan for Sunderland

Nissan Japanese carmaker unveils £52m production press amid post-Brexit tariff warnings The production line at Nissan’s Sunderland factory. The third-generation Qashqai model is due to be delivered in 2021. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA Media Nissan is pushing ahead with its £400m plan to build its new Qashqai sports utility vehicle at its Sunderland factory, despite the… Continue reading Nissan presses ahead with £400m Qashqai plan for Sunderland

British Gas and VW unveil three-year electric vehicle deal

Volkswagen (VW) Engineers to install fastest home car-charger available in exclusive one-stop package Volkswagen’s deal with British Gas could make it easier for motorists to switch to an electric vehicle. Photograph: Uwe Meinhold/EPA British Gas has teamed up with Volkswagen to accelerate the rollout of its electric vehicles (EV) across UK roads by helping drivers… Continue reading British Gas and VW unveil three-year electric vehicle deal