The RAC and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) have written to the government, calling for them to introduce mandatory road maintenance training for councils. To coincide with Pothole Prevention Week – 8 to 14 September – the two organisations have joined forces with a view to getting councils to understand the benefits of low-cost… Continue reading Government urged to mandate road maintenance training for councils
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
SMMT International Update September 2025
Visiting China and the USA Matt Smith, Head of International, shares about upcoming activities for the September edition of the SMMT International Update. Over the next five weeks, SMMT will be taking member companies to the world’s two biggest vehicle producers and markets – China and the USA. Both these visits are rare opportunities to engage… Continue reading SMMT International Update September 2025
August brings strong EV shares in low volume month
The end of Summer typically brings a quieter period for the UK’s new car and LCV markets as buyers anticipate the September plate change. Given the tough economic and consumer environment that has impacted markets this year, August’s slight -2.0% decline in new car registrations – and a -13.3% fall in new LCV demand –… Continue reading August brings strong EV shares in low volume month
A quiet market month ahead of a crucial September
Today SMMT has published the light commercial vehicle registration figures for August with 14,365 new vans, pickups and 4x4s joining UK roads, down -13.3% on last year. The contraction means volumes have fallen every month this year. However, it’s difficult to draw conclusions from just August alone, as it is normally a quieter month ahead… Continue reading A quiet market month ahead of a crucial September
Manfreight acquires 100 new Schmitz Cargobull reefers
Northern Ireland-based haulier Manfreight has put into service the last of an order of 100 Schmitz Cargobull S.KO Cool semi-trailers, delivering chilled and ambient goods across the UK and Ireland. Manfreight’s order comprised 60 standard semi-trailers – split equally between single and multi-temperature – and 40 ‘high cube’ reefers with single-temperature refrigeration units. The latter… Continue reading Manfreight acquires 100 new Schmitz Cargobull reefers
First Bus builds battery storage site at Hampshire depot
First Bus has built a new battery storage facility at its Hoeford depot in Hampshire that will store surplus electricity so it can be distributed back into the country’s power network at peak times. Batteries which have reached the end of their useful bus life can be removed from the company’s vehicles and used for… Continue reading First Bus builds battery storage site at Hampshire depot
Five minutes with… Richard Owens, Group Marketing Manager, Don-Bur
Describe Don-Bur’s new status as IOSH Accredited Training Provider? Don-Bur is now an IOSH Accredited Training Provider – a significant leap forward in our ongoing commitment to health and safety across our sites. This new capability allows us to deliver the IOSH ‘Managing Safely’ course internally, providing tailored training to our managers and supervisors in line with… Continue reading Five minutes with… Richard Owens, Group Marketing Manager, Don-Bur
Electric van demand doubles as overall market shrinks again
New light commercial vehicle (LCV) market contraction continues with -13.3% decline in August. Demand doubles (109.5%) for battery electric vans (BEVs), which pushes share to new high of 13.0%. Year-to-date BEV share rises to 9.1% but still far below mandated ambition of 16% for 2025, with steep ground to recover. Data download UK demand for… Continue reading Electric van demand doubles as overall market shrinks again
A brighter picture for UK car manufacturing
The latest SMMT data published yesterday shows UK car output rose for a second month in July, welcome news for a sector facing extraordinarily complex challenges. Manufacturers continue to navigate weak consumer confidence, suppressed markets and volatile trade conditions, all while investing billions in new technologies and plant upgrades, so last month’s growth is testament… Continue reading A brighter picture for UK car manufacturing
A tough July for CV output
SMMT today published the latest UK production figures for commercial vehicles with 2,879 buses, coaches, vans, taxis and trucks rolling off factory floors in July. That is -81.1% below the same month last year, reflecting plant restructuring but also a strong July 2024 performance, which saw the biggest volumes for the month in 17 years.… Continue reading A tough July for CV output