From the construction site to last-mile delivery, the van has long been the workhorse of the UK economy. But what that van looks like, how it performs, and even who drives it is set to change dramatically over the next ten years. Electrification, digital intelligence, and a new era of operational efficiency are all reshaping… Continue reading The future of the van: what will change over the next decade?
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
Transdev rolls out new Citaro buses
Yorkshire bus operator Transdev has rolled out the first of its new £3.5 million fleet of 15 new Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid buses onto its Flyer-branded network that links Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and Otley with Leeds Bradford Airport’s expanded terminal building. The first of the new buses entered service at the start of this month on… Continue reading Transdev rolls out new Citaro buses
IVECO eDaily secures record for heaviest weight towed by an electric van
A standard all-electric IVECO eDaily 3.5 tonne van has claimed the official Guiness World Record for the ‘Heaviest weight towed by an electric van’. The 140kW rear-while drive IVECO eDaily cemented its place in the history books by towing 153.58 tonnes with Britain’s current Strongest Man, Adam Bishop, behind the wheel. With 400Nm of torque… Continue reading IVECO eDaily secures record for heaviest weight towed by an electric van
Ten new Volvo FH Aeros added to Harrison’s Transport fleet
Harrison’s Transport has taken delivery of ten new Volvo FH Aero 6×2 tractor units, specified with Globetrotter XL cabs and I-Park Cool to maximise driver comfort. Used for temperature-controlled deliveries across the UK, the FH Aeros have made a solid early impression with fuel efficiency expected to improve even further as they bed in. Lee… Continue reading Ten new Volvo FH Aeros added to Harrison’s Transport fleet
Auto plants get greener but net zero demands urgent energy grid reform
Britain’s car and commercial vehicle plants generated a record 60.3GWh of renewable electricity last year amid growing calls for urgent energy and planning reform to ensure factories can invest in green energy to produce the EVs the country needs to deliver net zero ambitions. Solar panels and wind turbines installed by vehicle manufacturers at their… Continue reading Auto plants get greener but net zero demands urgent energy grid reform
UK deal remains America’s first – and so far only – automotive trade deal
The implementation of the UK-US trade agreement this week was a landmark moment for automotive, one that brings immediate relief to many UK manufacturers for whom the US has long been a crucial export market. It also ensures American consumers can continue to buy vehicles from some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. … Continue reading UK deal remains America’s first – and so far only – automotive trade deal
Van market down every month in first half of 2025
New light commercial vehicle registrations down every month this year after -14.8% fall in June. Two consecutive months of decline in pick-up registrations following April’s double-cab tax change. Electric van demand up 52.8% in 2025 but still just half the market share mandated. Industry calls for acceleration of infrastructure rollout to encourage operators to switch. … Continue reading Van market down every month in first half of 2025
Bumper June for UK new car market as one in four buyers goes electric
New car market up 6.7% in June to 191,316 units as manufacturers use every channel to drive registrations to highest level since 2019. Battery electric car demand rises 39.1% to 47,354 units with one in four buyers going electric – but still below mandated levels. Manufacturer discounting continues to shore up EV demand with mandate bill… Continue reading Bumper June for UK new car market as one in four buyers goes electric
CV output tumbles in May
But new Industrial and Trade Strategies help boost Britain’s prospects for CV manufacturing growth The UK’s latest commercial vehicle manufacturing data published by SMMT shows a tough picture in May, with output down by -53.6% to 2,087 units – a sharp decline that reflects the impact of recent plant closures, which will continue to affect… Continue reading CV output tumbles in May
Five minutes with… Ash Armstrong, eConsultancy Manager, Daimler Truck UK
What do you think are the major challenges for the CV and truck, in particular, industry at the moment? One of the biggest challenges for operators at the moment are the pressures to decarbonise, no matter the cost. In current times – where every penny counts – we must play our part in helping our customers… Continue reading Five minutes with… Ash Armstrong, eConsultancy Manager, Daimler Truck UK