Volvo Trucks has joined forces with Middlesex University to launch the commercial vehicle industry’s first degree-level Truck Sales Apprenticeship, with the inaugural intake of apprentices set to commence this September. The initiative has been pioneered by Hannah Mayo, Director of New Vehicle Sales for Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland in a new approach to broaden… Continue reading ‘Degree-level’ sales apprenticeship launched by Volvo Trucks
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
End of the road for gas-powered trucks in the UK?
With the UK’s 2040 end-of-sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs on the horizon, the commercial vehicle sector is rightly planning ahead for a future of battery electric and hydrogen trucks. With decarbonisation is an increasingly important feature of the strategic plans for truck companies, gas power is still relevant as a useful transitional fuel to… Continue reading End of the road for gas-powered trucks in the UK?
Logistics company’s London electric truck trial
Intermodal transport and supply chain logistics provider, ECS, is deploying electric trucks in London for a 16-month first-and-last-mile trial. ECS is carrying out the trial using electric trucks in a bid to cut emissions and support a rail-focused logistics strategy. The aim is to not only reduce CO2 emissions but also make the supply chain… Continue reading Logistics company’s London electric truck trial
SMMT International Update July 2025
Trade and industrial strategies champion UK Automotive Simon Winterbottom, International Manager, shares about upcoming activities for the July edition of the SMMT International Update. The publication last week of the UK’s Trade Strategy represents a huge opportunity for British automotive businesses to grow internationally – growth that could be worth billions to our economy – with a… Continue reading SMMT International Update July 2025
SMMT statement on UK-US trade deal kicking into gear
The implementation of the new trading agreement between the UK and US is good news for US customers and a huge relief for the UK automotive companies that export to this critically important market. It immediately slashes the punitive tariffs that brought the US export market to a standstill and threatened the viability of some… Continue reading SMMT statement on UK-US trade deal kicking into gear
A landmark week for UK industry
The publication of an Industrial Strategy on Monday – one with automotive at its heart – is the policy framework the sector has long-fought for and government has now addressed. Such a strategy – long-term, cross-Government and aligned to a trade strategy (itself published Monday) is the basis on which the UK automotive sector can… Continue reading A landmark week for UK industry
UK vehicle production constraints continue in May
New car and commercial vehicle production volumes fall, by -32.8% as multiple challenges beset industry. US share of exports shrinks prior to government securing new agreement with biggest single market. Industry welcomes Industrial Strategy as crucial foundation for recovery, with rapid implementation and action on energy costs critical to restoring competitive edge. File download UK… Continue reading UK vehicle production constraints continue in May
May 2025 new car pre-registration figures
SMMT released figures for May pre-registrations in the UK new car market. The data shows the number of cars disposed of by vehicle manufacturers in May 2025 that were defined as pre-registrations. The Supply of New Cars Order 2000 requires motor manufacturers to publish the number of pre-registered cars supplied and the gross income received… Continue reading May 2025 new car pre-registration figures
Five minutes with… Andrew Whitehead, CEO, Protean
In-wheel electric motors appear to be playing catch-up as a technology for the LCV industry. What are the benefits against more conventional electric powertrains? In-wheel motors make better EVs. The technology offers a fundamentally different approach to electrification – removing the need for gearboxes, driveshafts and differentials by integrating the motor directly into the wheel… Continue reading Five minutes with… Andrew Whitehead, CEO, Protean
SMMT response to Government’s Trade Strategy
UK Automotive is a trade powerhouse, generating imports and exports worth £108 billion a year and typically Britain’s biggest exporter of manufactured goods. Free and fair trade is fundamental to our success and recent agreements with India, the US and, particularly, the EU signal that intention. Today’s trade strategy, aligned to the industrial strategy announced… Continue reading SMMT response to Government’s Trade Strategy