Deliveries of new buses, coaches and minibuses reach 16-year high with 8,390 joining UK roads. Demand rises across all segments, with minibuses and double-deckers boasting strongest growth. UK still Europe’s biggest zero emission bus market, with deliveries up by more than a third in 2024. SEE BUS & COACH REGISTRATIONS BY BRAND DOWNLOAD PRESS RELEASE… Continue reading Britain’s bus market soars to 16 year high and remains Europe’s biggest zero emission buyer
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
Zero emission truck demand stagnates as overall market normalises
Heavy goods vehicle registrations fall by -2.7% in 2024 after three years of solid growth. Decline driven by falling demand for largest HGVs, with rises in box, curtain-sided and tipper trucks. Zero emission truck uptake stagnant at 0.5% of overall demand – with almost three quarters of market required to go green in next decade.… Continue reading Zero emission truck demand stagnates as overall market normalises
Back to the future for next-gen automotive leaders with chance to drive 120-year-old car
SMMT partners with British Motor Museum to give four automotive apprentices once-in-a-lifetime experience driving 1904 Thornycroft Tourer in world’s longest-running motoring event. Competition launched to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2025 and the importance of more than 4,500 automotive apprentices in roles such as R&D, engineering, manufacturing and repair. Drive reflects how far vehicle technology – and… Continue reading Back to the future for next-gen automotive leaders with chance to drive 120-year-old car
EV transition drives apprentice recruitment as industry skills up for ‘growth decade’
More than 700 new apprenticeships available among top UK automotive employers amid major investment to drive ‘green growth decade’. Exciting new opportunities on offer, ranging from design engineers and EV technicians to specialists in batteries and vehicle software. Skills England and new Growth & Skills Levy can back automotive to deliver up to £50bn growth… Continue reading EV transition drives apprentice recruitment as industry skills up for ‘growth decade’
Demand for used EVs rises to record levels as second-hand car market grows in 2024
Used car transactions grow 5.5% in 2024 after eight consecutive quarters of growth, with 7,643,180 vehicles changing hands. Pre-loved EVs boast record demand, rising 57.4% to 188,382 units and taking 2.5% of the market. Black remains top colour choice, with superminis the most popular car type. Download the used car sales report for Q4 2024… Continue reading Demand for used EVs rises to record levels as second-hand car market grows in 2024
Light commercial vehicle market declines in January
New light commercial vehicle market shrinks by -20.5% in January. Decline in demand for large and medium vans, pick-ups and 4x4s, but rise in small van uptake. Electric van deliveries up 12.4% but substantial growth needed to meet UK ambitious mandate. New 2025 outlook anticipates -1.2% market decline – with rising EV uptake still short… Continue reading Light commercial vehicle market declines in January
EV share rises despite contracting market but tax hikes threaten targets
EVs take more than a fifth of new car registrations as overall market contracts by -2.5% to 139,345 units. Slowdowns recorded by both fleet and private buyers against backdrop of weak economic confidence. Industry calls for halt to EV tax hikes as latest outlook anticipates 23.7% market share for 2025 – below government targets. SEE… Continue reading EV share rises despite contracting market but tax hikes threaten targets
Exports push CV production to best performance in 16 years
British commercial vehicle production rises 4.0% to 125,649 units in best year since 2008. Exports drive growth, up 6.6% to 82,097 units as output for UK market dips -0.8%. Sector calls for fast tracked industrial and trade strategies to keep UK manufacturing globally competitive. UK commercial vehicle (CV) production grew by 4.0% in 2024, with… Continue reading Exports push CV production to best performance in 16 years
Vehicle production dips amid EV transformation and intense market pressure
British vehicle production slips -11.8% to 905,233 units in 2024, with cars down to 779,584, as industry continues transformation to EV production. 4.0% growth in commercial vehicle production fails to offset -13.9% decline in car output. Potential to surpass one million cars and light vans in 2028 if markets improve and model launches stay on… Continue reading Vehicle production dips amid EV transformation and intense market pressure
New Members – January
27 January 2025 #SMMT News Find out below who has joined the premier automotive trade association and what they get from membership: SMMT data services Extensive market data providing key information to assist marketing and promotional activity, and future business opportunities. Developing business opportunities SMMT’s targeted events and Automotive Supplier Finder (ASF) service helps facilitate… Continue reading New Members – January