The all-new 13-metre BYD eBus B13.b, offering more than 430 miles of range and up to 78-passenger capacity, made its European debut this week. BYD unveiled its latest pure-electric intercity bus, the B13.b, for the first time in Europe at UITP Summit Hamburg. Powered by BYD’s self-developed Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery technology, the… Continue reading European debut for BYD’s new intercity eBus
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
SMMT response to UK-US trade deal
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “This is great news for the UK automotive industry, helping the sector avoid the severest level of tariffs and enabling many manufacturers to resume deliveries imminently. We wait to see the full details of the deal and how it will be administered but this will be a huge reassurance… Continue reading SMMT response to UK-US trade deal
Industry, government and consumers needed behind the wheel
The UK is blessed with one of the world’s most diverse automotive industries and few auto brands are more famous globally than our quintessentially British small volume manufacturers (SVMs). They may be small volume but their value is high, contributing an annual £5.5 billion to UK plc, driving innovation, and directly employing 15,000 people in… Continue reading Industry, government and consumers needed behind the wheel
Five minutes with… Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media & Truck Demonstration, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland
Volvo Trucks recently opened the order books for the FH Aero Euro NCAP Special Edition truck. Why did you launch the special edition and what was the reasoning behind it? When the Volvo FH Aero became the first and only long-haul truck to score five stars in the inaugural Euro NCAP truck safety test last… Continue reading Five minutes with… Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media & Truck Demonstration, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland
Driving growth through strategic connections
One of the most highly valued benefits of SMMT membership is the opportunity to build meaningful business connections and it was in full action last week with our Meet the Buyer and Meet the Van Accessories events taking place at Automechanika Birmingham (AMB). With more than 250 targeted business meetings taking place across two days,… Continue reading Driving growth through strategic connections
How close is the UK to self-driving commercial vehicles?
A road network populated by driverless vehicles transporting goods and passengers both on short and long distances offers significant potential with cost savings, increased safety and greater efficiency – an attractive proposition for the transport sector. It is a future that moved a significant step closer this week with government launching the first in a… Continue reading How close is the UK to self-driving commercial vehicles?
RED offers new electric van training course after licence derogation
Corporate driver training company RED has launched a new electric van training course as a result of government changes to licensing requirements. From June 2025, drivers with a standard UK category B licence will be able to drive electric vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnes – removing the requirement for an additional five hours of… Continue reading RED offers new electric van training course after licence derogation
BSI updates standards with world-first for hydrogen refuelling
The British Standards Institution (BSI), the UK’s national standards body, has updated its standards to accelerate the shift to zero-emission road freight – including the world’s first code of practice for refuelling sites for hydrogen-fuelled heavy-duty vehicles. The three updated standards cover infrastructure design, operational safety and workforce upskilling, have been developed by BSI in… Continue reading BSI updates standards with world-first for hydrogen refuelling
SMMT response to Comprehensive Spending Review
The automotive industry recognises the pressure on the public purse and the need to divert funding to defence and growth. Automotive can deliver that growth but it depends on both competitive conditions and consumer confidence. Some support for EVs has been made available, but more substantive measures to incentivise private consumer demand are still needed… Continue reading SMMT response to Comprehensive Spending Review
Small volume, high value: the multi-billion pound luxury and sports car manufacturers boosting Britain’s exports
New SMMT report shows UK’s world-class luxury, high-performance and niche car makers export almost £5bn in high-value products globally every year. Sector turns over £5.5bn annually, supporting a 15,000-strong workforce and backed by local supply chain supporting 60,000 additional jobs. Quintessentially British brands make everything from hypercars and luxury SUVs to the iconic London electric… Continue reading Small volume, high value: the multi-billion pound luxury and sports car manufacturers boosting Britain’s exports