SMMT today published the latest commercial vehicle (CV) production figures for the UK with 2,669 new buses, taxis, trucks and vans leaving the factory lines in April – a decline of -68.6% on last year. It comes as the later Easter, closure of a van factory at the end of March, and restructuring for new… Continue reading CV output declines in April
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
Five minutes with… Jason Chamberlain, Chief Revenue Officer at directtyre.com
Preventative tyre management is central to your offer at DTM. What are the key challenges to maximising both safety and efficiency? The biggest challenge is ensuring consistent execution across varied fleets and operational environments. Preventative tyre management isn’t just about reacting to wear, it requires a proactive, integrated approach that includes timely inspections, data analysis,… Continue reading Five minutes with… Jason Chamberlain, Chief Revenue Officer at directtyre.com
Why truck drivers’ mental health is key to our industry, economy and road safety
Truck drivers spend hours alone in a cab. Often, they are required to stay overnight in that cab on long-haul journeys and the feeling of isolation in an industry that relies internal resilience for a job that demands a fairly solitary existence, has inevitable consequences. Men’s Health Week 2025 takes place in the UK from 9-15… Continue reading Why truck drivers’ mental health is key to our industry, economy and road safety
£80m freight distribution hub set for Leicestershire
A state-of-the-art freight distribution hub is set to come to Leicestershire following a lease agreement by leading logistic network Pall-Ex and commercial property developer Barberry. Pall-Ex’s new Centre of Excellence will pave the way for construction on a site that will cover 408,000sq ft, with an additional 100,000sq ft canopy, on a 35-acre site. The… Continue reading £80m freight distribution hub set for Leicestershire
Oxa and Bradshaw EV partner for self-driving vehicles
Automated vehicle software developer Oxa and vehicle maker Bradshaw EV have announced a partnership to deliver electric automated vehicles to businesses that need on-site transportation. Oxa will provide the software and Bradshaw will supply the vehicles. The Oxas Driver software will be integrated onto two vehicles offered by Bradshaw EV: the T800 8-tonne tow tractor… Continue reading Oxa and Bradshaw EV partner for self-driving vehicles
Europe remains our largest trading partner
We share billions of pounds’ worth of trade with the EU, which is by far our largest and closest automotive partner, so progress at this week’s UK-EU Summit towards a deeper strategic partnership is significant – especially amid the broader geopolitical headwinds. Particularly welcome was the agreement to protect steel from tariffs and the intention… Continue reading Europe remains our largest trading partner
UK’s buses and trucks getting greener
Last week SMMT published its new heavy vehicle registration data for the first quarter of 2025 – showing the transition to zero emission transport is growing in the bus and HGV sectors – albeit at very different paces. For the market as a whole, more than 2,530 new buses, coaches and minibuses joined UK roads,… Continue reading UK’s buses and trucks getting greener
New leadership for Automotive Council
The Automotive Council has today announced the appointment of a new industry leader to drive the future success of the UK’s world-famous automotive sector. Steve Marsh, Executive Director of Vehicle Programmes at JLR, becomes Industry Co-chair, accompanying Ministerial Co-chair Sarah Jones MP, Minister of State at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero and… Continue reading New leadership for Automotive Council
Five minutes with… Kevin Griffin, Managing Director of KGM Motors UK
You launched the Rexton Commercial Vehicle at the CV Show. What was the reaction? The launch of Rexton Commercial Vehicle at the CV Show was unanimously positive, and it attracted a wide range of fleet operators, from SMEs to large utility companies. The feedback from fleet managers is that there is a definite requirement for… Continue reading Five minutes with… Kevin Griffin, Managing Director of KGM Motors UK
Getting the new HGV market ready for zero emissions
Ten years may seem like a long way off but for new HGV and LCV markets that are, by and large, required to go zero emission within the next decade, time is short. Indeed, with every new van and truck weighing up to 26 tonnes required to be zero emission from 2035, and the rest… Continue reading Getting the new HGV market ready for zero emissions