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
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
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
Britain in the fast lane for self-driving vehicles
SMMT, techUK, RoSPA, RoadSafe, RNIB and Motability Operations welcome government announcement to accelerate self-driving vehicle rollout. Technology could deliver £66 billion in economic benefit and 342,000 jobs by 2040. Potential to save 3,900 lives and avert 60,000 serious collisions over same period. The government’s latest measures to ensure Britain remains a world leader in the… Continue reading Britain in the fast lane for self-driving vehicles
Spending Review can renew EV ambitions
The latest SMMT data published this week shows the UK’s new car market moved in the right direction in May, with a return to overall growth and EV uptake on the rise – but bolder ambition is needed to drive the economic growth and decarbonisation the country needs. Indeed, last month’s uplift was just the… Continue reading Spending Review can renew EV ambitions
30 limited edition Volvo FH Aero trucks to go on sale
Volvo Trucks has launched its first special edition model in the UK & Ireland for five years with the Volvo FH Aero ‘Euro NCAP’ Special Edition – limited to only 30 examples. Finished in a black, yellow and gold livery, the vehicle celebrates the five star rating secured by the FH Aero in last year’s… Continue reading 30 limited edition Volvo FH Aero trucks to go on sale
Unblocking the market for the latest LCVs
Today SMMT published the UK’s latest market data for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs), showing 22,796 vans, 4x4s and pick-ups joined UK roads in May – a decline of 11.8% on the same month year. It is the market’s sixth monthly fall in a row as weak business confidence means fleets continue to hold back… Continue reading Unblocking the market for the latest LCVs