Suffolk County Council is laying the groundwork for a transformative shift in public transport by exploring a possible integration of self-driving shuttle services into its regional network. The local authority has secured £75,000 in government funding to investigate how connected and automated mobility (CAM) could enhance mobility, sustainability, and inclusivity across the county. The ADASTRA… Continue reading Suffolk explores self-driving shuttle network as blueprint
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
Logistics and transport managers bogged down in costly manual tasks, says study
Almost half of transport and logistics managers spend an average of 1.7 hours per day on manual tasks – costing their employers more than £50,000 per year, according to a report by transport management solutions provider Microlise. The report, titled ‘Standing at the Crossroads: A Crucial Moment for UK Logistics’, surveyed 250 transport and logistics… Continue reading Logistics and transport managers bogged down in costly manual tasks, says study
KleanDrive to convert Renault D-Series diesel fleet to electric
KleanDrive, a pioneer in electric repowering for heavy vehicles, has today announced a new partnership with leading fleet, haulage and HGV servicing experts Welch Group. Together, the two companies will convert Renault D-Series 18-tonne rigids to fully electric power using KleanDrive’s cutting-edge modular drivetrain technology. There will be a pilot with one vehicle and the… Continue reading KleanDrive to convert Renault D-Series diesel fleet to electric
Five minutes with… Andrew French, B2B Sales Director, Michelin Tyre plc
What do you think are the major challenges for the road transport industry at the moment? Fleets are under increasing pressure to decarbonise, and whilst the uptake of alternative fuel trucks is growing, infrastructure gaps across the strategic road network, coupled with high upfront costs for some alternatives like battery electric trucks, remain major obstacles… Continue reading Five minutes with… Andrew French, B2B Sales Director, Michelin Tyre plc
A tough period for auto output – but foundations set for recovery
The global automotive sector has faced many periods of challenge over the years, but the current set of circumstances are perhaps the most acute in living memory. Economic uncertainty, low demand, structural changes and trade protectionism have all contributed to a first half decline of -11.9% in British car and commercial vehicle production. It represents the sector’s… Continue reading A tough period for auto output – but foundations set for recovery
New Members – July
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 opportunities by matching buyers to… Continue reading New Members – July
June 2025 new car pre-registration figures
SMMT released figures for June pre-registrations in the UK new car market. The data shows the number of cars disposed of by vehicle manufacturers in June 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 June 2025 new car pre-registration figures
CV volumes down -45.4% in first half of year
SMMT’s latest commercial vehicle manufacturing figures for June show output fell by -45.4% in the first half of 2025 with 31,422 vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches leaving factory lines. It is partly the result of two factory closures, as well as global economic and trade uncertainty, reflected by a sharper decline in exports, down… Continue reading CV volumes down -45.4% in first half of year
Five minutes with… Louis Morasse, Chief Designer, Flexis S.A.S
What do you think will be the next big thing for vans in terms of development in the next few years? We are already seeing the transformative impact of building vans on a true skateboard platform with deeply integrated technology; this architecture enables not just better performance and efficiency, but also entirely new design freedoms.… Continue reading Five minutes with… Louis Morasse, Chief Designer, Flexis S.A.S
Raising the bar: how MPRS will transform commercial vehicle maintenance
In an age when safety is paramount and quality service should be a given, it is somewhat surprising that a robust, UK-wide recognised standard for commercial vehicle maintenance was not in place in the 21st century. That changed on 29 April this year when the Institute of Road Transport Engineers introduced the Maintenance Provision Rating… Continue reading Raising the bar: how MPRS will transform commercial vehicle maintenance