New car registrations fall -39.5% as showroom closures stifle demand

Just 90,249 new cars registered in January – the worst start to a year since 1970 despite click and collect preventing greater fall New emissions figures show 2020 delivered the cleanest vehicles in history as average CO2 emissions fell by -11.8% on previous year, but more to do to deliver net zero Industry needs showrooms… Continue reading New car registrations fall -39.5% as showroom closures stifle demand

British engine production falls -27.0% in 2020 as pandemic hits output

28 January 2021 #SMMT News #UK Manufacturing UK engine manufacturing down -27.0% in 2020 to just over 1.8 million units. Production for domestic and overseas markets falls -23.4% and -29.1% respectively. December saw production fall -7.9% to round off bleak year for sector. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, 2020 was a tough year for… Continue reading British engine production falls -27.0% in 2020 as pandemic hits output

Coronavirus pandemic sends UK commercial vehicle production down -15.5% in 2020

British commercial vehicle production falls -15.5% in 2020 to just 66,116 units, the lowest annual output since 1933.1 Output for overseas markets down -17.8%, while production for the UK drops -12.2%. More than half (57.3%) of all British-built CVs destined for global markets, underlying the importance of frictionless trade. UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing declined… Continue reading Coronavirus pandemic sends UK commercial vehicle production down -15.5% in 2020

UK car production down -29.3% as coronavirus slams brakes on sector

UK car manufacturing output falls -29.3% in 2020 to 920,928 units, the lowest total since 1984. Production for UK and overseas markets declines -30.4% and -29.1% but more than eight in 10 cars still head abroad. Latest independent outlook forecasts car output to reach one million units in 2021, but much depends on Covid recovery,… Continue reading UK car production down -29.3% as coronavirus slams brakes on sector

SMMT reaction to announcement on building additional battery production

22 January 2021 #SMMT News SMMT reaction to announcement on building additional battery production in the UK Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said The news that the UK will be home to additional battery production in the North East is hugely positive and an essential step in the transformation of the automotive sector to electric… Continue reading SMMT reaction to announcement on building additional battery production

UK new van market finishes year down -20.0%

UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations end 2020 down -20.0%, some 73,121 units fewer than last year. Sector growth slowed at the end of a turbulent year, with registrations falling -1.0% in December. 292,657 of the latest, cleanest models hit UK roads in 2020 to renew and expand existing fleets. SEE LCV REGISTRATIONS BY… Continue reading UK new van market finishes year down -20.0%

UK automotive looks to green recovery strategy after -29.4% fall in new car registrations in 2020

UK annual new car registrations drop to 1.63 million in toughest year for market since 1992. Covid-enforced showroom closures drive overall demand down -29.4% – a 680,076-unit decline equivalent to £20.4bn in lost turnover. Best-ever year for electric cars with battery and plug-in hybrid vehicles market share up to 10.7%. Investment in charging infrastructure and… Continue reading UK automotive looks to green recovery strategy after -29.4% fall in new car registrations in 2020

SMMT calls for immediate ratification and implementation of draft UK-EU Trade & Cooperation Agreement

Draft UK-EU agreement avoids ‘no deal’ disaster for UK automotive industry. Sector welcomes supportive Rules of Origin with phase-in periods and commitment to reduce customs burdens, and calls for immediate ratification. With just hours from ratification to implementation, government should provide specific additional phase-in periods for administration requirements. Investment in UK’s electrified supply chain, including… Continue reading SMMT calls for immediate ratification and implementation of draft UK-EU Trade & Cooperation Agreement

SMMT comment on the signing of a UK-Turkey trade deal

29 December 2020 #Europe #SMMT News Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: We welcome today’s agreement between Turkey and the UK to extend preferential trading terms beyond 31 December. We now await the full text of the deal to assess the impact on our future relationship given the UK will now be outside of the customs… Continue reading SMMT comment on the signing of a UK-Turkey trade deal

SMMT comment on the conclusion of a EU-UK trading agreement

24 December 2020 #Europe #SMMT News Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: We welcome today’s agreement of a new EU-UK trading agreement, which provides a platform for our future relationship. We await the details to ensure this deal works for all automotive goods and technologies, including specifics on rules of origin and future regulatory co-operation. A… Continue reading SMMT comment on the conclusion of a EU-UK trading agreement