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
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
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
April 2025 new car pre-registration figures
SMMT released figures for April pre-registrations in the UK new car market. The data shows the number of cars disposed of by vehicle manufacturers in April 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 April 2025 new car pre-registration figures
Russell joins ZENFreight in real-world hydrogen and electric trials
Glasgow-based logistics company Russell is taking part in a real-world trial of hydrogen fuel-cell and electric HGVs. It is a part of a multi-year, real-world demonstration of zero emission technologies. Under the ZENFreight initiative – led by data analytics company Dynamon – it enables operators to directly compare the performance of electric and hydrogen HGVs.… Continue reading Russell joins ZENFreight in real-world hydrogen and electric trials
New 11-litre engine from Scania to be unveiled
Scania will unveil a new, lightweight 11-litre engine in June as the manufacturer promises improved performance, efficiency and greater operational flexibility. Positioned between the established 9-litre and 13-litre engine platforms, the Super 11 offers up to 7% improved fuel efficiency compared with Scania’s current 9-litre engine and is 85kg lighter than the Super 13 engine. The… Continue reading New 11-litre engine from Scania to be unveiled
SMMT response to UK-EU Summit agreement
The EU remains the UK automotive industry’s largest and closest trading partner, so the progress announced today towards a deeper strategic partnership is significant, especially given the broader geopolitical headwinds. The agreement to protect steel from tariffs and the intention to link the UK and EU carbon markets – a long-held ambition – should pave… Continue reading SMMT response to UK-EU Summit agreement
UK’s EV choice gets bigger still
The UK media has a decisive role in dispelling the myths around EVs so it was a big positive that more than 250 journalists and influencers tried out the very latest models in all their shapes and sizes at SMMT’s 45th annual Test Day this week. A vibrant line-up showed just how rapidly consumer choice is evolving, with four in… Continue reading UK’s EV choice gets bigger still