Five years since the UK-EU TCA was signed, the UK automotive sector stands at a pivotal juncture. While Brexit has fundamentally reshaped the trading landscape, subsequent headwinds – geopolitical uncertainty, rising protectionism, tariff barriers and intensified competition in the push to decarbonise – pile further pressure on our global competitiveness. SMMT’s latest Trade Report, published… Continue reading Protecting UK-EU trade is a pressing priority
Author: SMMT_UK_Manufacturers Official News
Getting your business ahead of the game
As summer ends and the party conference season gets underway, attention is turning to the Autumn Budget to bring further clarity on the UK’s Industrial Strategy and net zero ambitions. As the latest edition of CENEX showed, momentum is growing for the heavy vehicle transformation – with the Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID)… Continue reading Getting your business ahead of the game
Five minutes with… Clive Messenger, Sales Director, KGM Motors UK
Tell us a bit about the new KGM Rexton Commercial? The Rexton Commercial is the new commercial variant of KGM’s existing Rexton SUV and delivers the comfort and technology of a premium 4×4 with the practical backbone of a van. It’s a high specification vehicle that has all-terrain capability, and offers professionals a unique combination… Continue reading Five minutes with… Clive Messenger, Sales Director, KGM Motors UK
Transaid: transforming road safety and health in Africa
Transaid is an international development organisation that has been a vital part of the road transport landscape for many years and is strongly supported by the wider industry. Founded by Save the Children, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and its Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, the charity works with communities, partners, and… Continue reading Transaid: transforming road safety and health in Africa
MPs give support to Catch the Bus Month
MPs from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for bus and coach have assembled in Westminster to show their support for the latest Catch the Bus Month campaign. Among the group was Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, Chair of the Transport Committee, and Paul Sainthouse, Managing Director at Dawsongroup, which supplied a specially branded bus for the… Continue reading MPs give support to Catch the Bus Month
DHL eCommerce UK and Evri merger secures CMA approval
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has unconditionally approved the merger of parcel delivery firm Evri with DHL eCommerce UK, the e-commerce logistics specialist of DHL Group. In 2026, DHL eCommerce UK will be rebranded as Evri Premium – a network of DHL, and it will remain a separate network that offers fast, time-sensitive… Continue reading DHL eCommerce UK and Evri merger secures CMA approval
Government urged to mandate road maintenance training for councils
The RAC and the Road Surface Treatments Association (RSTA) have written to the government, calling for them to introduce mandatory road maintenance training for councils. To coincide with Pothole Prevention Week – 8 to 14 September – the two organisations have joined forces with a view to getting councils to understand the benefits of low-cost… Continue reading Government urged to mandate road maintenance training for councils
SMMT International Update September 2025
Visiting China and the USA Matt Smith, Head of International, shares about upcoming activities for the September edition of the SMMT International Update. Over the next five weeks, SMMT will be taking member companies to the world’s two biggest vehicle producers and markets – China and the USA. Both these visits are rare opportunities to engage… Continue reading SMMT International Update September 2025
August brings strong EV shares in low volume month
The end of Summer typically brings a quieter period for the UK’s new car and LCV markets as buyers anticipate the September plate change. Given the tough economic and consumer environment that has impacted markets this year, August’s slight -2.0% decline in new car registrations – and a -13.3% fall in new LCV demand –… Continue reading August brings strong EV shares in low volume month
A quiet market month ahead of a crucial September
Today SMMT has published the light commercial vehicle registration figures for August with 14,365 new vans, pickups and 4x4s joining UK roads, down -13.3% on last year. The contraction means volumes have fallen every month this year. However, it’s difficult to draw conclusions from just August alone, as it is normally a quieter month ahead… Continue reading A quiet market month ahead of a crucial September