Record engine production in 2017 as demand grows, home and abroad

British engine manufacturing rises 6.9% to all-time high of 2.7 million units in 2017.1 Home demand sees fastest growth – up 9.7%, while global demand rises to almost 1.5 million units. UK engine manufacturing now worth £8.5bn, supporting 8,000 British jobs – 3,350 in diesel engine production alone. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, This… Continue reading Record engine production in 2017 as demand grows, home and abroad

2017 UK car manufacturing declines by -3% but still second biggest output since turn of the century

1.67m cars built in the UK in 2017, a decline of -3.0% with production for domestic demand down -9.8%. Car exports remain at historically high level, down just -1.1% with 1.34m shipped worldwide – 79.9% of total production. British engine manufacturing at record-ever levels, with 2.72m produced, up 6.9% on 2016. SMMT restates need for… Continue reading 2017 UK car manufacturing declines by -3% but still second biggest output since turn of the century

Ford UAW workers will get $7,500 profit-sharing checks

But low to moderate gas prices have propelled robust sales of large pickup trucks such as the 2016 Ford F-150 pickup that improved its fuel economy from the prior generation by using aluminum body panels. (Photo: Ford Motor Company) Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday afternoon that its year-end earnings were down slightly from analyst projections due… Continue reading Ford UAW workers will get $7,500 profit-sharing checks

Jaguar Land Rover to cut production at Halewood plant

Jaguar Land Rover has announced its intention to trim Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport production, citing challenges facing the auto industry, including Brexit. The UK’s largest car manufacturer said it would adjust output at its Halewood plant on Merseyside between March and June despite a record year of sales for the company worldwide in… Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover to cut production at Halewood plant

JLR cuts Land Rover production amid diesel uncertainty

Jaguar Land Rover will cut production of some vehicles amid uncertainty over Brexit and changes to taxes on diesel cars. The company will temporarily scale back output of the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque models later this year. Last week, JLR said its global sales hit a record in 2017, but that the UK… Continue reading JLR cuts Land Rover production amid diesel uncertainty

Peugeot Citroen boss seeks to avoid further Vauxhall job losses in meeting with Union

The head of Peugeot and Citroen (PSA) has met with Vauxhall union bosses for a “frank exchange” of ideas, as the French company weighs up how it will integrate the British brand into its portfolio of companies. The Unite union’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, said the meeting with Carlos Tavares, PSA’s chief executive, was “constructive”, and Tavares repeated his… Continue reading Peugeot Citroen boss seeks to avoid further Vauxhall job losses in meeting with Union

Jaguar Land Rover to cut output due to Brexit, diesel uncertainty to hit sales

LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (TAMO.NS) will temporarily reduce production at its northern English car plant in Halewood later this year in response to weakening demand due to Brexit and tax hikes on diesel cars. Jaguar Land Rover’s sales in Britain and Europe were flat in 2017 and it expects tough… Continue reading Jaguar Land Rover to cut output due to Brexit, diesel uncertainty to hit sales

UPDATE 1-Peugeot CEO: U.K. plants uncompetitive, open to S. America alliance

(Adds background, further comments from Tavares, paragraphs 2-7) By Joseph White Jan 18 (Reuters) – Peugeot SA Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said on Thursday he planned to meet next week with the automaker’s UK unions and government officials to discuss the future of Peugeot’s Vauxhall plant, where Tavares said production costs are twice those of… Continue reading UPDATE 1-Peugeot CEO: U.K. plants uncompetitive, open to S. America alliance

Ford Cutting Loose From Cars After Years of Missing Margin Goal

Ford Motor Co., the more than century-old company that was first to make cars for the masses, is calling off its pursuit of everyman sedan buyers. The company responsible for putting the world on wheels with Henry Ford’s then-innovative assembly line will pivot away from being a full-line automaker, shrinking its passenger-car lineup and shifting… Continue reading Ford Cutting Loose From Cars After Years of Missing Margin Goal