Pendragon expects vehicle shortfall to spill into 2023 as profit slumps October 25, 2022 Pendragon expects current vehicle shortfalls to spill into 2023, as its profit slumped by 41 per cent. In the three months ended 30 September, the UK dealer’s underlying profit before tax was £14.7m – down on last year’s £25.1m – due to the impact of inflation and rising interest rates. Used car volumes were slumping [...]
BMW goes east moving electric Mini production from UK to China October 16, 2022 BMW has decided to move its electric Mini production from the UK to China, in what can be seen as a blow to Britain’s ambitions to become a global EV maker. According to Stefanie Wurst – who’s been at the brand’s helm since February – Mini production was moved away from its historic home in [...]
SMMT: UK automotive needs investments, not government handouts October 3, 2022 The UK automotive sector needs a renewed focus on investment, not government handouts – said industry executive Mike Hawes. According to Hawes – chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – car makers need a “competitive framework that is as competitive as many other countries with whom we trade and with [...]
UK automotive recovery threatened by soaring costs September 29, 2022 Despite reporting the fourth consecutive month of growth, the UK’s automotive recovery is threatened by increasing costs. Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that 49,901 units were built in August – 34 per cent up year-on-year but 45.9 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels. Overall output remains 13.3 [...]
Automotive industry underpaid taxes more than any sector after 143 per cent surge September 26, 2022 The automotive sector has seen the highest increase in underpaid taxes, following a 143 per cent year surge. According to financial investigation firm PfP, the amount the HMRC thinks the industry has avoided paying has gone up from £182.3m to more than £444.2m. This will lead to increased industry scrutiny over the next year. But [...]
IEA calls for global ban on petrol and diesel car sales by 2035 September 20, 2022 The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for a global ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035. In a report published today, the intergovernmental agency said that global progress on the transition to net-zero transport is falling short of Paris Agreement targets. The study revealed that electric vehicles need to increase [...]
Sigh of relief in Britain’s automotive space as new car market stabilises after months of decline September 5, 2022 New figures show this morning that months of decline in the new car market has come to a halt. Registrations of new cars increased by 1.2 per cent last month compared with August 2021, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Some 68,858 new cars were registered in the first monthly growth [...]
UK automotive industry takes another hit as new car registrations drop to worst June since 1996 July 5, 2022 Registrations of new cars fell by around 24 per cent last month compared with June 2021, according to preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this morning. This means the UK automotive industry suffered its worst June for new car sales since 1996. In fact, only around 800,000 new cars were [...]
Car industry sounds alarm bells: UK vehicle makers face staggering 50 per cent jump in energy bills June 28, 2022 British car makers face a 50 per cent increase in energy costs this year, an industry body warned this a.m. Analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) stated that the sector’s annual energy bill – which is already £50m more than its European Union rivals – will rise by £90m in 2022. [...]
Insurance giant Axa calls for clarity on self-driving cars June 16, 2022 French insurer Axa has called on the government to offer greater clarity around autonomous vehicles to support the rollout of self-driving cars. The French insurance firm called on the government to put in place laws that enable the deployment of self-driving vehicles, as it said lawmakers should work with the insurance sector to “pave the [...]