Stephen Hammond MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, used the Conservative Party Conference to set out the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for developing low-carbon technologies within the automotive sector.
In his address at SMMT’s lunch event at the conference, Hammond also acknowledged his responsibility to oversee better regulation in the industry, as well as his concern with the EU’s roadworthiness proposals.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, discussed the sector’s positions on current industry topics such as the DfT’s recently announced £500 million strategy for ultra-low emissions vehicles, and the ongoing changes to DVLA services. He also stressed the need for solidarity between industry and government in realising the automotive sector strategy.
A number of senior industry figures used SMMT’s lunch to engage with a number of Lords, MEPs and MPs. The event rounded off SMMT’s participation in party conference season, with round-table events taking place at Labour and Liberal Democrat conferences in recent weeks.
