SMMT News

Light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations rise by 17.3% to 47,634 units in third month of successive growth. Registrations increase across majority of segments, primarily driven by mid-size vans and 4x4s, up 66.3% and 183.4% respectively. YTD market grows 17.4% to…

New car registrations rise 18.2% during crucial ‘new plate month’. Surge in deliveries for large fleets drives eighth consecutive month of growth. Biggest month in history for battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake as overall market share stabilises. SEE CAR REGISTRATIONS…

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: Automotive is on track to deliver zero emission motoring, so we welcome this long-awaited consultation on a watershed regulation for the UK new car and van market. We want regulation that gives consumers choice and…

British CV production falls -21.6% to 6,491 units after 11 months of consecutive growth in 2022, excluding December, and strong January performance. Export volumes drop by -18.6%, while output for the UK declines by -24.7% as supply chain constraints affect…

British car manufacturing output rises 13.1% in February to 69,707 units. Volumes up for both home and overseas markets but exports drive overall uplift. Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle output surges again, up 72.2%, accounting for two in…

The pace of change in the motor industry puts demand on businesses. Today, businesses need to be better informed, increasingly efficient and more competitive. Find out who has joined SMMT this month.

SMMT released figures for February pre-registrations in the UK new car market. The data shows the number of cars disposed of by vehicle manufacturers in February 2023 that were defined as pre-registrations. Download the February 2023 release

67% of UK car owners support keeping first MOT test at three years rather than extending to four.
74% say typical MOT cost of £35-£45 is a price worth paying for peace of mind with nine in 10 preferring other ways to save money.
Automotive industry calls on government to maintain MOT frequency in its current format.
Sector supports measures to bring MOT up to date with revised emissions and ADAS checks.

“We face fierce international competition so it was pleasing to hear the Chancellor directly reference industrial strategy and measures to attract investment. There is little, however, that enables the UK to compete with the massive packages of support to power a green transition that are available elsewhere.”
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive

New blueprint highlights Britain’s electric vehicle investment advantages but warns of fierce competition as other countries boldly back their own industries. Almost every EV component already built in UK plants, but need to scale up capacity rapidly to secure long-term…