SMMT News

SMMT’s upcoming Open Forum will give UK automotive suppliers a valuable insight into the development and future of autonomous vehicles.

The number of new cars registered across Europe in July and August increased 5.6% and 2.1% respectively, yielding 12 consecutive months of growth. So far this year, 8,336,159 cars have been registered in Europe, marking an increase of 6.0%, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

UK automotive manufacturers come in all shapes and sizes, but it is often the industry’s low volume manufacturers, like Caterham and Morgan, that spark the most enthusiasm and excitement.
Low volume doesn’t mean low levels of production and financial performance; here are four key statistics that show the strength of the UK’s low volume manufacturers.

1. Juncker Commission announced
2. Commission reports need for action by EU on industrial competitiveness
3. EU Chamber urges China to open after-market service
4. €11.9 billion of EU funding given to improve transport infrastructure
5. Week ahead

1. EPSRC offer £6 million to fund Low Carbon Vehicle Technologies Research
2. Mayor backs national diesel car scrappage scheme
3. Labour launches air pollution campaign
4. Over 1,000 local authority vehicles to become greener
5. Cameron, Miliband and Clegg miss PMQs to campaign in Scotland
6. Week ahead

SMMT’s weekly round-up, including all the latest news from UK automotive and a message from SMMT’s Chief Executive.

Ford has reached its landmark three millionth low-carbon diesel engine to be produced at the company’s manufacturing centre in Dagenham. The site produces over 30,000 engines a month, and has been building the small-capacity diesel engines since May 2007.

A consortium of electric vehicle manufacturers have united in order to develop a network of rapid charge points across the UK. Members of the joint project include Nissan, BMW, VW and Renault. This marks the first time leading pure electric vehicle manufacturers have come together to accelerate the growth of EV charging infrastructure.

Rolls-Royce has announced that it will open a new Technology and Logistics Centre in Bognor Regis, West Sussex in 2016, safeguarding 200 jobs and creating a number of new roles.

Two thirds of small manufacturers in England feel that increasing sales in the UK will be the source of future growth for their business, according to the latest Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Barometer. The advisory body attributed positivity in the sector to the millions of pounds that have been invested in the UK automotive industry so far this year.