SMMT News

Purpose of the Post: To support the development, delivery and promotion of SMMT product and services to members and the wider industry. To support membership development and execution of recruitment and retention campaigns To assist in industry engagement activities including support…

Purpose of the Post: Provide support and account management to Supply Chain members Support development and execution of Supply Chain engagement and recruitment campaigns Support development and delivery of Supply Chain projects (SMMT, Automotive Council, AMSCI) Represent and promote SMMT products…

1. Car exports and production on the rise but CV production remains subdued
2. DfT launches consultation on driverless cars regulatory testing framework
3. New ‘trailblazer’ automotive apprenticeship standards published
4. Government provides £8.3 million to boost West Midlands transport links
5. Week ahead

Advanced manufacturing and transport technology SMEs based in the West Midlands could be eligible for grant funding of up to £16,000, thanks to Black Country Gold.

Bentley has announced a number of upskilling initiatives to strengthen the skills of current employees and provide a pool of fresh manufacturing talent. The initiatives will see increased investment in training facilities and the largest intake of apprentices that Bentley has seen in a decade.

Toyota’s engine manufacturing facility in Deeside, North Wales has switched on 13,000 solar panels, generating enough renewable energy to power the production of 22,500 engines.

The solar array, which shares a similar footprint to eight football pitches, can produce up to 3,475,000kWh electricity a year, providing 10% of the energy required at the site.

Engine manufacturing output fell 10.2% compared to July 2013 to 205,907 units.
Year-to-date production remains stable at 1,513,350 – a drop of 2.3%.
Long-term outlook is bright for UK engine production as the EU market recovery continues, and with new facilities set to begin assembly over the coming months.

CV manufacturing output continued its decline in July, with volumes down 25% to 6,338 units.
July fall reflects trend in previous months, with year-to-date output down 23.3%.
Impact of last year’s structural changes continued, but stabilisation expected in coming months.

July marks five million cars exported from UK since the beginning of 2010 – the best performance of any decade.
132,570 cars manufactured in July – a rise of 2.8%, as 2014’s steady growth continues.
The average car exported today is worth over £20,600, compared to just £10,200 in 2004.

Despite the UK being seen as a cabriolet-loving nation, the number of convertible car registrations has decreased to 27,222 in 2013 to 64,519 in 2004. One contributing factor is a recent change in consumer habits.