SMMT News

Astra production plant at Ellesmere Port creates 300 new jobs Second shift and 250 new jobs at Luton van facility in Bedfordshire Vauxhall has confirmed that it will take on 550 new employees at its manufacturing sites in Ellesmere Port…

SMMT has been the home to a historic collection of roadside rescue vehicles this week, marking the announcement that the AA is to inspect all Motor Codes garages.

SMMT’s weekly round-up, including all the latest news from UK automotive and a message from SMMT’s Chief Executive.   CLICK HERE: SMMT Update 325 online.

1. Juncker elected as Commission President.
2. €25b of finance for SMEs announced.
3. EEF Chief Executive to lead manufacturers in Europe.
4. Martin Schulz re-elected as European Parliament President.
5. Italy takes over Council of the European Union Presidency.
6. Week ahead.

1. SMMT launch Sustainability Report and host Parliamentary Reception.
2. Technology Strategy Board publishes blueprint for growth.
3. New cars, commercial vehicles and bus and coach registrations increase in June.
4. Adonis Growth Review published.
5. Conclusions of CBI/Person Education and Skills 2014 survey announced.
6. Week ahead.

Bus and coach registrations steady in June with a 0.3% rise; year-to-date volumes remain up 3.4%. Purpose-built sector made gains in the month with a 19.1% rise, leaving the year down just 6.3%. Converted bus market fell 16.8% in June, but year-to-date remains positive, up 13.5%.

Total commercial vehicle registrations rose 25.5% in June to 33,941; rolling year up 16.4% to 344,762. Van market maintains impressive growth with registrations up 33.3% in June, causing year-to-date volumes to increase 16.8% to 155,532 and rolling year up 16.0% to 293,428.

SMMT has published Electric Vehicle (EV) registration figures for June and the year-to-date.

1,287,265 new cars registered in first six months of the year – a 10.6% rise and the best half-year total since 2005. June saw new car registrations rise 6.2% to 228,291 units. Consumer demand for efficiency has driven alternatively-fuelled vehicle registrations up 51.3% to 23,337 units year-to-date.

Please click here to download July’s edition of the member services bulletin