SMMT News

SMMT International Bulletin February 2014 Edition

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

From 3 March SMMT will be supporting its members’ nationwide activities around national apprenticeship week. This annual focus on ways business of all sorts develop the next generation of workers offers automotive businesses the opportunity to put a spotlight on…

DOWNLOAD 1. Commission begins legal proceedings against UK on air quality. 2. European new car registrations up 5.5% in January 2014. 3. EU and US trade chiefs review progress towards Transatlantic trade deal. 4. 2013 industrial structure reports highlights need…

DOWNLOAD 1. January UK car output makes solid start to 2014. 2. Commercial vehicle manufacturing down 14.6% in January 2014. 3. Modest dip in engine production in January 2014. 4. Rise in number of young people considering an engineering career.…

UK engine manufacturing records 6.1% decline in January 2014, to 209,291 units. Decline followed a sharp fall in output for the home market, down 17.4%. Export volumes held.

Commercial vehicle (CV) output fell 14.4% in January to 7,822 units. Decline evident across both home and export markets as restructuring impacts volumes. CV manufacturing figures are expected to stabilise in the second half of the year.

Robust January begins year just 0.3% off 2013 performance. Analysts expect growth over full year as newly introduced models move to full-scale production. Signs of European market recovery significant for overseas trade. Around 50% of exports go to EU.

Volkswagen’s first pure electric production vehicle, the e-up! will be on display at the SMMT’s headquarters in Westminster from 17-28 February.

Summarising the views of 57,000 people, the second annual Motor Codes Report paints a reassuring picture about consumer protection in the UK car market.