SMMT News

56,122 vans registered in March, up 85.5% albeit compared to first month of 2020 Covid outbreak, a 20-year low for the market. Volumes down -10.9% on pre-Covid five-year average1 and behind industry expectations.2 Demand up across the board as all…

UK new car registrations ‘grow’ for first time since August – up 11.5% – but remain -36.9% adrift of 10-year March average.
Showrooms ready for opening next week following Q1 shortfall of 58,032 fewer cars, at a cost of £1.8bn to industry.
Around 8,300 registrations a day needed for a return to average pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year.

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 2021 that were defined as pre-registrations. Download the February 2021 release

UK engine manufacturing output declines -20.5% in February with 170,271 units built. Production for domestic and overseas markets falls -13.1% and -25.9% respectively. Engine output has fallen by a quarter so far in 2021, down to 338,562 units. Mike Hawes,…

Output down -38.3% in the first two months of the year, with 9,924 vans, trucks and buses leaving factories.

Output for overseas markets tumbles -8.1%, with home orders down -34.9%.

Fresh analysis reveals just 4.6% of car registrations by private buyers in 2020 were for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), compared to 8.7% for fleets and businesses.
Industry sounds warning over 2030 ambition as retail incentives slashed, while 700 charge points need to be installed daily to support the market.
SMMT unveils blueprint for electric revolution calling for all stakeholders to do more for consumers, focusing on incentives, infrastructure and industrial transition.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, The decision to slash the Plug-in Car Grant and Van & Truck Grant is the wrong move at the wrong time. New battery electric technology is more expensive than conventional engines and incentives are…