Commenting on today’s meeting with the secretary of state for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “It was a serious and constructive meeting underlining the strategic importance of the UK motor industry.

“This is an important announcement that recognises the strategic contribution of the motor industry and follows action in other EU member states, the US and Japan,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

Production figures for December and full year 2008 have been released

The SMMT inflation report details headline and automotive specific inflation trends to January 2009, as released by ONS this week.

The SMMT inflation report details headline and automotive specific inflation trends to January 2009, as released by ONS this week.

The SMMT inflation report details headline and automotive specific inflation trends to January 2009, as released by ONS this week.

The SMMT inflation report details headline and automotive specific inflation trends to January 2009, as released by ONS this week.

The SMMT inflation report details headline and automotive specific inflation trends to January 2009, as released by ONS this week.

The SMMT inflation report details headline and automotive specific inflation trends to January 2009, as released by ONS this week.

On 14 and 15 January, SMMT Foresight Vehicle held a seminar entitled “Low Carbon Vehicle Power Systems” at the MIRA engineering centre in Nuneaton. The event, supported by the Technology Strategy Board and hosted on behalf of the Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Knowledge Transfer Network, attracted more than 80 guests.