It’s been a difficult year trying to predict how new car registrations will behave – supply issues and consumer hesitancy have disguised the fact that the industry is in a good position to deal with upcoming challenges.
The newly introduced WLTP regime will help drivers buy with added confidence, and this week’s Paris motor show has demonstrated that there is a wave of exciting high-tech cars on the way to market. It’s clear that we all have a role to play in promoting the full range of state of the art powertrain technologies so that drivers can choose what is best for their circumstances.
Innovation and future technology were on the agenda this week, as SMMT hosted the UK pavilion at the 31st Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS), the world’s largest electric mobility expo, in Kobe, Japan.
By promoting some of the latest technology and research, SMMT and its members demonstrated the UK capabilities in the area of electric vehicles, while highlighting why the UK is such a great place to invest – positive government engagement through the industrial strategy; engineering and technological excellence and a rapidly growing market.
This was echoed by the British Consulate-General in Osaka, Sarah Wooten, who during a speech at the joint SMMT and DIT reception highlighted our prime position to be among the leaders in low and zero emission technology.
During the show, SMMT released new figures showing the current dominance of Japanese brands in Britain’s electrified market, with six in 10 new AFVs hitting our roads this year carrying a Japanese badge – even if many of them are made in the UK.
With the UK’s appetite for Japanese EV technology and both nations holding a reputation as early adopters, it is clear that strengthening our trade ties with Japan as we move towards zero emission transport will no doubt significantly benefit both countries.
