CEO Update

A key priority for SMMT, our members and the industry as a whole has been ensuring the promised provision of liquidity from the government to businesses materialises promptly. That funding is starting to flow, with important government-backed schemes opening this…

News this week that the country will remain in lockdown until at least the beginning of May was tough for everyone to hear, even if expected. However, signs that this mammoth national effort is starting to stem the spread of…

Figures released this week by SMMT showed the UK new car market fell more than -44% in March – hardly a surprise with showrooms locked down for most of the month to contain the spread of the coronavirus, but very…

SMMT is working hard to support members – and the entire automotive sector – and address the immediate challenges presented by Covid-19. This means working with other trade bodies at home and abroad at times, to coordinate efforts, but also…

UK car manufacturing figures released today by SMMT show output declined just -0.8% in February, with some 122,171 vehicles rolling off production lines. This relative stability, equivalent to a loss of just over 1,000 units compared with the same month…

At this time of unprecedented challenge, securing the health and livelihoods of all society must be the absolute priority. But, Government also recognises it must support the economy and business else society itself will not function. Automotive is a broad…

Unprecedented situations call for unprecedented measures and this week’s Budget provided welcome reassurance to many businesses and workers as they attempt to manage the likely effects of coronavirus. Given the immediate challenges, it was also good news to see the…

New car registrations figures released this week by SMMT show the market fell -2.9% in February, as demand from private buyers declined again amid weak consumer confidence and ongoing uncertainty over government policy on vehicle technology and environmental ambition. This…

Nearly a month after leaving the European Union we now have a clearer idea of where both sides of negotiators are going to position themselves. The UK government’s special focus on automotive in its negotiating mandate is welcome, given the…

A mixed performance this week, as the 2019 figures for the heavy goods vehicle and bus and coach markets were released. HGV registrations rose 12.6% in the year, while bus and coach performance dropped -18.8%, falling for a third consecutive…