CEO Update

The industry dealt with an array of challenges in 2022, so it’s only right that we begin this year with positive news. In January the new car market recorded six months of growth and the best start to a year…

Last week SMMT data revealed that UK production of electrified vehicles reached record levels last year, with almost a third of all cars made either fully electric or hybrid and worth £10 billion in exports alone – success built on decades…

2021 was challenging enough, but the latest UK automotive production figures out this week lay bare just how difficult was 2022. Car manufacturing fell by -9.8% to 775,014 units due to persistent supply chain issues – most notably semiconductor shortages,…

While this week was host to ‘Blue Monday’, UK car buyers steered towards grey as their favourite new car colour in 2022. Taking pole position for the fifth year in a row, grey has cemented its place as the nation’s…

The automotive industry has continued to battle significant challenges during the last three years, from lockdowns to component shortages, logistics costs to skills shortages. The most immediate threat to competitiveness – indeed, to the very viability of many operations –…

The new year brings with it annual new car and van registration figures, and data for 2022 shows that the UK new car market fell -2.0% last year to 1.61 million units. The pandemic continues to cast a long shadow…

As we begin the festive break, UK car and commercial vehicle production is seeing out the year in more positive fashion and offering some Christmas cheer to manufacturers, as new figures published today by SMMT show car manufacturing output has…

Plunging temperatures and snow this week are a timely reminder of the importance of winter vehicle maintenance. It’s crucial, however, that motorists keep their vehicles in good order throughout the year and the annual MOT inspection plays an important role…

The fourth consecutive month of growth for the new car market gave us good reason for optimism this week, as the latest industry figures for November showed a 23.5% growth. As supply chain shortages begin to ease, albeit erratically, growth…

After what seems like a decade of uncertainty, from Brexit to lockdowns, there is finally some hope for growth. SMMT’s latest research reveals that the industry’s expected return to growth next year could be worth an additional £14 billion to…