SMMT News

The London Taxi Company has announced that it will take on 30 manufacturing apprentices under a new scheme based in Coventry, just weeks after it was revealed that parent company Geely will invest an additional £50 million in its facilities there.

1. New Automotive Council International Competitiveness study published
2. Update on government action: vehicle emission testing programme
3. EEF and Government in joint drive to get more manufacturers exporting
4. Innovate UK strategy to help strengthening UK business and boosting growth
5. Motoring Services Strategy consultation published
6. SMMT presentation at Aston University Europe event
7. Week ahead

1. David Cameron outlines demands for EU reform
2. Donald Tusk reacts to UK renegotiation demands
3. Transport Committee approves emission-capping urban mobility report
4. European Commission finalises proposals for ICS for TTIP
5. Mercosur states near new EU free trade offer
6. Week ahead

The UK Automotive International Competitiveness Report has found that the sector’s workforce is one of the world’s most productive – but action is needed to address a shortage of skilled engineers and operators.

1. Scotland: Clean air strategy launched
2. New car market stabilises in October after record 43 months of growth
3. CV market strong as van demand rises for ninth month in 2015
4. Labour Party announces Departmental Committee Chairs
5. Nadhim Zahawi MP: New Role as Prime Minister’s Apprenticeship Adviser
6. EEF – Manufacturers’ verdict on UK innovation support
7. Week ahead

1. Chancellor Osborne continues talks on reforming the EU in Berlin
2. Investment to go to large-scale transport infrastructure
3. Call for more research and innovation in the field of connected road transport
4. EU economy set for ‘modest’ recovery
5. Week ahead

SMMT’s weekly round-up, including all the latest news from UK automotive and a message from SMMT’s Chief Executive.

Year-to-date bus and coach demand up 23.5% to 7,715, beating 2014’s full year performance.

Strength of UK commercial vehicle market continues, with year-to-date registrations up 16.7% and a run rate double the monthly average.

SMMT has published Electric Vehicle (EV) registration figures for October 2015 and the year-to-date.