SMMT News

1. EPSRC offer £6 million to fund Low Carbon Vehicle Technologies Research
2. Mayor backs national diesel car scrappage scheme
3. Labour launches air pollution campaign
4. Over 1,000 local authority vehicles to become greener
5. Cameron, Miliband and Clegg miss PMQs to campaign in Scotland
6. Week ahead

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

Ford has reached its landmark three millionth low-carbon diesel engine to be produced at the company’s manufacturing centre in Dagenham. The site produces over 30,000 engines a month, and has been building the small-capacity diesel engines since May 2007.

A consortium of electric vehicle manufacturers have united in order to develop a network of rapid charge points across the UK. Members of the joint project include Nissan, BMW, VW and Renault. This marks the first time leading pure electric vehicle manufacturers have come together to accelerate the growth of EV charging infrastructure.

Rolls-Royce has announced that it will open a new Technology and Logistics Centre in Bognor Regis, West Sussex in 2016, safeguarding 200 jobs and creating a number of new roles.

Two thirds of small manufacturers in England feel that increasing sales in the UK will be the source of future growth for their business, according to the latest Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) Barometer. The advisory body attributed positivity in the sector to the millions of pounds that have been invested in the UK automotive industry so far this year.

So far this year, more ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) have been registered than ever before, with 59% more people choosing pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars than in 2013. The success of the UK’s lowest-emitting vehicles is thanks, in part, to Go Ultra Low, a joint industry and government campaign to educate motorists on the benefits of ULEVs.

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

1. Car and van registrations continue to rise, with trucks down in August
2. London fleets to shape capital’s EV infrastructure
3. Medium-sized businesses to benefit from new accounting rules
4. Rolls Royce and Teach First to partner up to train 75 new STEM teachers
5. Week ahead

1. Juncker starts interviews for candidates for Commissioner
2. Industrial producer prices down in euro area
3. Mogherini and Tusk get top EU jobs
4. Priorities of the Italian Presidency on international trade
5. Week ahead