SMMT News

The UK not only has a history of advanced propulsion but, thanks to the Advanced Propulsion Centre, has the opportunity to make it a global centre for low carbon powertrain development and production.

Electrification and hydrogen fuel cell technology will both be instrumental in powering vehicles in the near future. This was the message delivered as Kevin E Layden, Global Director of Powertrain Engineering for Ford Motor Company, and Frank Meijer, Head of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle at Hyundai Motor Europe, debated strategies for advanced propulsion at the 2014 SMMT International Automotive Summit.

Ian Harnett, Director of Purchasing for Jaguar Land Rover delivers his keynote speech at the 2014 International Automotive Summit.

Ahead of the ACEA Liaison Committee next week, SMMT is showing a selection of UK-built cars which demonstrate the diversity of the country’s automotive industry. Held at SMMT’s Westminster headquarters, the display features vehicles from Honda, Nissan and Rolls-Royce.

Companies can now bid for a share of £100 million from government’s Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) to help strengthen domestic supply chains and entice mew manufacturers to the UK.

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

1. DfT announces £5 million for the Clean Vehicle Technology Fund
2. 2014 Queen’s Speech delivered
3. UK car and commercial vehicle registrations rise in May
4. CIPS survey shows upsurge in UK manufacturing
5. Week ahead

1. Council agrees position on lorry sizes
2. World’s largest civilian robotics programme launched
3. Industrial producer prices down in April
4. European Commission sets out proposals to strengthen recovery
5. G7 summit outcome
6. Week ahead

Vauxhall is celebrating 50 years of manufacturing at its Ellesmere Port site in Cheshire. The site, which produces more than 70,000 Vauxhall Astras a year, started manufacturing the Vauxhall Viva on 1 June 1964.

An additional six buyers have confirmed their attendance to SMMT Meet the Buyer 2014, taking the number of OEMs looking to locally-source components to 24. UK automotive supply chain companies are being urged to capitalise on the once-a-year opportunity to expand their business, as the invite-only event approaches.