Europe

SMMT statement: The UK government has repeatedly expressed support for our automotive industry as the nation’s biggest exporter of goods. Given its importance to the economy and livelihoods and the damaging consequences of tariffs, we need the sector prioritised in…

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, The pandemic has caused immense damage to the automotive sector, with thousands of jobs lost and precious resources diverted to dealing with the crisis at hand. The industry now faces the prospect of a…

EU and UK automotive leaders unite to call for urgent agreement of an ambitious free trade deal before the end of the transition period in just 15 weeks’ time.
New calculations show the catastrophic impact of ‘no deal’ with WTO tariffs putting production of some 3 million EU and UK built cars and vans at risk over next five years.
‘No deal’ would mean combined EU-UK trade losses worth up to €110 billion to 2025, on top of around €100 billion in lost production value so far this year because of coronavirus crisis.

UK car manufacturing output declines -48.2% in June with 56,594 units produced, rounding off weakest six months since 1954.
Factories turn out just 381,357 cars in the year-to-date, down -42.8% on 2019 – a decline of more than 285,000 units.
11,349 jobs already cut across manufacturing and retail during the pandemic, with more at stake without dedicated restart support as firms fear double whammy of Brexit tariffs.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: With both mandates now on the table, negotiations for an ambitious, world-leading FTA must now begin in earnest. The UK government’s special focus on automotive is welcome given the sector’s importance to both economic prosperity…

Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO: We congratulate the Conservatives on their election success and look forward to working with the new government at this critical time for the automotive industry and the country. The priority must now be to restore business…

Industry calls on next government to put sector at heart of economic and trade policies, and agree an ambitious Brexit deal to deliver on UK’s green growth ambitions.
New figures show tariffs would decimate UK manufacturing, with 1.5 million vehicles lost by 2024 at a cost of £42.7 billion.
UK Automotive can lead in global green mobility revolution but needs collaboration to drive progress, prosperity and jobs.
Industry launches ’key priorities for a new government’ at 103rd Annual Dinner to secure sector’s future success and competitiveness.

New survey shows escalating fears of ‘no deal’ Brexit to UK automotive sector, with a third cutting jobs and 80.3% concerned about damage to their future business prospects.
More than £500m already wasted on measures that will not deliver returns, rather than being invested in much-needed R&D.
Profitability, new business opportunities and investment all under threat as industry faces £5bn WTO tariff bill on cars and vans alone – a cost which cannot be mitigated.

Europe’s leading automotive representatives warn of catastrophic consequences of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
Barrier-free trade crucial for continued success of the deeply integrated pan-European auto sector.
Application of WTO tariffs on cars and vans could mean €5.7bn bill for EU/UK industry and consumers.
Sector calls for no-deal to be ruled out to safeguard the future of European automotive.

With just over one month to go before the UK is due to leave the EU, the European automotive industry today made a united call for the UK and the EU to avoid a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

Today the SMMT wrote to the Prime Minister, congratulating him on his appointment and setting out the UK automotive industry’s immediate and future priorities at a time of dramatic transformation for the sector. These include:
supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles by investing in infrastructure, incentives and securing a gigafactory in the UK.
making the UK the most attractive destination for investors, creating an internationally competitive business environment.
above all, ensuring the sector continues to enjoy preferential trade with critical markets around the world, including the EU. ‘No deal’ Brexit is simply not an option.