SMMT News

Find out who has joined the premier automotive trade association and what they get from membership. New members – November 2014

A UK-designed, Formula 1-inspired energy recovery system for buses has taken first prize in the prestigious SMMT Award for Automotive Innovation 2014.

Influential figures from across the UK automotive industry came together in London today to celebrate the achievements of more than 70 young people in the third iteration of an initiative to enhance skills in the sector – the Foyer Federation.

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

1. European Court of Justice rules on UK air quality case
2. CLEPA e-mobility conference
3. EU Passenger Car registration figures for October released
4. First estimates of EU R&D spend for 2013 published
5. Manufacturers and operators in joint call to EU on Weights and Dimensions proposals
6. Week ahead

1. October UK automotive manufacturing figures announced
2. Manufacturing growth firm, but exports weak – CBI
3. Government announces opening up of traineeships
4. ONS produces Annual Survey of House and Earnings 2014 publication
5. UKIP wins Rochester and Strood by-election
6. Week ahead

In a year when registrations of ultra low emission vehicles (ULEVs) – that’s pure electric, plug-in hybrid and range extended electric vehicles – have seen a 265% increase in demand, Mitsubishi has launched the Outlander PHEV in the UK.

UK engine production fell 17.0% to 211,258 units in October as re-tooling for new models continued.
2,033,199 engines built so far in 2014 – a fall of 6.4%.
Outlook is positive for the long-term, with UK engine production receiving significant recent investment.

UK commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing declined 8.9% in October – the smallest monthly fall since June 2013.
Production for the UK market increased 14.6% in the month, but exports fell 30.6%.
2014-to-date volumes still affected by last year’s restructuring, falling 23.5% to 57,981 units.

UK car manufacturing fell 6.7% in October to 150,060 units, leaving year-to-date volumes flat (down 0.3%).