SMMT News

The ‘skills gap’ is one of the automotive industry’s hottest issues as new technologies and growing manufacturing combine to drive up the volume and sophistication of modern motor vehicles and components.

The meteoric rise of digital technology is changing the whole culture around the car buying process, according to industry leaders speaking at the SMMT International Automotive Summit.

The automotive and finance industries must work to change the process for manufacturing new technologies in large quantities, a panel of experts at the 2014 SMMT International Automotive Summit has suggested.

Purpose of the Post:  To oversee the International team and help deliver a programme of international activities which offer maximum business benefit to SMMT, SMMT members, and the UK automotive industry  To promote and improve the reputation of the Society…

Purpose of the Post: To create and implement a strategy which promotes the UK motor industry at home and abroad, helping attract inward investment and export opportunities and positions the UK as one of the leading destinations for automotive activity…

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.