SMMT News

New HGV registrations increase 12.6% in 2019 following regulatory changes. Demand grows for popular tractor and box vans, up 12.9% and 27.2% respectively. Markets for both rigid and artic trucks rise, with a total 48,535 vehicles joining UK roads. SEE…

UK used car market remains solid in 2019, down just -0.1%, with 7.9 million transactions.
Stronger second half of the year balances earlier declines in Q1 and Q2.
Diesel and petrol sales hold steady, as demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles rises 23.4%.

UK light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grows for second consecutive month, up +5.9% in January. Registrations up for small and mid-sized vans, while pickups show decline. 23,557 of the latest, low emission models hit UK roads as new models and…

UK new car registrations fall -7.3% in January as private and fleet demand declines, down -13.9% and -2.2% respectively.
Registrations of battery electric cars continue to grow, with a year-on-year uplift of 2,720 units, as plug-in hybrids and hybrids also enjoy record demand.
Industry calls for extensive package of incentives to accelerated match 2035 zero-emission transport ambitions – including long-term commitment to the Plug-in Car Grant.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: It’s extremely concerning that government has seemingly moved the goalposts for consumers and industry on such a critical issue. Manufacturers are fully invested in a zero emissions future, with some 60 plug-in models now on…

SMMT released figures for December pre-registrations in the UK new car market. The data shows the number of cars disposed of by vehicle manufacturers in December 2019 that were defined as pre-registrations. Download the December 2019 release

UK engine manufacturing down -7.2% in 2019 to 2.5 million units. Reduced demand from car manufacturing plants and additional shutdowns in April and November affect annual production totals. Need for ambitious future trade deal highlighted as more than six in…

British commercial vehicle production falls -7.8% in 2019, following distortions from model change-overs.
Output for overseas markets down -8.4%, while production for the UK drops -7.0%.
Nearly 95% of all CV exports shipped to the EU, underlining the importance of an ambitious free trade agreement with UK’s biggest trading partner.

British car manufacturing falls for third consecutive year, down -14.2% in 2019 to 1.3m units – the lowest since 2010.
Production for UK and overseas declines -12.3% and -14.7%, with 81% of cars built for export – the vast majority to the EU.
Good year for alternatively fuelled and small volume car output, with production up 34.7% and 16.2% respectively.
New figures reveal importance of auto manufacturing to UK’s regional growth, with £6bn paid out in workforce wages every year.
SMMT calls for an ambitious UK-EU free trade deal that drives competitiveness, growth and prosperity.