Latest news with #SMMT
Auto Car
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Why the government's new industrial strategy is good news for car makers
Close Three months ago, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders boss Mike Hawes said it 'felt like you were being punched on all sides'. But the government's new UK Modern Industrial Strategy is one of a number of developments that makes Hawes 'a bit more optimistic' about the future. An automotive-specific trade deal with the Trump administration – the only one signed and in force of its kind in the world – is another reason for hope. People have even stopped asking him about Brexit… Hawes credits this government, and in particular business secretary Jonathan Reynolds, for giving meaningful support to the industry.
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Malay Mail
Jaguar Land Rover sales dive 15pc as exports to US slump over Trump-era tariffs, 500 UK job-cuts loom
LONDON, July 18 — Indian-owned Jaguar Land Rover, which halted exports of its cars to the United States in April over tariffs, said Thursday it planned to cut up to 500 UK management jobs. The cuts to be carried out via voluntary redundancy total 1.5 per cent of the JLR workforce in the UK, a statement said. 'As part of normal business practice, we regularly offer eligible employees the opportunity to leave JLR through limited voluntary redundancy programmes,' said a company spokesperson, without linking the move to developments over tariffs. The news comes after the company, which is owned by Indian group Tata Motors, reported a sharp reduction in sales after JLR temporarily halted shipments to the US in response to President Donald Trump's tariffs. JLR retail sales slid more than 15 per cent in the three months to the end of June, compared with the same period last year. Jaguar's sales were impacted also by a planned phase-out of its legacy vehicles in the UK, as the company prepared to launch electric models. Automotive trade body SMMT last month reported that British car exports to the United States slumped more than 55 per cent in May year-on-year – but noted that a recent trade deal between the UK and US should help sales to recover. The agreement between London and Washington slashes the tariff on UK car exports to 10 per cent from 27.5 per cent, on a limit of 100,000 vehicles annually. — AFP
Top Gear
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
We drove an old E46 BMW 330Ci with new tech, and here's what we found
We drove an old E46 BMW 330Ci with new tech, and here's what we found This oldtimer coupe has been treated to new high-tech goodies - did they make it better, or worse? Skip 20 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 20 What's this, an old car? Correct. According to data from the SMMT, almost a third of all cars in the UK (about 11.4m) are now over 12 years old. If your chariot falls into this bracket, chances are the tech inside is probably starting to feel… like an actual medieval chariot. The most common fix is to find a workshop that will install smartphone connectivity, either retrofitting the pre-existing screen or adding a new one specifically for this function. But what if you wanted to go a bit further? Advertisement - Page continues below Meet eBay's latest project: an 85,000-mile E46 BMW 330Ci with a twist. It's been revamped with various technologies sourced from its marketplace, including an Xtrons phone mirroring unit, a Nextbase front/rear dashcam, a reverse camera and even a head-up display. Inside the old-timer, you'll also spot a new auxiliary USB charging cable and an in-built GPS tracker, along with a 520-watt speaker system from Gladen. Changes that are very much welcome in a two-decade-old coupe. Does any of it work? The CarPlay unit is seamless, though the HUD does lag a few tenths behind when you accelerate. It's far more accurate when decelerating, mind. The parking camera tucked under the boot lid is a welcome addition. Selecting reverse gear pulls up a rear view on the central screen, with display lines and noise alerts in place to help with your manoeuvre. The camera's positioning is a little low, which is a slight limitation to your field of view, but it's better than not having it. Advertisement - Page continues below Our main quibble lay with the blind spot monitor. It's a small light switch attached to the lower corner of the side windows, and it lights up when a car enters your, er, blind spot. It does its job, but we feel a classier solution than a flickering rubberised dome could've been used here. And what if I'm all about that bass? The audio could do with more bass and clarity. The complicated electronics involved with the overhaul also meant the steering wheel's volume button didn't work - you'll only be able to use the toggle on the dashboard. Overall though, this Ci is now a far better car than it was: it's easier to drive and the tech isn't obtrusive. What's more, barring an upgraded oil filter and a raspier exhaust, the internals have been left untouched to keep the overall experience as authentic as possible. That's 228bhp and 221lb ft at the rear wheels, 0-62mph in 6.5s and a top speed of 155mph. All in all, a solid effort. Any cosmetic changes to report? Indeed. New floor mats, kick plates and a gear knob for that six-speed manual transmission. Also new indicator lamps and exhaust clamps, and a set of Michelin all-season tyres. Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email* How much did all of this cost? Just over £2.2k excluding labour costs, broken down to £1.2k for the new interior tech, and £1k for the tyres and the exterior touch-ups. How about installation time? Expert mechanic Hannah Gordon - who worked on the McLaren Solus GT project - oversaw this particular build and said it would typically take between six and nine days to complete. 'The E46 is an iconic shape, so we didn't want to change too much,' she said. 'The brief was to add all the technology but keep it looking as if it had just come out of the factory. So we've just done subtle things. Most people wouldn't even be able to tell it's been modified.' As for any complications, Gordon said: 'We had to strip out the interior and boot, because with these old cars, it's likely a previous owner would've changed certain components. So you do need some know-how. 'Because of their shape, coupes can be more challenging to work with than, say, a hatchback. And since we wanted the changes to look integrated, it meant the wiring had to be hidden away as much as possible. Sometimes, installing the parts isn't what takes up the most time, making it look like it was always meant to be there does.' So, should I consider converting my medieval chariot? That rather depends on how much your old biffer is worth. Just for argument's sake, used E46s vary wildly in prices at the moment, so spending upwards of two large on a car potentially worth the same might not seem economically viable. However, make the numbers work for you and it's a decent upgrade - nothing too intrusive, just enough to make your life a little bit easier. Images: Joseph Harding
The Independent
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
You can now get £3,750 off a new electric car – here's why
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced a new £650 million Electric Car Grant (ECG), offering up to £3,750 for electric vehicles priced under £37,000 to reduce costs for buyers. The grant comes into effect on 16 July, but car manufacturers are still awaiting specific details on which models qualify for which grant amounts. The grant amounts are based on sustainability criteria with car makers having to commit to a Science-Based Target (SBT) on emissions. While the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders welcomed the grant, the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association raised concerns about potential negative impacts on the used electric vehicle market and finance costs. Alongside the ECG, the government has also announced a £25 million scheme for cross-pavement charging technology, an £8 million fund to electrify ambulance and medical fleets across 200 NHS sites, and improved EV charging signage on major roads.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Grid reform key for decarbonising auto sector: SMMT
Reforms to the UK's energy grid are key to decarbonising the automotive sector in the country, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In its 26th Sustainability Report, the trade body emphasises the automotive sector's strides in reducing its environmental footprint. The report notes a 2.4% decline in energy required for vehicle production and a 6.2% reduction in average new car tailpipe CO₂ emissions. According to the SMMT, UK vehicle plants have achieved a record 60.3GWh of renewable electricity generation, largely due to investments in solar panels and wind turbines. It marks nearly a one-third increase compared to 2023, saving approximately 12,500t of CO₂. However, the rise in electrified models, accounting for 35.4% of UK new car production in 2024, necessitates more clean energy. The SMMT added: 'With new zero-emission models and gigafactories in the pipeline, overall demand for affordable clean energy is set to grow exponentially.' In June, the UK's new car market saw a growth for the second month in a row, with registrations rising by 6.7% to 191,316 units. Last month, EV registrations reached a 48.5% market share, with battery-electric vehicles rising 39.1% to 47,354 units, accounting for 24.8% of the market share. Manufacturers are investing in on-site renewable energy generation to reduce reliance on external sources, but lengthy grid connection timelines, averaging nearly 14 years, pose a challenge. This, SMMT said, requires 'changes to planning and the UK's energy mix'. Meanwhile, the UK is paying the highest electricity prices in Europe, affecting its competitiveness. The government's Industrial Strategy aims to address this, potentially reducing electricity bills by 20%. The proposed relief on standing charges for battery production and other energy-intensive industries should extend to automotive businesses, the trade body said, adding that this would support their role in achieving net zero and improve competitiveness, given the UK's high electricity prices. The automotive sector has made significant progress in developing zero-emission vehicles, decarbonising manufacturing, and investing in skills. With reduced energy costs and improved grid connections, the SMMT believes that the industry could further enhance its low-carbon manufacturing capabilities, fostering job creation and growth in the UK. "Grid reform key for decarbonising auto sector: SMMT" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
