Latest news with #SMMT
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
UK vehicle making hits lowest level since 1953, excluding Covid
British car and van production in the first half of this year has hit its lowest level since 1953, excluding the industry shutdown during output fell 7.3% in the six months to June while the closure of Vauhall's Luton van plant helped drive van production down 45%, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) over tariffs in the US – the UK industry's second biggest market – meant some firms slowed or stopped production in the first half of this said the US-UK tariff deal which has since come into effect could help confidence, while the government said its electric vehicle (EV) grants would "boost" the industry. The SMMT welcomed the EV grants, but it said the new system lacked clarity and had been introduced without consulting the Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the half year production figures were "depressing" but that he hoped that the first half of this year marked "the nadir" for the UK auto industry.A deal with the US to reduce tariffs from 27.5% to 10% was announced in May came into effect on 30 June, with SMMT recording a small rise in vehicle production in June. However, the SMMT does not expect to return to 2021 production levels of one million vehicles by the end of the Hawes said that the government's target of 1.3 million vehicles per year by 2035 was "quite some ambition from where we are", adding that "we clearly require at least one, if not two, new entrants to come into UK production" to hit the of electrified vehicles rose 1.8% with battery, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounting for a record of more than two in five of vehicles week the government confirmed it will reintroduce grants of up to £3,750 on some EVs are priced at or below £37, the SMMT welcomed the return of incentives that were abolished in 2022, there is widespread confusion about which vehicles will qualify for the eligibility and level of discount will be determined by the amount of carbon emitted in the production of the vehicle and its battery. They will only be offered to manufacturers that have verified science-based targets with thresholds the government has not yet expected that Chinese and Korean vehicles will not meet the criteria but little else is clear."The difficulty is, we don't know. Nobody knows, but nobody, not even government, really knows yet, which models and which brands will qualify," said Mr Hawes."I think the industry is still trying to get clarity behind its application. Right now your dealer cannot tell you whether the model you are considering is eligible."He said clarity was needed soon as September is the second biggest month for new car registrations.A transport department spokesperson said it expects "dozens of models to be eligible for the electric car grant, which will provide a substantial boost for the industry and save drivers thousands of pounds"."We want the discounts to become available to drivers as soon as possible, and we are engaging extensively with vehicle manufacturers and have published guidance to help them apply as easily as possible," they £650m of grant money will be awarded on a first come first served basis.
Daily Mirror
11 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
New UK driving laws to be introduced soon after being 'fast tracked'
A new consultation has been launched on the automated passenger services (APS) permitting scheme and the draft stature instrument, which will dictate the future of self-driving vehicles Fresh motoring regulations will arrive on British roads in the coming months as autonomous vehicles begin their rollout. Labour MP and minister Lilian Greenwood has unveiled a consultation regarding the automated passenger services (APS) licensing framework and the draft statutory instrument. The MP is encouraging both the general public and industry experts to share their perspectives on the future of driverless cars. The APS framework represents a crucial element of the Automated Vehicles Act, which will govern self-driving taxis, bus-style services and cabs once fully enacted in the latter half of 2027. The government has chosen to accelerate trials of autonomous passenger vehicles to spring 2026, enabling companies to test small-scale operations without a safety driver for the first time, reports Birmingham Live. Advancing these driverless vehicle trials will generate 38,000 employment opportunities to boost household incomes, spurring investment to support British engineering expertise and establishing an industry valued at £42 billion by 2035. Future of roads minister, she explained: "Self-driving vehicles are one of the most exciting opportunities to improve transport for so many people, especially those in rural areas or unable to drive." "We want to work with passengers and industry to make this new form of transport safe and accessible, as we take our next steps towards adoption. Labour MP and minister Lilian Greenwood continued: "This technology doesn't just have the potential to improve transport for millions of people. It will help stimulate innovation, create thousands of jobs, and drive investment to put money money in people's pockets-all part of delivering our Plan for Change." Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, also added: "Britain's self-driving vehicle revolution moves one step closer, with today's announcements putting the country on track to reap the road safety and socio-economic benefits this technology can deliver." "Pilot rollout of commercial self-driving services from next year will widen public access to mobility, while the consultation will ensure the technology is deployed in a safe and responsible way." He concluded: "These latest measures will help Britain remain a world leader in the development and introduction of self-driving vehicles, a manifest application of AI at its finest." As explained, self-driving vehicles can facilitate people to get around more easily, especially for those who don't have a license. It can also add a new method of transport in rural areas, improving mobility and overall road safety by reducing the number of accidents.
Auto Car
6 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
6 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
7 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
