British CV output nearly doubles in best August for a decade.
- UK commercial vehicle (CV) production rises 92.9% to 6,132 units, marking the best August since 2012 and the eighth consecutive month of growth.
- Overseas demand increases 78.4%, while production for UK operators more than doubles year-on-year, rising 119.3%.
- Year-to-date CV output is up 50.3% at 64,828 units in the best year-to-date since 2012.
https://www.smmt.co.uk/2022/09/british-cv-output-nearly-doubles-in-best-august-for-a-decade/
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British car output up but record input costs threaten recovery.
- UK car production rises 34.0% in August to 49,901 units after dismal 2021, but volumes still -45.9% down on pre-pandemic levels.
- Fourth consecutive month of growth fails to offset sustained losses from global supply shortages, with YTD output more than half a million units behind average pre-Covid volumes.
- Sector welcomes business energy price cap, with bills already up by £100 million this year, but warns of spring cliff-edge as seven in 10 firms express concern about future business operations.
- SMMT calls for reforms to secure competitiveness, drive investment and deliver economic growth for the UK.
UK car manufacturing output rose for the fourth consecutive month in August, up 34.0% year on year to 49,901 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The performance was, however, -45.9% below August 2019’s pre-pandemic level of 92,158 units, underlining the scale of recovery still needed. The rise, though welcome, follows a very weak performance in August 2021 when production stoppages and extended summer shutdowns caused by the global chip shortage saw volumes plummet to historic lows.
https://www.smmt.co.uk/2022/09/british-car-output-up-but-record-input-costs-threaten-recovery/
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Jaguar Land Rover has commenced work on converting its Halewood factory in the UK into a site that can build vehicles based on its new electrified modular architecture (EMA).
Sources have revealed that the British car manufacturer has started the tendering process to upgrade the factory. Current plans call for an extended shutdown at the plant to begin in 2024 when the actual conversion will begin.
The site will be responsible for building both plug-in hybrid and all-electric vehicles using the EMA platform. This factory currently houses 3,700 employees and will soon benefit from an enlarged body shop. Both the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport are manufactured at the site.
https://www.carscoops.com/2022/09/jaguar-land-rover-begins-converting-halewood-factory-to-build-evs/
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Jaguar Land Rover is to train 29,000 employees to work on electric cars in the next three years.
The car giant said the move would support the “rapid transition” to electrification.
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New car market ends five months of decline ahead of plate change.
- UK new car registrations stabilise, up 1.2% to 68,858 units during traditionally quiet pre-plate change August.
- Battery electric vehicle (BEV) uptake continues to grow, up 35.4%.
- Overall year to date market remains -35.3% down on pre-pandemic 2019.
The UK new car market rose by 1.2% in August, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The growth, albeit marginal, is the first seen since February, with some 68,858 new vehicles joining the road during what is typically the second quietest month of the year as many buyers choose to wait for a ‘new’ numberplate in September.
https://www.smmt.co.uk/2022/09/new-car-market-ends-five-months-of-decline-ahead-of-plate-change/
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UK van market records further decline in August.
- Britain’s light commercial vehicle market falls -24.6%, leaving industry without growth for whole of year to date.
- BEV uptake continues to grow, up 14.7%, reaching 6.1% market share.
- Ongoing supply chain issues lead to worst August since 2017, while year to date market down -27.2% on pre-pandemic 2019.
The UK light commercial vehicle (LCV) market fell by -24.6% to 15,520 units during what is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year ahead of the September plate change. The performance means LCV registrations have declined every month of 2022, with August registration volumes the lowest recorded for the month since 2017.
https://www.smmt.co.uk/2022/09/uk-van-market-records-further-decline-in-august/
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British transport company First Bus has ordered 193 electric buses worth £81 million from Northern Irish bus builder Wrightbus. The order is part-funded through the Department for Transport’s (DfT) Zero Emission Bus Regional Area (ZEBRA) scheme.
First Bus had successfully worked with five municipalities to rack up the combined order of 193 electric buses. The operator will invest £43m in the new vehicles and will be supported to complete the electric fleet project with a £38m grant from the DfT.
https://www.electrive.com/2022/08/31/uk-first-bus-orders-nearly-200-e-buses-from-wrightbus/
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A multimillion-pound order for 50 new double deck electric buses for Greater Manchester has been placed with manufacturer Alexander Dennis.
Less than a year before the first locally controlled bus services in 36 years is set to take to the road, Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, has revealed the distinctive black and yellow design – featuring the new Bee Network logo – for the first time, as he unveiled what the 50 new buses will look like.
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As Nissan Qashqai and Juke production in Sunderland passes the five million mark, electrified versions of these pioneering crossover models are now rolling off the lines.
The Nissan Qashqai, the record-breaking original crossover, is now offered with Nissan’s unique e-POWER system, a first for the company in Europe. Its B-segment stablemate, the Nissan Juke, is now equipped with an advanced hybrid powertrain.
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The Stellantis plant in Luton has expanded its manufacturing portfolio with the start of production of the FIAT Professional Scudo light commercial vehicle.
https://zenoot.com/2022/09/20/stellantis-plant-in-luton-manufactures-first-fiat-van/