JLR is UK’s largest automaker – again

JaguarLandRover (JLR) has once again been named the largest automotive manufacturer in Britain, accounting for more than 30 per cent of all domestic car production last year.

SMMT and EU referendum

The trade body for the UK automotive sector, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), has reacted to the result in the referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.

5,000 jobs ‘vacant’ in UK auto industry?

Up to 5,000 job vacancies in the UK automotive industry could be vacant due to a skills shortage affecting the sector, according to the Automotive Council.

New ‘take back’ scheme to recycle UK vehicles

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is partnering with recycling company Autogreen to ensure that all unclaimed cars and vans can be disposed of and recycled responsibly – with no cost to the consumer.

Vauxhall builds 60,280 Vivaros in 2015

Vauxhall built over 60,000 vans in the UK last year, making it Britain’s leading van maker for the 14^th year running, according to SMMT figures.

British car output rises 4% in 2015

British manufacturers made more cars in 2015 than any year since 2005.

SMMT gives a view about emissions testing

On a day when the fall in the share price of Volkswagen AG almost doubled and its plight continued to spiral downwards, the UK Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has given a view about passenger car emissions testing without passing comment one way or the other about the dilemma faced by Volkswagen Group in Germany, and possibly other automakers in Europe.

 “The UK automotive industry understands the concerns consumers may have following the actions of one manufacturer in regard to emissions testing and the subsequent decision to recall a large number of its cars. This is, however, an issue affecting just one company and there is no evidence to suggest that any other company is involved, let alone that this is an industry-wide issue.

“Consumers should be reassured that cars sold in the UK must comply with strict European laws. All cars must complete a standard emissions test, which, unlike in the US, is independently witnessed by a government-appointed independent agency.
 

“On the separate on-going debate about real-world testing, industry accepts that the current test method for cars is out of date and is seeking agreement from the European Commission for a new emissions test that embraces new testing technologies and which is more representative of on-road conditions.”

                                           UK Car emissions testing

Why is it done? All cars sold in the UK have to undergo an official emissions test under EU law. This is to ensure they meet the latest emissions standards, as set by the European Commission, before they can be sold to the consumer.

The latest emissions standard is Euro-6 – and all new cars registered in the EU from 1 September 2015 are required to meet this standard. A range of emissions is tested, including carbon monoxide, particulate matter, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

What is the test? It is a laboratory test, which ensures consistency and absolute comparability from one vehicle to another. The vehicle is put onto a ‘rolling road’ and fitted with equipment to measure emissions. The vehicle will then perform a standardised drive cycle known as the New European Drive Cycle (NEDC) – which contains set acceleration/deceleration levels, and replicates different driving conditions.

If the vehicle emits levels of pollutants lower than the limits set for the Euro-6 standard, it will receive a Euro-6 approval certificate, meaning the vehicle can be sold.

What are the conditions of the test? The test is carried out in a controlled temperature of 20-30C, and the car must be calibrated to the specification as sold to the customer.

All of the vehicle’s components must be present and cannot be tampered with. For example, the alternator belt must be intact and the brakes must function fully to pass testing. The vehicle will be checked to ensure it has the same tyre pressures, fluid levels and components as it would have on the road.

Who carries out the test? The test is carried out in a government-approved test facility, with a government-appointed independent witness.

Who governs the test? The EU test operates in strict conditions and is witnessed by a government-appointed independent approval agency. In the UK, this is the Vehicle Certification Agency, which is responsible to the Department for Transport.

How old is the test? The current test dates back to 1996.

What is the difference between the EU test and the US test? In the US, the official tests are carried out by the manufacturer and not witnessed by an independent third-party as they are in the EU. The results are submitted to the US Environmental

VW on the ropes as 'cheating' issue grows

Volkswagen shares fell some 18 per cent on the first full day off trading following the EPA finding that algorithms on some VW Group cars could manipulate emissions limits.

Sunderland Q30 to bow at Frankfurt

 Visitors to the Frankfurt Motor Show in September will see the first Infiniti Q30 Premium Active Compact that will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland, UK plant next year

Mixed picture for UK automotive output

UK engine manufacturing has started the year with only minimal growth with a rise of only 0.2% in January, producing 206,686 units.

Car exports to China rise five-fold

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that exports of cars to China from the UK have increased five-fold since 2009.

Nissan makes most UK vehicles

Nissan’s Sunderland plant made the most cars in the UK last year.

Parts supplier banking on UK growth

A UK car parts manufacturer is pressing ahead with a £2m expansion plan to help it meet a growing appetite for British-made components.

F1-inspired bus tech scoops UK innovation award

Torotrak Group’s kinetic energy recovery system (KERS), originally devised by Flybrid Automotive, has taken first prize in the prestigious SMMT Award for Automotive Innovation 2014.

UK engine output to rise by one-third

Revenue generated by engine manufacturing in the UK is expected to increase by up to £2.5 billion in two years, increasing turnover by nearly a third (31%).

UK car production rises 7% in 2014

UK car production rose 21.3 per cent in April to 133,437 units, the biggest monthly rise since July 2012.

Year-to-date volumes increased 6.9%, with January-April exports up 8.7%.

UK cars up, trucks and engines down

UK car production is being driven by demand from Europe, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT).

A total of 142,158 cars were manufactured in the UK in March - a 12 per cent rise on the March 2013 figure, the SMMT noted.

UK engine output falls

Engine manufacture in the UK fell 5.4 per cent in the first quarter of 2013 to 660,255 units, down from 697,746 units in the same period of 2012.

UK engine manufacturing in March fell 6.0% to 220,032 units, from 234,038 in 2012. The figures come from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The slowdown in vehicle demand in Europe has constrained UK engine production. In the first quarter, the 2.6% rise in output for the home market was unable to offset a 9.8% fall in exports.

Greenwell to retire from Ford

Ford of Britain chairman Joe Greenwell CBE has ‘elected’ to retire effective end of April 2013. Mark Ovenden, currently managing director, will add the chairman’s role to his responsibilities.

Chairman of Ford of Britain since 2009, Greenwell was also president of the automotive industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in 2009 and 2010.

Greenwell's career in the motor industry spans over 40 years.  

Nissan UK tops plants, brands

In the UK, Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK at Washington on Tyneside produced the most vehicles in 2012 with an output of 510,572 units. It also made the most of any one single brand – 310,837 of its Qashqai model. In June, the plant will begin building the second-generation Leaf electric car.

The figures produced in the SMMT Motor Industry Facts 2013 of the ‘top five’ UK producers and brands, showed that Jaguar Land Rover held second position with 305,467 vehicles built, though in model ranking its Evoque brand came fourth with 112,331 units built. A new nine-speed automatic gearbox from ZF will be fitted first to Evoque models before spreading through the range.

The third highest output was recorded by BMW’s Mini plant at Oxford with 207,530 units built. The Mini brand came second behind Quasqai.