Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

⚡️Every part of our industry is gearing up to deliver net zero Provide the right landscape, and we will deliver the growth the nation seeks: £50 billion pounds worth of growth over the next decade #SMMTElectrified

The gravity of recent weeks for the UK automotive industry was signified on Monday with the Prime Minister and Chancellor moving quickly to announce – at the production line of one of Britain’s globally renowned car makers – the outcome of government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate and 2030 end of sale consultation. It is a significant and essential first step that industry welcomes, with government having considered the intense pressures manufacturers are under in such a vastly changed global and geopolitical landscape. Such pressures, however, are long in the making and not just the product of recent weeks. Indeed, the mandate was designed in more optimistic times when the cost of making, and therefore buying, an EV was expected to fall significantly; energy and charging costs anticipated to decrease substantially; and global trade assumed to remain smooth and open between major markets. Despite the challenges and at immense cost, industry has continued to deliver ever greater EV choice and at pace, with massive discounts driving uptake to record levels. Consumer demand still, however, remains weaker than the country’s ambitions. Automotive remains fully committed to decarbonising but delivering on ambition urgently requires additional measures to encourage consumers, and particularly EV sceptics, to switch. More in this week's Update: https://lnkd.in/eRxAFDxY

This week's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Transport News Brief lead comment; Positive steps for the UK van sector Last week, SMMT published the latest light commercial vehicle registration figures, which showed more than 51,000 new vans, 4x4s and pick-ups joined UK roads in March – a year-on-year decline of -3.2%. However, demand for electric vans weighing up to 4.25 tonnesrose for the sixth month running, reaching a new monthly record of 4,215 units. Demand still remains behind the ambition set by the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, with greenest vans taking a market share of 8.3% – just over half the 16% share required this year. That’s why, this week, it was a welcome step that government announced the results of its consultation on the mandate – providing clarity on the cutting-edge technologies that will be part of the UK’s world-leading decarbonisation timeline up to 2035, along with additional regulatory flexibilities for vans. The trajectory of new van market decarbonisation remains changed, with an ambitious 70% share required by 2030. Delivery demands a follow-up of significant support that encourages more van fleet operators to go electric. The Plug-in Van Grant has been renewed and will hold in in place until April 2026 and this week, Parliament voted to remove the five-hour training requirement for driving 4.25-tonne electric vans, which will help to open up the market. A nationwide plan for the rollout of public, van-dedicated charging infrastructure is really important and it must be ramped up quickly, along with further measures that reduce the total cost of ownership, so that operators in every part of the UK can be confident to run their fleets on zero emissions. Headwinds remain though with the introduction of new tax changes on Sunday to treat double-cab pick-ups as cars, rather than commercial vehicles, for benefit in kind and capital allowances purposes. SMMT data shows there was a 40.6% surge in new pick-up registrations in March, ahead of the changes, with businesses keen to avoid the large additional costs they will face. Businesses in a wide range of sectors depend on pick-ups, but it is likely that many will hold off investing, keeping their older and more polluting vehicles on the road and, counteractively, reducing tax revenues. SMMT continues to urge government to reconsider the change with a one-year pause on its implementation so that businesses can prepare during what is a turbulent and challenging moment for our industry.

On 15 April SMMT will be joined by Epicor for a webinar on How AI is transforming manufacturing. This webinar will show how a modern AI-infused ERP is using Artificial Intelligence to transform the way employees interact with their ERP application and optimising key business processes. If you want to learn how businesses can make decisions quicker and more effectively register for the webinar at - https://lnkd.in/e-6i_Wjy

Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Polestar; Lynn Calder, CEO of INEOS Automotive; Frank-Steffen Dr. Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors; are just some of the eminent speakers sharing their unique insights FT Live Future of the Car Summit. Don’t miss out, register now: https://bit.ly/41PCxq6 #FTCar

The SMMT International Automotive Summit provides an opportunity for the automotive industry to come together to discuss the issues and opportunities most impacting their businesses and the industry as a whole. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday 24 June at the IET London. The agenda will look towards the next decade, exploring what is needed to futureproof our industry both domestically and globally. We are pleased to announce the panel sessions for the day: 🛳️A Global Perspective - Geopolitics and Trade 🔧UK Automotive Manufacturing – a Modern Industrial Strategy for a Modern Industry 🌱Sustainability Beyond the Tailpipe 🛜Developments in Technology and the Customer Journey ⚡️Market Update – Strategies to Stimulate the Market and Expedite the ZEV Transition in the Consumer and Commercial Sectors The event will attract 300 senior-level representatives from across the breadth of the industry and government for a day-long conference. There are exhibition and partnership opportunities available. For more information about the event and how to register, please email SMMTSummit@smmt.co.uk or visit https://lnkd.in/eVy_NKJg #SMMTSummit #competitiveness #electricvehicles #EnergyTransition #automotive #ukautomotiveindustry #ukmanufacturing #globalmarket #globalautomotive #trade #technology #innovation #electrification #zeroemission #sustanability #netzero

Positive feedback is one of the many reasons why we are returning to Thailand this year as we look forward to organising the UK Pavilion at MobilityTech Asia - Bangkok in July. Join us as part of this year's UK delegation to benefit from: ☑️ Your own exhibition space on the UK Pavilion ☑️ Save over £3,500 compared to exhibiting independently ☑️ Tailored B2B meeting programme ☑️ Networking receptions ☑️ Speaking opportunity Visit https://lnkd.in/eBPaU3VG to find out more or email international@smmt.co.uk if you'd like to speak to the international team about this opportunity. #smmt #international #exhibition #thailand #automotive #mobility

Best month ever for new EV registrations but market share misses mandated target ⬆️ New car market rises 12.4% during plate change month as private retail buyers slowly return. 🔋 Battery electric car uptake rises to highest ever volume at 69,313 units but 19.4% market share still below target set by Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate. 📣 Industry maintains call for accelerated regulatory review and government incentives to raise demand to required level. https://lnkd.in/evKU7HKK

The prime minister confirms a 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars but announces changes to regulations to help firms transition Mike Hawes, chief executive of SMMT said the government had listened to the industry and "recognised the intense pressure manufacturers are under". "We await full details of the regulatory amendments but, given the potentially severe headwinds facing manufacturers following the introduction of US tariffs, greater action will almost certainly be needed to safeguard our industry's competitiveness," he said. "UK-US negotiations must continue at pace, while the long-awaited industrial and trade strategies should prioritise automotive and be delivered at speed." https://lnkd.in/eqWVactp

Today in the Commons, I welcomed swift government action to support the UK car industry in response to new US tariffs — crucial for my constituents working at JLR in Halewood. It’s already much cheaper to drive electric- up to £1,000 a year cheaper for families who charge at home using low overnight tariffs. I asked the Secretary of State to work across government to bring down electricity costs. Lower running costs will help those who can’t use cheap tariffs and will boost the UK market and strengthen demand for vehicles made right here in Britain. This government is giving British car-makers certainty, stability, and support as the Prime Minister sets out plans to back industry in the face of global economic headwinds. We’re delivering clear direction for the UK car industry by: ✅ Allowing sales of full and plug-in hybrids — like the Toyota Prius and Nissan e-Power — until 2035 ✅ Backing this with over £2.3 billion in investment, including the Automotive Transformation Fund ✅ Rolling out EV chargepoints at pace across the country ✅ Supporting zero-emission vans, trucks, and motorcycles ✅ Introducing new flexibility for car-van credit transfers — helping manufacturers like Stellantis, Ford, and Nissan to stay compliant while innovating ✅ Exempting small volume manufacturers — supporting iconic British brands like McLaren, Aston Martin, and Bentley This package, backed by manufacturers including Jaguar Land Rover UK and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), is a big step forward. It’s not a silver bullet — but it shows we’re working at pace to support British industry, create high-quality jobs, and help consumers make the switch to cleaner, cheaper transport.