scott brannan

Automotive sector can be driver behind turbocharged UK industrial and economic growth, says SMMT chief The Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) has said the automotive sector can be the driver behind turbocharged UK industrial and economic growth. In his latest CEO update on Friday, Mike Hawes said: This week’s long-awaited announcement of an industrial strategy, with government’s Invest 2035 green paper, presents a fresh opportunity to turbocharge UK industrial and economic growth. Automotive can be the driver of this and, as SMMT set out in our Vision 2035 report, with the right conditions has the potential to deliver an economic boost worth more than £50bn during the next decade. https://lnkd.in/ecE__aPF

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British commercial vehicle production output growth continues with the best Q1 figures since 2008. Figures also show British car production did fall in March, as manufacturers gear up to make new models, but rounded off Q1 with overall volumes still up 1.1%: https://lnkd.in/e95-H6FB #UKmfg #Manufacturing #Production #Automotive #CommercialVehicles

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I have just been preparing for a meeting with our Suzuki management colleagues in Japan. 🇯🇵 I am due to brief them on the UK BEV sales situation and we are optimising our plans for the Suzuki BEV products that we will launch in the near future. Suffice to say whilst the legislative and environmental trajectory is clear there is a problem that needs addressing. There is a clear disconnect between the popular political narrative and the consumer appetite for the products. Manufacturers are trying hard to generate demand but the long term solution will require a concerted and sustained investment from all of the stakeholders. ⤵️Retail Demand ⤴️Fleet demand ⤴️Premium brands ⤵️Volume brands ⤴️ Discounts ⤵️ Transaction price 🇬🇧Tracking at 15% v 22% ❗️1/10 top brands >22% Top 10 brand ytd ratios VW. 6% BMW. 24% Nissan. 9% Kia. 14% Ford. 3% Audi. 17% Vauxhall. 14% Mercedes. 20% Toyota. 13% Hyundai. 16% #government #intervention #incentive #infrastructure

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Stellantis extends hydrogen powered vans to UK Stellantis has announced that the first customer trials of the Vauxhall Vivaro Hydrogen commercial vehicle in the UK are underway. Already sold in LHD markets by Opel, Vauxhall’s sister brand (in Europe, Vauxhall Motors Ltd is a UK-only brand, while other markets sell the same models under the Opel brand), Stellantis says Vivaro Hydrogen is the first commercially available production hydrogen van. Companies will take part in a fleet evaluation process ahead of UK launch of Movano Hydrogen later this year. Movano Hydrogen will offer a range of up to 311 miles (WLTP) and can be re-fuelled in under five minutes. Orders for Movano Hydrogen in the UK will open later this year, with first customer deliveries expected in 2025. Stellantis says Vauxhall in Britain will be the only manufacturer offering two zero emission solutions (BEV & FCEV), enabling van fleets to choose the one that best suits their operational requirements. Based on the existing fully electric Vivaro Electric, the Vivaro Hydrogen features a 45kW fuel cell and 10.5kWh lithium-ion battery located under the front seats. The 5kg hydrogen fuel tanks located under the floor can be re-filled in just five minutes - about the same time needed to fill up a conventional diesel or petrol vehicle. James Taylor, Managing Director, Vauxhall, said: “As the UK’s best-selling electric van manufacturer for the past three years, we are already leading the way in electrifying Britain’s businesses". #automotive #hydrogen #uk

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MAT Foundry’s rewarding Management Training Programme fast tracks the career progression of budding engineers passionate about shaping the future of the automotive industry. Find out more here.. #manufacturing #career #training

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FUEL CELL TESTING: CamMotive expands UK #hydrogen powertrain test capacity in UK #CamMotive, an e-powertrain development consultancy, has expanded its hydrogen fuel cell testing and development capabilities with the launch of a new facility in #Cambridge, UK. This dedicated test site aims to advance the viability of hydrogen #fuelcell technologies and accelerate innovation in clean energy markets. The development of this test facility is part of CamMotive’s role in a consortium led by Ford Motor Company to build a small fleet of prototype hydrogen fuel cell versions of its electric E-Transit commercial vehicle. The three-year FCVGen2.0 project, announced in May 2023, is partially funded by the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK‘s Collaborative R&D program. “Our objective was to create a test environment to support and accelerate the development cycle for new hydrogen fuel cell technologies, including hardware and control system optimization,” said Bruce Campbell, director of CamMotive. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e3W4Knsc #Automotive #Powertrain #PowertrainMag #Engineering #AutomotiveEngineering #AutomotiveDesign #Sustainability #ElectricVehicles #EV #Testing #Technology #Transportation #AutoTestExpo #GACS

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Ever wondered what happened to Ford and Holden? Let me guess, expensive labour, unions etc.. Well what about this? Have you ever stopped to truly analyse your market? In the automotive world, giants like Holden and Ford once dominated with their mid-size family sedans. But as trends shifted towards luxury SUVs, they missed the mark—an opportunity that could have transformed their future. Are you staying ahead of the curve, or are you stuck in the past? #MarketTrends #BusinessStrategy #AdaptOrDie #ford #holden #luxurysuv

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It’s good to see UK CV production record its best Q1 performance in some 16 years, success testament to the determination of manufacturers to deliver for this vital sector, while investing in the latest cutting edge, ultra low and zero emission technology. Global demand continues for British-built commercial vehicles, emphasising the need for favourable market conditions to sustain our production capabilities for increasingly green vehicles. This means reducing energy costs, upskilling our workforce and maintaining free and fair trade deals, the result of which will allow us to attract further investment to improve productivity and decarbonise automotive manufacturing and its supply chain. https://lnkd.in/ey8CG935

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🇬🇧 British Manufacturing Round-Up: 21st October 🇬🇧 Today, British manufacturing is showing continued resilience and growth as we head into the final quarter of 2024. Manufacturing output saw a 1.1% increase in August, with strong contributions from the automotive and metal products sectors . This momentum is helping to rebuild confidence, as 6 in 10 businesses anticipate improved economic conditions over the next 12 months . 💡 Technology and Innovation: British manufacturers are embracing AI, with 15% of businesses now integrating artificial intelligence to optimize operations . This push towards digital transformation is positioning the UK manufacturing sector as a global leader in tech-driven efficiency and precision. 🌱 Sustainability: While progress is being made, there is still room for growth in sustainability initiatives. Many businesses are stepping up to address climate challenges, but a significant portion has yet to fully adapt to the green transition . As we anticipate the Autumn Statement, the industry is eager for policies that will support innovation, skills development, and sustainability, helping British manufacturing continue its upward trajectory. 🚀 Let’s keep pushing for growth, innovation, and sustainability! #UKManufacturing #Innovation #AI #Sustainability #EconomicGrowth #AutumnStatement #MadeInUK 🇬🇧

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📢 The UK's EV Plans Under Review: What Does This Mean for the Industry? 🚗🔋 The UK government's decision to review its EV strategy and #ZEV mandate could have a significant impact on automakers, suppliers, and the broader logistics network. We have seen the effects of the ZEV mandate already, with Stellantis announcing its plans to close its Vauxhall Ellesmere Port plant, due in part to the annual requirements imposed by the mandate's strict EV output rules. Earlier this year, the CEO of the #OEM, Carlos Tavares, said that Stellantis would not be a "victim" to the UK's ZEV mandate. At the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)'s annual dinner earlier this week, Mike Hawes, CEO of SMMT raised the industry's concerns to business secretary Jonathan Reynolds. Reynolds said: "We know that you need certainty and that’s why we will fast-track the consultation, giving you clarity on the direction of travel and ensuring you have the answers you need in the coming weeks.” This review could reshape EV targets, timelines and investments for the UK and its trading partners. Discover the key insights from industry experts and the challenges ahead. 💬 Share your thoughts: How should the UK balance sustainability goals with manufacturing realities? 📖 Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e5veg-K7 #ElectricVehicles #AutomotiveLogistics #Stellantis #EVStrategy #UKManufacturing #SupplyChain #EV Christopher Ludwig Emily Uwemedimo Anushka Dixit Marcus Williams Megan Kelly Riad Mannan Richard Logan Emma Butcher

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How to measure tyre particulates the size of a human hair. Spent tyre particulates are becoming an environmental concern... #tyres #automotive #tires #automotiveaftermarket https://lnkd.in/eVR83HHx

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🚗 Automotive suppliers view net zero as short-term threat for long-term gain, survey finds More than two thirds of UK automotive component makers (68%) see the transition to net zero as a short-term threat, but almost all (93%) recognise that meeting the challenge of decarbonisation will be vital for their long-term business prospects. The findings come from a BDO poll of C-suite executives at 100 UK automotive component manufacturing companies with turnovers of more than £10m. Faced with the dual challenge of supporting the global transition to low-carbon modes of transport while also having to meet their own net zero targets, component manufacturers do appear to be taking their responsibilities seriously. https://lnkd.in/enTmCcRC

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Screen grab below is from today's statement on Stellantis' Luton plant. From this, it does seem like Jonathan Reynold's main issue with the ZEV mandate is the trading where those who under-perform on EV sales have to buy credits from those who over-perform or else face penalties. But removing trading ("transfers" as he calls it) as the main flexibility mechanism does pretty much undermine the ZEV mandate as a whole, which gets it statutory basis from the Climate Change Act's power for government to introduce emissions trading schemes under secondary legislation. Undermine that trading and the whole legal basis for the ZEV mandate could look a bit iffy surely? Or am I missing something? Matt Finch Ralph Palmer Ben Nelmes

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