Tag: Brexit
UK economy in reverse after drop in automotive manufacturing
The UK economy contracted 0.4 per cent compared with the month before, following a sharp decline in automotive manufacturing, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). As a result of the contraction, growth for the three months to April slowed to 0.3 per cent.
UK car manufacturing almost halved in April
British car manufacturing output -44.5 per cent in April, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Just 70,971 cars rolled off production lines during the month as factory shutdowns, rescheduled to mitigate against the expected uncertainty of a 29 March Brexit, took effect in many plants across the UK.
Brexit planning nearly halves UK car production
UK car manufacturing output plummeted in April, with figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showing it was down -44.5 per cent year-on-year. 70,971 cars rolled off production lines in the month, as factory shutdowns, rescheduled to mitigate against the expected uncertainty of a 29 March Brexit, took effect in many plants across the UK.
Honda confirms Swindon closure after phase one of consultation
Honda has confirmed that it will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021. The closure will cause the loss of 3,500 jobs. Honda says that it has reached the conclusion that no viable alternatives to the proposed closure of the Swindon plant have been identified.
SMMT to Parliament: Use Brexit extension purposefully
Like a schoolgirl who left an important project to the last minute and then begged teacher for more time, Teresa May has returned from Brussels with a further extension to Brexit. Now we might need to wait until 31 October to discover how the future relationship between the UK and EU will look. The head of the body representing the UK automotive industry considers this waiting and further waiting untenable.
Vellco offering Brexit-proof service
Vellco Tyre Control has reassured its partners and customers of its ability to continue providing the same level of product and service delivery even in the event of a No Deal Brexit. It says it “will remain a dependable supplier of casings across the EU Zone” regardless of the “potential turbulent post-Brexit environment.”
No-deal Brexit ‘will force local production to increase’ – University of Cologne prof
Supply chains will be destroyed because of stricter border controls and, as a result of a no-deal Brexit, we could be forced to buy more local products, according to an expert from the University of Cologne.
Ford starts exporting cars from South Africa to Europe
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) is expanding its vehicle export operations by adopting a multi-port strategy with the first shipment of 1000 locally assembled Ford Rangers from Port Elizabeth to markets in Europe.
Infiniti withdrawing from Europe by 2020
Infiniti Motor Company has announced a restructuring plan that will result in its withdrawal from Western Europe in early 2020. In practical terms this means production of the Q30 and QX30, which are made at the Nissan plant in Sunderland, UK will cease by mid-2019.
Brexit OE tyre red-alert
Is Brexit going to wreak havoc on the automotive business or is it all just another millennium bug flash-in-the-pan? If a no-deal withdrawal does spell havoc, is it going to impact the tyre business as much as the OEMs?
Moody’s: “Credit negative for automakers” would result in more factory closures
A no-deal Brexit “will change operating landscape for global auto industry”, according to credit analysts at Moody’s. Specifically they report that they expect Japanese, UK and some German automakers will see profits hit due to 10 per cent auto tariff and through their exposure to production and trade disruptions. And, suggesting that we should expect further closures, they added that the news would affect “production strategies in the UK and across Europe”.
Finding success in an increasingly complex sector
Michelin has long been a leading player in the truck and bus tyre markets, with customers ranging from some of the largest fleets out there to owner operators. And yet, recent years have been tough for everyone in the commercial vehicle segment as the forces of economic uncertainty combined with a tidal wave of low-cost Chinese tyres have put pressure on businesses. As we approach Brexit, roughly a year after anti-Chinese truck tyre imports were implemented, Tyres & Accessories spoke to Michelin business-to-business sales director, Chris Smith as well as Andrew French (Michelin director services) and solutions in order to find out more.
Buying British-made cars ‘could help bolster UK car industry’
Honda is closing its Swindon plant, which built 160,000 Honda Civics last year; Nissan has reversed its decision to build the new X-Trail SUV in Sunderland; and The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned in January that the car industry in the UK is on ‘red alert’, rocked by a five year low in production.
Absolute Alignment triples stock ahead of Brexit
Four wheel alignment technology provider Absolute Alignment has tripled stock levels over the last three months in preparation for Brexit. The Farnborough-based company states that it has ensured that all wheel alignment equipment featured on the Absolute Alignment website will still be available for next day delivery throughout the spring and not subject to any delays in reaching customers.
Brexit, the continuing saga
We were told that 29 March was the Brexit deadline. As we go to press in the week after that deadline passed, it is clear that we don’t know either when or how we are going to Brexit. As we discussed last month, the consensus amongst analysts and the automotive industry is that there will be a massive negative impact on vehicle manufacturing (and therefore automotive suppliers) in the UK. But what else do we have to look forward to?
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