FCA proposes extending coronavirus consumer credit payment holiday June 19, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed allowing consumers to extend a payment freeze on their credit cards by a further three months to support borrowers struggling financially amid the coronavirus pandemic. Under the proposals from the markets watchdog, those who have not yet asked for a payment freeze on credit cards or for an [...]
OECD: UK economy to take world’s biggest hit from Covid-19 June 10, 2020 The UK will suffer the largest economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic among major nations this year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has warned. Predicting that the UK economy could contract between 11.5 and 14 per cent in 2020, the organisation said Covid-19 represents the biggest peacetime economic downturn in a century [...]
UK car industry flatlines as just 197 cars built in April May 29, 2020 The UK car industry made just 197 cars in April as the shuttering of factories due to the coronavirus pandemic sent production flatlining. Total production dropped 99.7 per cent, with the lowest number of cars built in one month since the Second World War, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and [...]
Jaguar Land Rover in talks over government loan May 25, 2020 Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly in talks with the government to secure a loan due to the financial impact of Covid-19. The carmaker submitted the largest bespoke loan request of the coronavirus crisis to ministers in recent weeks, according to Sky News. Jaguar Land Rover has seen sales plunge by more than 30 per cent [...]
Nissan weighing 20,000 job cuts as car sales struggle May 22, 2020 Japanese car company Nissan is reportedly considering cutting 20,000 jobs with a focus on Europe and developing countries as car sales plunge following coronavirus crisis. The potential cuts come as Nissan prepares to announce its updated mid-term strategy next week. Profits at Nissan have been struggling for the last three years and the coronavirus has [...]
Close Brothers’ securities division helps to offset coronavirus impact May 22, 2020 A strong performance in Close Brothers Group’s securities division partially offset the impact of the coronavirus on the banking group in the third quarter. Winterflood Securities experienced a substantial increase in trading volumes since the coronavirus outbreak. The figures In Close Brothers’ banking division, the loan book reduced slightly in the third quarter. It decreased [...]
SMMT: UK coronavirus crisis wipes out April car sales May 5, 2020 New car sales have tanked 97 per cent amid the UK coronavirus crisis, according to new stats from an industry body today. That effectively means new UK car sales ground to a halt in April, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said. Just 4,321 cars were sold over the month – 70 per cent [...]
Volkswagen warns manufacturing costs set to rise as car demand collapses May 5, 2020 Volkswagen has warned that the car industry is likely to come under even more pressure as parts makers increase the prices of crucial components due to the coronavirus pandemic. Speaking to the Financial Times, Volkswagen’s board member for procurement Stefan Sommer said that some suppliers were raising prices to offset the fact that they are [...]
Exclusive: Car industry calls for coronavirus stimulus to jumpstart recovery May 4, 2020 The UK car industry has called for a government stimulus package and extended furlough support to help it recover from the coronavirus crisis. Speaking to City A.M., Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said the government will need to jumpstart the sector in order to get demand going [...]
FCA confirms three-month freeze for car finance payments April 24, 2020 The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has confirmed a three-month payment freeze for car finance payments, ruling out repossessions of vehicles during the coronavirus pandemic. Firms will freeze payments for customers facing difficulties meeting finance or leasing payments due to coronavirus. The financial watchdog said firms should also not take steps to end the agreement or [...]