UK automotive recovery threatened by soaring costs SOARING COSTS Despite reporting the fourth consecutive month of growth, the UK’s automotive recovery is threatened by increasing costs. Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that 49,901 units were built in August – 34 per cent up year-on-year but 45.9 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels. Overall output remains 13.3 [...]
Automotive industry underpaid taxes more than any sector after 143 per cent surge AUTOMOTIVE The automotive sector has seen the highest increase in underpaid taxes, following a 143 per cent year surge. According to financial investigation firm PfP, the amount the HMRC thinks the industry has avoided paying has gone up from £182.3m to more than £444.2m. This will lead to increased industry scrutiny over the next year. But [...]
IEA calls for global ban on petrol and diesel car sales by 2035 BAN The International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for a global ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2035. In a report published today, the intergovernmental agency said that global progress on the transition to net-zero transport is falling short of Paris Agreement targets. The study revealed that electric vehicles need to increase [...]
BAE Systems muscles in on satellite space with defence cluster September 7, 2022 British aerospace and defence giant BAE Systems is set to unveil a satellite cluster later today. The cluster, made up of four satellites, will be focused on earth observation, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and be rented out to businesses and allied governments alike. Much like the smartphone, the satellites will be able to download different [...]
Sigh of relief in Britain’s automotive space as new car market stabilises after months of decline September 5, 2022 New figures show this morning that months of decline in the new car market has come to a halt. Registrations of new cars increased by 1.2 per cent last month compared with August 2021, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Some 68,858 new cars were registered in the first monthly growth [...]
Manufacturing output sinks at fastest rate since early months of Covid pandemic September 1, 2022 Manufacturing production and new orders in the UK slumped last month, sinking at the fastest rate since since the early months of the Covid pandemic two years ago. Firms are experiencing a downturn in the sector, as manufacturers have been hit with a reversal in new orders from domestic and overseas customers. Headwinds have been [...]
Oil prices tumble as demand dips amid weak manufacturing data from China August 1, 2022 Oil prices dropped sharply across both major benchmarks, as weak manufacturing data from China and Europe weighed down demand.
‘Did you hear that?’ Astronomers stunned by strange but persistent ‘heartbeat’ from far-off galaxy July 13, 2022 A strange and persistent radio signal from a far-off galaxy that appears to be flashing in a pattern similar to a heartbeat has been detected by astronomers. It has been classified as a fast radio burst (FRB) – an intensely strong burst of radio waves of unknown astrophysical origin that typically lasts for a few [...]
Forklift maker Manitou infringed JCB’s patent, UK High Court rules July 5, 2022 French forklift manufacturer Manitou infringed JCB’s intellectual property rights through its use of patented stability control systems in its “telehandler” machines, a UK High Court has said. The British heavy vehicle manufacturer is now seeking costs and damages from Manitou, after the court said the French firm infringed JCB’s patent by using patented safety control [...]
UK automotive industry takes another hit as new car registrations drop to worst June since 1996 July 5, 2022 Registrations of new cars fell by around 24 per cent last month compared with June 2021, according to preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this morning. This means the UK automotive industry suffered its worst June for new car sales since 1996. In fact, only around 800,000 new cars were [...]