Speculation that Michael Gove will ban the sale of some new hybrid cars is creating unnecessary confusion in the industry and among consumers, says Colliers International’s Automotive Viewpoint report.
The National Franchised Dealers Association has welcomed business secretary Greg Clark’s approach toward greener diesels in the forthcoming Road to Zero policy.
MP swaps The Houses of Parliament for car auction house Member of Parliament The Rt Hon Sir Oliver Heald QC MP swapped The Houses of Parliament for the auction house with a visit to Letchworth Motor Auctions. Heald visited the auction group’s Hertfordshire facility as part of a fact-finding opportunity organised by the National Association of Motor Auctions (NAMA) member. The MP for North East Hertfordshire, was keen to take up the offer of a site visit as part of a bid to gain a better understanding of how motor auctions are operated and see the employment and business opportunities available in the sector. NAMA said in a statement “It was also an opportunity for him to see the significance of the site to the local economy”. Louise Wallis, head of NAMA, was on hand to highlight to Sir Oliver Heald a number of industry issues, including Brexit, the changing legislation and consumer approaches to diesel-fuelled vehicles, mileage fraud and debit card charges which are costing the industry almost £1.8 million a year. Wallis said: “The visit provided an opportunity for Sir Oliver Heald to find out more about the Letchworth Motor Auctions, and the importance of motor actions to the UK economy.”
The Institute for the Motor Industry has presented new information related to the regulation of technicians working on electric vehicles to the Parliamentary Secretary of State for the Department for Transport.
The Government’s gender pay gap reporting demands could “remove barriers” and create greater opportunities for women to rise to the top of the automotive retail sector, it has been suggested.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has set out its priorities to assure the UK automotive industry’s future success – a year ahead of Brexit.
Government has granted local authorities an additional £100 million to help repair potholes caused by ice and snow.
Government remains cool on the prospect of targeted regional car scrappage schemes as part of local authority’s various bids to combat the UK’s worst emissions hotspots.
Franchised car dealers in Derby could be set to share a slice of “a targeted local scrappage scheme” if the local authority’s plans for a Government-backed programme to improve air quality get the green light.
Franchised car retailers in the North West should be filling their workshops with vehicles damaged by the capital’s gaping pot holes, according to data which suggests vehicles have sustained £915 million of damage due to rutted roads.
The Government’s mixed messages on diesel emissions has left car buyers uncertain about their next vehicle purchase, a survey carried out by the AA has found.
A cross-party group of MPs has called for car manufacturers to fund a new Clean Air Act which would “enshrine the right to clean air in UK law”.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer vowed to champion “the great British white van driver” with a review of VED rates and brought forward the business rates review in his Spring Statement 2018. In a speech in the Commons which laid out GDP growth and reducing debt levels predicted by the latest OBR reports, the Philip Hammond said that he aimed to “champion business” with the measures. Addressing the house, he said that a review of business rates would now take place in 2021 in a move that would also usher-in “triennial reviews from then on”. He said this came on top of a review of business rates, which resulted from the Autumn Budget, which he claimed would reduce rates for small business by over £10 billion. An £80 million fund was also announced to help small businesses in their recruitment of apprentices in light of the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy last year. Mr Hammond said that the move had come in recognition of the “changes the system represents”. In a move that the chancellor would “help the great British white van driver”, the Chancellor said that a review of VED road tax would look to bring in a reduction in expense for the greenest commercial vehicles. The OBR’s latest predictions for economic growth in the UK were revised up from 1.4% to 1.5% for 2018, with 1.3% growth in 2019 and 2020 before a rise to 1.4% in 2021 and 1.5% in 2022. Paul Johnson, at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, moved quickly to dispel any suggestion that the revised forecast was worthy of celebration, however. In a Tweet posted during the Chancellor’s speech, he said: “Against a long term trend of at least 2% a year growth, after poor growth since 2008, and compared with growth across rest of OECD, these are not encouraging forecasts.”
Two automotive retailers were named in the Government’s latest list to name and shame employers that failed to pay the legal minimum wage.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders have led calls for a change in government policy to help lower CO2 emissions after the total UK fleet recorded an increase of 0.8% during 2017.
The National Franchised Dealers Association is among automotive sector representatives who have given evidence to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee ahead of a publication of a report into EV adoption.
MPs have called for the return Motability scheme funds to the treasury after it emerged that the charity was holding on to £2.4 billion after “decades” of underspending to the tune of more than £200 million-per-year.
Car retailers face a £158.5 million tax rise over the next five years as “further increased liabilities if investing” place further pressure on an industry which has lost one-in-ten locations since 2009.
The UK government plans a law change which will hold vehicle importers and dealer-distributors to account if vehicles are sold with emissions defeat devices.
The Government has announced a £9.8 million investment in a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) charging trial, led by Nissan.