Britain’s self-driving vehicle revolution took another step forward this summer with the government announcement of its automated passenger services (APS) scheme, permitting pilot projects for commercial ride-hailing, shuttle and bus services on UK roads from Spring 2026. It is a welcome acceleration towards the introduction of self-driving vehicles. With the right secondary legislation following the […]
The global automotive sector has faced many periods of challenge over the years, but the current set of circumstances are perhaps the most acute in living memory. Economic uncertainty, low demand, structural changes and trade protectionism have all contributed to a first half decline of -11.9% in British car and commercial vehicle production. It represents the sector’s […]
The reduced 15% US tariffs are a relief for Japanese automakers operating in the UK, say leading audit, tax and business advisory firm, Blick Rothenberg. Yusuke Takanishi, a partner at the firm, said: “The 15% tariff agreed between Japan and the US, down from the threatened 25% will be a welcome relief for Japanese automakers […]
This week saw the return of an electric car grant for the first time since 2022 – a welcome move and one that responds to long-term calls by the industry for an incentive to move a market beyond current levels of natural demand. Establishing operational certainty and deployment of the scheme at speed are now critical, however, […]
New figures released today by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that consumer car finance new business volumes fell in May 2025 by 2% compared with the same month in 2024. The corresponding value of new business grew by 1% over the same period. In the first five months of 2025, new business volumes […]
The Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) and the Department for Business and Trade have announced multi-million-pound grants for new zero-emission vehicle and mobility innovation projects. Following the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, and launch of DRIVE35, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has revealed the successful applicants of the latest APC-facilitated funding to enable innovative zero-emission […]
Climate change remains the critical challenge of our time and the automotive industry’s 26th Sustainability Report, published this week by SMMT, shines a light on the significant progress the sector continues to make in driving down its environmental impact. Improvements are visible across both production and market with a -2.4% fall in energy required to make a vehicle, […]
The UK automotive industry is undergoing rapid transformation, driven by cutting-edge technological advancements and a shifting automotive landscape. However, it’s not just the technology that’s evolving – the roles that support this vital sector are also at a crossroads. While many positions remain essential today, some are at risk of disappearing entirely. Recent online UK […]
Carplus, a leading name in UK car finance brokering, is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. Since launching in 2015, the company has grown from a small team into a national operation, now employing over 50 staff and helping thousands of drivers finance their vehicles across the country. Over the past decade, Carplus has built strong partnerships […]
The implementation of the UK-US trade agreement this week was a landmark moment for automotive, one that brings immediate relief to many UK manufacturers for whom the US has long been a crucial export market. It also ensures American consumers can continue to buy vehicles from some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands. While […]
