• Car Dealer Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
No Result
View All Result

Record turnover as UK automotive sector accelerates to historic high

Colin Channon by Colin Channon
June 30, 2015
0
Home News

SMMT_Master_Brandline_(RGB)NEW figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirm the growing strength and vitality of the UK automotive industry and its ascendancy as a major global player.

SMMT’s 16th annual Sustainability Report confirms the sector is breaking new records, with turnover hitting an all-time high of £69.5 billion in 2014.

Manufacturing output, vehicle sales, jobs and export values also grew, while the environmental impact from vehicle production has been reduced dramatically.

The latest figures confirm an upward trend for new vehicle demand and manufacturing output, with almost 1.6 million vehicles built in 2014. Last year, car production alone grew to 1.53 million units – the highest level since 2007 – with an increasing number of vehicles built for the domestic new-car market, which itself grew 9.3 per cent to reach 2.48 million registrations last year. On current trends, UK car output is expected to reach an all-time record level of 1.95 million vehicles in the next two years.

Meanwhile, investment in more efficient, hi-tech manufacturing processes has led to huge gains in productivity. In each of the five years to 2014, an average of 11.5 vehicles were produced for every person employed in the industry, compared with 9.3 vehicles for the period from 2005 to 2009.

Despite greater production volumes, environmental impact has been significantly reduced. Total waste to landfill from all automotive production fell by more than a quarter (26.3 per cent) in 2014, and an exceptional 92.3 per cent since 2000. Meanwhile, water and energy use fell by 10.7 per cent and 10.4 per cent respectively, and CO2 emissions per vehicle produced fell by five per cent compared with 2013.

Industry has also made considerable improvement to its already outstanding safety record with the number of workplace incidents per 1,000 employees falling to an all-time low of 2.2 – down 83.9 per cent on 2002, when data was first collected.

Mike Hawes
Mike Hawes

Mike Hawes, SMMT’s chief executive, said: ‘The UK automotive industry can be proud of its achievements as it continues to set new standards. The sector is delivering growth in volumes, turnover and employment, while reducing its environmental impact.

‘Continuing to expand in a fiercely-competitive global market is a major challenge and will depend on a supportive economic and regulatory environment which promotes investment to foster innovation and continuing productivity improvements.’

Large investments are still being committed to new and expanded production facilities in the UK, resulting in significant sector-wide recruitment, with an additional 27,000 jobs created in 2014 – a 3.5 per cent increase on the previous year. The number of people employed in automotive (including manufacturing and retail) now stands at 799,000, with the average worker responsible for generating £440,000 in turnover for the sector. Investment in skills has also been crucial with employee training up by more than a third (35.2 per cent) and some 500 new apprentices and trainees taken on by the sector last year. 

International demand for British-made vehicles also continues to increase with total export value rising 1.8 per cent to £34.6 billion – a staggering 103.8 per cent uplift since 2000. It adds up to a considerable increase in the industry’s direct contribution to the British economy, rising 6.2 per cent to £15.5 billion last year.

The figures are further evidence of UK automotive’s renaissance, as the sector continues to innovate and invest huge sums in research and development to meet ever-stricter targets on CO2 emissions and air quality, and capitalise on global megatrends such as connectivity and intelligent mobility.

MORE: Chancellor urged not to increase fuel tax duty in Budget

MORE: New-car discounts dry up as sales boom continues, says What Car?

MORE: Dealers urged to spell out finance options on their websites

MORE: Mitsubishi dealership strikes up winning partnership with cricket club

On superunleaded.com – Highlights Of The Goodwood Festival Of Speed

Previous Post

Chancellor urged not to increase fuel tax duty in Budget

Next Post

It’s official – Bangers4Ben 2015 has sold out!

Related Posts

Less demand at home and abroad sees car production drop by nearly a fifth
News

Car dealers blast manufacturers for continuing to impose sales targets during lockdown 3 as ‘morally wrong’

January 12, 2021
Ben launches ‘Breakout for Ben’ industry challenge to raise £1m
News

Ben launches ‘Breakout for Ben’ industry challenge to raise £1m

January 12, 2021
CarGurus and Pistonheads combine into one product to increase audience reach
News

CarGurus and Pistonheads combine into one product to increase audience reach

January 12, 2021
News

Auto Trader’s Rebecca Clark wins top gong in Automotive 30% Club’s most inspiring women of the year awards

January 12, 2021
Carwow enjoys healthy car sales in June – despite nationwide drop
News

Car dealers are ready for action in spite of lockdown, survey reveals

January 12, 2021
Jan 12 round-up: Covid rule-breakers fined; Supermarket mask clampdown; New traveller rules; VW e-Golf values
News

Jan 12 round-up: Covid rule-breakers fined; Supermarket mask clampdown; New traveller rules; VW e-Golf values

January 12, 2021

Want to receive the latest news?

Sign up to the Car Dealer daily news briefing for the latest news and advice during these unprecedented times.

Subscribe Now
Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK
Car Dealer Top 100

Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK

December 21, 2020
Used Car Awards Shortlist: Find out who made it through mystery shopping and are now in running for our gongs
News

Used Car Awards Shortlist: Find out who made it through mystery shopping and are now in running for our gongs

January 6, 2021
Investigation: Should car dealers be selling and delivering during lockdown?
News

What do we know about online used car dealer Cazoo? Who is Alex Chesterman? And will Cazoo float on the stock market?

January 5, 2021
Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice
News

Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice

January 5, 2021
Used car dealer Cazoo accused of online-only U-turn as it sets up physical sites and closes Imperial dealerships
News

Comment: Why Cazoo founder was naive to label this used car sales business as ‘flawed at every level’

December 1, 2020
Car Dealer Power

Car Manufacturer of the Year – Where did your manufacturer rank in Car Dealer Power 2020?

November 23, 2020
Investigation: What do car buyers want from online car sales? New research reveals customers’ likes and dislikes
Car Dealer Live

Investigation: What do car buyers want from online car sales? New research reveals customers’ likes and dislikes

November 28, 2020
Car Dealer Power

The best car dealer suppliers named in the Car Dealer Power Awards 2020

November 26, 2020
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
Call us: 020 8125 3880

© 2020 Blackball Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Car Dealer Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100

© 2020 Blackball Media

Log In
Register
Register
Server C