Latest news with #Hawes
Motor 1
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
UK Car Production Falls to Lowest Levels in 70 Years
Vehicle production in the United Kingdom fell to its lowest level in 70 years after a combination of poor holiday timing and tariff uncertainty, according to Wards Auto . Citing the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK built just 59,203 units in April, the lowest monthly level since 1952, save for a handful of lockdown months during the pandemic in 2020. The dismal production month can be blamed on a series of factors. A late Easter holiday, which took place in April this year, sliced into production time. Model changeovers, which forced automakers to pause production lines for upgrades, also ate into the overall output. The biggest factor continues to be US auto tariffs, which, as of this writing, sit at 10 percent for up to 100,000 vehicles annually. Photo by: Rolls-Royce SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the UK has seen "its toughest start" to manufacturing since 2009, when the economy was still dealing with the financial crisis caused by subprime mortgage lending in the United States. "Urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness," Hawes said in a statement . "Government has recognized automotive manufacturing's critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month." April production represents a 15.8-percent decline compared to the same period last year. Looking deeper, passenger vehicles saw an 8.6-percent decline to 56,534 units, while commercial vehicles saw a more substantial 68.6-percent decline to just 2,669 units. Wards attributes the drop to a plant closure and the "normalizing of demand" for commercial vehicles following a post-pandemic boom. Tariffs might be causing uncertainty, but the UK's main export region is still Europe. Shipments to the mainland fell 19.1 percent in April—but still represented more than half of all exports. The number of vehicles sent to the US fell by 2.7 percent in the same period. Meanwhile, shipments to China and Türkyie jumped 44 percent and 31.2 percent, respectively. So it's not all doom and gloom. "To take advantage of these trading opportunities, we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy," said Hawes. "Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonization will flow across the UK." More on the UK A UK Company Is Bringing V-6-Powered Miatas to America Lister Pauses New Car Development Over UK Combustion Ban Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Man accused of trying to ‘engage in sexual activities' with child arrested in Darke County
An 18-year-old man accused of trying to engage in sexual conduct with a child was arrested on Tuesday, according to Greenville Police Department Detective Jackie Hawes. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Braden Denny, 18, reportedly arranged to pick up a girl he believed was 13 years old and 'engage in sexual activities within the city of Greenville.' TRENDING STORIES: 13-year-old boy killed after falling off trailer during Memorial Day parade identified Miami Valley native known for 'Hang On Sloopy' and 'Weird Al' hits dies Man fishing under Ohio train bridge saves 14-month-old hit by train Investigators pulled over Denny at Tecumseh and E Main Street just before 2 p.m. Hawes said Denny was on his way to meet the girl at this time. He was arrested on an importuning charge and taken to the Darke County Jail. Hawes said this investigation started after police received multiple reports that Denny was allegedly trying to, or actively, engage in sexual conduct with children. At the time of writing, jail records show that Denny is no longer in custody. Anyone who wants to report suspicious or criminal activity in Greenville is asked to call the department at (937) 548-1103. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
South Wales Guardian
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Trade deal on UK car exports to US ‘a floor rather than a ceiling'
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), described the agreement as 'absolutely vital'. The trade deal was confirmed in a call between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump on May 8. It included American tariffs on UK cars falling to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported to the US. Mr Trump had previously set the tariff rate on car exports to the US at 27.5%. UK car makers were intensely worried about the impact tariffs on their industry would have had if left unchecked. Mr Hawes said the details of the agreement 'will be reviewed' and 'we view this as the floor rather than the ceiling'. He went on: 'Ultimately, we want to demonstrate that the UK industry and the exports we make are not in competition with US manufacturers. 'We hope to get this implemented urgently, because manufacturers have vehicles ready to ship, but don't know how to price them.' Mr Hawes said Mr Trump's initial tariff plans meant the UK's automotive industry 'faced an existential threat' and 'orders stopped overnight' as buyers chose to 'wait and see what happens'. He continued: 'Getting a deal was absolutely vital for the industry.' Mr Hawes said the UK Government deserves 'a tremendous amount of credit' as it was 'first in line to get a deal' with the US, and automotive was 'at the very top of their list of priorities'.
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Argus
Trade deal on UK car exports to US ‘a floor rather than a ceiling'
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), described the agreement as 'absolutely vital'. The trade deal was confirmed in a call between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump on May 8. It included American tariffs on UK cars falling to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported to the US. Mr Trump had previously set the tariff rate on car exports to the US at 27.5%. UK car makers were intensely worried about the impact tariffs on their industry would have had if left unchecked. Mr Hawes said the details of the agreement 'will be reviewed' and 'we view this as the floor rather than the ceiling'. He went on: 'Ultimately, we want to demonstrate that the UK industry and the exports we make are not in competition with US manufacturers. 'We hope to get this implemented urgently, because manufacturers have vehicles ready to ship, but don't know how to price them.' Mr Hawes said Mr Trump's initial tariff plans meant the UK's automotive industry 'faced an existential threat' and 'orders stopped overnight' as buyers chose to 'wait and see what happens'. He continued: 'Getting a deal was absolutely vital for the industry.' Mr Hawes said the UK Government deserves 'a tremendous amount of credit' as it was 'first in line to get a deal' with the US, and automotive was 'at the very top of their list of priorities'.
Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Powys County Times
Trade deal on UK car exports to US ‘a floor rather than a ceiling'
Automotive components of the UK-US trade deal confirmed last week should be seen as 'a floor rather than a ceiling', an industry leader said. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), described the agreement as 'absolutely vital'. The trade deal was confirmed in a call between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump on May 8. It included American tariffs on UK cars falling to 10% for the first 100,000 vehicles exported to the US. Mr Trump had previously set the tariff rate on car exports to the US at 27.5%. UK car makers were intensely worried about the impact tariffs on their industry would have had if left unchecked. Mr Hawes said the details of the agreement 'will be reviewed' and 'we view this as the floor rather than the ceiling'. He went on: 'Ultimately, we want to demonstrate that the UK industry and the exports we make are not in competition with US manufacturers. 'We hope to get this implemented urgently, because manufacturers have vehicles ready to ship, but don't know how to price them.' Mr Hawes said Mr Trump's initial tariff plans meant the UK's automotive industry 'faced an existential threat' and 'orders stopped overnight' as buyers chose to 'wait and see what happens'. He continued: 'Getting a deal was absolutely vital for the industry.' Mr Hawes said the UK Government deserves 'a tremendous amount of credit' as it was 'first in line to get a deal' with the US, and automotive was 'at the very top of their list of priorities'.
