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Motor 1
3 days 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
31-01-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This all-electric Nissan has a ridiculously small size, and price tag that makes it one country's top-selling EV: 'Delightful'
The best-selling electric vehicle in Japan is a tiny, 11-foot long $15,000 city car: the Nissan Sakura, according to InsideEVs. As a stark contrast to the large and expensive best-selling EVs in America, the Sakura is a Kei — a Japanese term indicating a vehicle that meets strict power, size, and engine displacement rules. Kei vehicles must have their power capped at 63 horsepower and be no longer than 11 feet, 2 inches. The Sakura is a mere 4.8 feet wide and 5.4 feet tall. It's also very light, weighing in at just under 2,400 pounds. This tiny and affordable EV is a bestseller for good reason. With its $15,000 starting price and 15 color scheme options (including two-tone variations), this car offers an eco-friendly ride that's affordable and fun. Its 20.0-kilowatt-hour battery allows for 111 miles per charge but can recharge from 10% to 80% in just 20 minutes. Last year, according to Wards Auto, Nissan sold 37,140 Sakuras in Japan. Those customers are saving money on routine maintenance and fuel expenses in exchange for quieter engines and zero tailpipe pollution. For many, buying an EV is an easy choice, while others have some concerns about pollution created during the battery manufacturing and charging process as well as the mining needs for battery elements. While there is progress to be made, even cars with the dirtiest EV batteries are still cleaner than cars without a lithium-ion battery at all. To support the clean energy transition, we need to dig up about 30 million tons of minerals each year. However, roughly 16.5 billion tons of fossil fuels are dug up every single year, and that's what the clean energy transition is trying to replace. EVs are eco-friendly, and many, like the Sakura, are becoming more affordable than ever, allowing more customers to experience the benefits of electric cars. However, InsideEVs reported that Nissan has no plans to make the Sakura available outside of Japan. Do you think EVs are more stylish than gas cars? Definitely No way A few models are Most models are Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. When that time comes, more people will get to enjoy what AutoTrader's Rory Reid called a "delightful" vehicle. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
