Automotive News – Early July 2025
Estimated reading time 4 minutes
New light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations shrank by -12.1% to 156,048 units in the first half of 2025, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). With a -14.8% drop in June, the market declined for the seventh consecutive month, rounding off the worst opening half-year performance since 2022 amid a tough economic environment and weak business confidence to invest in fleet renewal.
Year-to-date performance was led by declining demand for the largest vans, by -14.8% with 99,790 registered, as well as deliveries of medium sized vans, down -20.9% to 26,408 units. 4×4 uptake also fell, by -6.0% to 4,041 units. There was growth, however, in demand for small vans, up 30.7% to 4,907 units, but could not soften the overall market decline as a lower volume segment.
The UK’s new car market grew for the second consecutive month in June, as registrations rose 6.7% to 191,316 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It was the best June since 2019, helping lift first half performance 3.5% above the same period last year, although the market remains -17.9% behind pre-Covid levels.
Sportscar maker Lotus has declared it has “no plans” to close any factory after it emerged the company was considering setting up a new plant in the US. The BBC understands the firm had been considering ending production at its plant in Hethel, Norfolk, which would put 1,300 jobs at risk.
In a statement on X, external, it said: “Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, there are no plans to close any factory,” but admitted it was “actively exploring” options in the global market.
Lotus Cars and Chinese-owner Geely met Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds on Sunday, and he “was reassured by management that they are committed to their UK operations and have no plans to close their Hethel plant”.
Jaguar Land Rover said its wholesale and retail sales volumes for the first quarter of financial year 2026 – three months to June 20 – reduced, in line with the company’s expectations, following a “challenging quarter”.
This largely reflects the planned wind down of legacy Jaguar models ahead of the launch of new Jaguar, and a pause in shipments to the US during April 2025 following the introduction of US import tariffs.
As part of the transformation of Jaguar to a new portfolio of electric vehicles, production of Jaguar XE, XF and F‑TYPE, produced at Castle Bromwich, ended in May 2024, while I‑PACE and E‑PACE, produced in Austria, ended in December 2024.
Drivers across England are set to benefit as the government today (13 July 2025) announces a £63 million investment package to supercharge Britain’s electric vehicle infrastructure, driving down charging costs and putting money back in the pockets of working people as part of the Plan for Change.
A pioneering £25 million scheme for local authorities will expand access to cheaper at-home charging. This will provide access to cheaper household rates, allowing consumers to save up to £1,500 a year compared to running a petrol or diesel car, transforming how thousands of households without driveways power up their electric cars.
UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.
Government is today announcing the launch of DRIVE35, comprising new and improved funding competitions that will support UK businesses. The programme will fund a wide spectrum of projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing – targeting established high-volume manufacturing and multi-billion-pound gigafactories, all the way to start-ups, prototypes and cutting-edge automotive innovation.
The new programme was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will commit £2 billion in funding to 2030 alongside an additional £500m for research and development to 2035, signalling a ten-year commitment to UK automotive innovation.
