Automotive News – Late February 2025
Estimated reading time 6 minutes
Netherlands-based Boels Rental has ordered more than 700 JCB machines including tracked and wheeled excavators, wheeled loading shovels, Load-all telescopic handlers, rotating telescopic handlers, electric scissor lifts and electric site dumpers. The deal includes the introduction to the Boels’ fleet of a large volume of the recently launched 145XR X Series tracked excavators. Delivery of the machines will be completed in the next few months.
JCB has now supplied more than 3,000 machines to Boels Rental since the first was sold in 2012. https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/jcb-lands-65m-dutch-deal
Just 0.5% of the trucks sold in the UK in 2024 were zero-emission models, prompting industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to call for “urgent” policy support.
The SMMT has today (17 February) released registration numbers concerning new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in 2024.
Its data confirms that almost 45,000 HGVs were registered in 2024, making this the industry’s second-best annual performance in a five-year period. But just 0.5% of these HGVs were zero-emission, with the total number of units registered falling by 7.3% and the market share remaining stagnant. https://www.edie.net/britains-zero-emission-hgv-market-struggles-but-buses-keep-decarbonising/
Demand for used EVs rises to record levels as second-hand car market grows in 2024.
- Used car transactions grow 5.5% in 2024 after eight consecutive quarters of growth, with 7,643,180 vehicles changing hands.
- Pre-loved EVs boast record demand, rising 57.4% to 188,382 units and taking 2.5% of the market.
- Black remains top colour choice, with superminis the most popular car type.
The UK’s used car market grew by 5.5% to 7,643,180 transactions in 2024, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Marking eight quarters of continuous growth, the year saw 400,488 more vehicles change hands than in 2023, with growth in the new car market fuelling availability and wider choice within the used sector. Transactions rose in every month in 2024, as they did in 2023, with Q4 up 4.0% to 1,746,051 units.
Zero emission truck demand stagnates as overall market normalises.
- Heavy goods vehicle registrations fall by -2.7% in 2024 after three years of solid growth.
- Decline driven by falling demand for largest HGVs, with rises in box, curtain-sided and tipper trucks.
- Zero emission truck uptake stagnant at 0.5% of overall demand – with almost three quarters of market required to go green in next decade.
The UK’s new heavy goods vehicle (HGV) market fell for the first time in three years in 2024 with registrations down by -2.7%, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The decline, however, including a -3.3% drop in quarter four, is compared with a strong 2023 which was the busiest year of truck fleet renewal since 2019. Indeed, with 44,988 new registrations last year, it means 2024 is the second-best annual performance across that five-year period.
Britain’s bus market soars to 16 year high and remains Europe’s biggest zero emission buyer.
- Deliveries of new buses, coaches and minibuses reach 16-year high with 8,390 joining UK roads.
- Demand rises across all segments, with minibuses and double-deckers boasting strongest growth.
- UK still Europe’s biggest zero emission bus market, with deliveries up by more than a third in 2024.
The UK’s new bus, coach and minibus market has strengthened its recovery, recording a second consecutive year of growth and the best annual performance since 2008, according to the latest figures publish3ed today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A 70.1% increase in registrations saw 8,390 buses join Britain’s roads in 2024 to become the largest overall European bus market, reflecting growing operator confidence in ridership levels and substantial government funding for zero emission technologies. https://www.smmt.co.uk/2025/02/britains-bus-market-soars-to-16-year-high-and-remains-europes-biggest-zero-emission-buyer/
BMW has confirmed it is delaying the reintroduction of electric vehicle production at its Oxford Mini plant. The vehicle manufacturer said “multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry” had led to its decision to pause work on the £600m upgrade of its plant in Cowley.
It said it had decided not to accept a related £60m grant from the government but remained in “close dialogue”.
The UK automotive industry has been in a long-running debate with the government over its targets for electric vehicle production. Car makers have argued that the number of electric vehicles they are expected to sell in this and coming years is too high. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg5erp7zw2o
Drivers, cabbies and businesses are set to benefit from £120 million in government funding to make the switch to cleaner vans, wheelchair accessible vehicles and taxis easier, faster and cheaper.
Today (25 February 2025) Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood confirmed that the department is extending the Plug-in van grant for another year, to help van drivers and businesses transition to zero emission vehicles. The extension will mean businesses and van drivers can receive grants up to £2,500 when buying small vans up to 2.5 tonnes and up to £5,000 for larger vans up to 4.25 tonnes.
The Plug-in van grant has helped sell over 80,000 electric and zero emission vans since its launch, as the government continues to back businesses all over the country.
Luxury car manufacturer Aston Martin is proposing to cut 170 jobs in a drive to boost productivity. New CEO Adrian Hallmark said 5% of its global workforce will depart, making savings of £25m, as the manufacturer looks to ‘optimise’ its structure and deliver long-term growth.
In its preliminary results for 2024, Aston Martin reported a wider annual loss of £289.1m and a 3% drop in revenue to £1.58bn.
Industry-wide supply chain disruptions and continued macroeconomic weakness in China hit profits, leading to the manufacturer slashing wholesale production volumes by 1,000 cars (9%).
Car manufacturer Nissan has cancelled a production shift at its UK factory as part of efforts to improve efficiency. The Sunderland plant has cancelled its Line 1 late shift and will instead focus its resources on Line 2, where the new Nissan Leaf will be built. A spokesperson for the company said no jobs would be lost because of the changes.
Trade union Unite said it was working to “mitigate any potential pay reductions” for staff who might be affected by the change in shift patterns.
While no jobs are being lost, Nissan said some staff would be moving from Line 1 to Line 2.
