Automotive News – Late March 2025
Estimated reading time 3 minutes
Car output down as sector calls for measures to boost manufacturing and market competitiveness.
- Combined car and commercial vehicle production declines -11.6% to 82,178 units in February.
- Car output falls for 12th month in a row, down -7.6% to 73,814 units, with CV volumes declining -35.9% to 8,364 units.
- As Spring Statement announced, industry calls for measures to boost UK EV market and industrial competitiveness.
UK car and commercial vehicle production declined -11.6% in February, to 82,178 units, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Manufacturers turned out 10,787 fewer cars, vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches than in February the year before, with multiple factors at play, notably soft markets at home and overseas, model changeovers and plant restructuring
Perseus, a new British-headquartered premium passenger-car EV brand, has emerged from stealth mode and announced preliminary plans for its debut model – a compact SUV.
The company has also provided initial details of the development and commercialisation strategy to bring the vehicle to European markets by late 2027.
Adhering to a highly efficient, scalable, asset-light/capex-light business model, Perseus has established soon-to-be-announced global OEM and Tier-1 partnerships required to bring its first vehicle to mass-market production.
JLR is recruiting 150 maintenance technicians in the West Midlands to boost its electrification strategy.
Of the 150 roles, JLR is recruiting 50 technicians for its Solihull plant. These roles will maintain automated manufacturing equipment essential to the production of Range Rover Electric, which is launching later this year. The remaining 100 maintenance roles are based at JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre (EMPC) in Wolverhampton.
Luxury car maker, Bentley Motors, has suffered declines in its annual revenues and profits, despite record levels of personalisation by its customers.
The Crewe-based motor manufacturer reported revenues of £2.23bn for 2024, compared with £2.47bn the previous year. Operating profits were £314.05m, down from £495.91m in 2023.
However, Bentley say the figures represent its sixth consecutive year of profitability which will help to self-finance a record site investment, underlining a long-term commitment to UK manufacturing as Bentley prepares to introduce its first BEV (electric vehicle) to the market in 2027.
Toyota is launching the first-ever Toyota Circular Factory (TCF) at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. The facility will process end-of-life vehicles to maximise environmental benefits through recycling, repurposing and remanufacturing parts.
In its first phase, starting later this year, the factory will handle 10,000 vehicles annually, recovering valuable parts and raw materials. The second phase will expand TCF across Europe and beyond, collaborating with partners focused on sustainability. https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/eastmidlands/news/2096092-toyota-launches-first-ever-circular-factory-at-derbyshire-plant
Aston Martin is to sell its £74m minority investment in the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team as part of its plans to increase the luxury car maker’s liquidity.
The consortium led by the group’s executive chairman Lawrence Stroll is to commit a further £52.5m into the business. The investment is priced at a 7% premium to Friday’s closing share price, and takes the consortium’s stake up to one-third of the company.
Aston Martin has a long-term F1 sponsorship agreement with the racing team, which was extended last year, which means the brand “will remain present and competing at the pinnacle of motorsport for many years to come”.
