UK Car Production Rises

In February, UK car production rose by 14.6% to 79,907 units, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This marks the sixth consecutive month of growth and the best February performance since 2021.

Pretty much all major volume manufacturers experienced gains, fueled primarily by heightened production for the domestic market, which grew by 58.0% to 20,658 units, reflecting an impressive increase of 7,585 units.

Volumes for export also rose by 4.6% to 59,249 after a rise of 2,615 units with 74.1% of all cars made in February being sent abroad. The European Union received the largest proportion of exports (59.9%) followed by the US (14.8%), China (7.1%), Australia (3.3%) and Turkey (2.3%).

The production of electrified vehicles, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid models, remained steady, constituting more than a third (36.3%) of total output for the month. A combined total of 29,038 units were produced, marking a 6.0% increase compared to the previous year. Notably, two-thirds (67.3%) of these electrified models were manufactured for export markets, underscoring the importance of enhancing UK battery production and electric vehicle supply chain capabilities to meet growing demand.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Another month of growth for UK car production is welcome news, reflecting strong demand at home and around the world for the latest British-built cars. The industry is transitioning from internal combustion engine cars to electrified vehicles, building on the massive investment commitments made last year. The UK industry faces stiff competition, however, as global competitors seek to secure new models and technologies so a commitment to our industrial competitiveness, from all political parties in this likely election year, must be maintained.”

Volvo Makes Its Last Diesel Car

Volvo has officially built its last diesel car!

Back in early February, the Volvo plant in Ghent, Belgium, produced its last diesel-powered car, a V60 and now, a few days ago, the plant in Torslanda, Sweden, saw its last XC90 diesel car roll off the production line.

This is a major event in Volvo Cars’ 97-year history as they now take a big step towards their goal of becoming a fully electric car maker by 2040 (and have net zero greenhouse gas emissions).

Goodbye Diesel, Hello Electric

Diesel engines have long played a part in the history and success of Volvo. However, in recent years things have changed. Regulations, customer demand, and people’s increased focus on climate change and alike have meant that electric car sales have dramatically increased.

For example, five years ago, Volvo were selling more diesel cars than any other engine type in their range throughout Europe. Today, most of their European sales are electric! Last year, Volvo increased its sales of fully electric cars by 70 per cent, and its global electric market share by 34 per cent.

Although the future of Volvo will be electric, their current portfolio still includes plug-in hybrids and mild-hybrid models.

Parking Stress

In a recent survey, commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, 49% of Brits said that they find parking stressful and take whatever measures possible to avoid certain manoeuvres.

Additionally, one in four UK drivers said parking with family members in the vehicle is even more stressful.

Of all the parking manoeuvres, reverse parking came out as the most stressful with 15% of the vote.

All of these statistics have led to more than half of UK families (57%) having concerns about buying or using a large car because of parking stress, despite the ever-increasing preference for a larger vehicle.

The average UK garage measures 2.4m x 4.9m. However, the average size of vehicles in the UK continues to increase as a result of greater demand and increased safety legislation. This means that more precise parking manoeuvres are needed to keep your car safe and secure.

This survey was conducted as part of the promotion of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. This is fitted with the new Park Assist Plus with memory function which can automatically reverse park the vehicle in both parallel and perpendicular spaces.

Available across the Volkswagen ID. Range, the Park Assist Plus system can be taught up to five different parking manoeuvres. The function remembers parking manoeuvres at speeds below 40km/h with a travel distance of up to 50 metres – for example, for reversing into a tight bay or garage. The driver just has to park once and save that manoeuvre, enabling the car to complete the same sequence autonomously, in future.

Before carrying out a parking manoeuvre, Park Assist Plus can also search for a parking space. It does this thanks to its intelligent assistance system which detects suitable parallel parking spaces at speeds of up to 40km/h and parking bays at up to 20km/h. Once a suitable spot has been found, the driver presses the brake and activates the parking procedure.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

With 1,121 litres of cargo space, a practical and spacious interior for five, and up to 258 miles of range on a single charge, as well as six USB-C charging points and touchscreen infotainment, the ID. Buzz makes for an interesting family vehicle.

Built on Volkswagen’s electric-first Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB), the ID. Buzz is Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ first factory-built all-electric model, providing customers with the ability to travel in a stylish, zero-emission commercial vehicle.

The Statistics

• A new survey confirms that half of Brits (49%) find parking stressful and take measures to avoid certain manoeuvres
• 40% of respondents say parking is more stressful when members of their family are in the vehicle, while 15% find reverse parking the most stressful manoeuvre
• More than half of UK families (57%) have concerns about buying or using a large car because of ‘parking stress’, despite the growing preference for a larger vehicle

Results are taken from a OnePoll survey of 1,000 drivers, with a family, in the UK, conducted in December 2023, commissioned by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.

100 New Škoda Police Cars In Nottinghamshire

Nottinghamshire Police has recently taken delivery of 100 new Škodas. These will now form part of their expanding emergency vehicle fleet and will be utilised by a range of departments such as driver training, dog units, and road policing.

The force’s current collection of emergency vehicles already includes several Škodas which have been converted for use across a number of functions.

This new delivery comprises of 92 Octavia Estates and eight Superb Estates. The Octavias – 1.5 TSI and 2.0 TDI SE Tech models – will be used in response and neighbourhood policing roles, fitted with emergency warning equipment, full livery kit and light bar on the roof. They will also be used by driver training teams along with the Superb Estates – all in Sportline Plus 2.0 TSI 280 DSG 4×4 spec – which will be used in dog units and road policing roles too.

Vehicles used by the Dog units come with bespoke kennel conversions, developed by Pressfab EVO Limited – one of Škoda’s approved converters – in conjunction with Nottinghamshire Police to meet their specific requirements, with specialist air conditioning and blue light fitment.  Road policing cars get a full blue light fit, ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) and matrix board.