“A no-deal Brexit, or a deal that throws up
barriers and tariffs. would be catastrophic for Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port
workers and the UK car industry and make plants inefficient, components
less attractive and cars built in the UK more expensive for export. “Unite is in continuing discussions with PSA.
We will not sit back and allow PSA Group to walk away from making cars in
the UK to then sell cars made elsewhere back into what is the fifth
biggest car market in the world. The workforce stands ready to do everything in
its power to protect Ellesmere Port jobs and will fight tooth and nail to
safeguard car production volumes at the plant."
The car industry lobby group Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has written to newly minted prime minister Boris Johnson, telling him its wants, including a battery factory for electric cars:
supporting
the transition to zero emission vehicles by investing in infrastructure,
incentives and securing a gigafactory in the UK.
making
the UK the most attractive destination for investors, creating an
internationally competitive business environment.
above
all, ensuring the sector continues to enjoy preferential trade with
critical markets around the world, including the EU. ‘No deal’ Brexit is
simply not an option.
Nissan says total industry volume remained weak during the first quarter, and Nissan’s sales decreased.
"Profitability was negatively impacted by the decrease in revenues and external factors such as raw material costs, exchange rate fluctuations and investments to meet regulatory standards," it says.
The company said its first quarter operating profit fell by 98%.
Carmaker Volvo has announced that it is recalling 507,353 cars worldwide after investigations identified a problem with plastic intake manifolds - a device that sits on top of the engine in a car distributing air to each cylinder.
Volvo told the BBC that in "very rare cases", the plastic engine intake manifold was known to melt and deform, sometimes even causing a fire in the engine bay.
The recall affects 69,616 cars in the UK, and Volvo is currently working on a fix for the problem.
"We are
taking full responsibility to ensure the highest quality and safety standards
of our cars," said a spokesman for Volvo.
"We will do our utmost to perform this action without any
unnecessary inconvenience to our customers, and we apologise for the
inconvenience caused and are grateful for our customers’ cooperation."
Between January and June it sold 1.9 million vehicles. In Europe sales were 0.3% higher, but sales everywhere else fell.
In China deliveries slumped 60%. The company said it is working on "action plans" with its Chinese partners to tackle issues with its business there.
However, shares are up 1% in Paris.
VW and Ford in self-driving car venture
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Car firms Volkswagen and Ford
have said they will work together on developing self-driving and electric cars
in a bid to reduce costs on new technologies.
The two firms said whilst they remained "fiercely competitive" in the car market, the tie-up would give them "significant global scale" in new tech.
In total, VW plans to invest
$2.6bn (£2bn) in Argo AI, a company developing autonomous vehicles, and in which it will become an equal shareholder with Ford. It values Argo at $7bn,
Live Reporting
All times stated are UK
BMW boss says PM should rule out no-deal Brexit
The German carmaker, which builds the Mini in the UK, says Boris Johnson should listen to business.
Read moreCar industry investment plummets in UK
By Theo Leggett
Business correspondent, BBC News
It comes at a time when the sector has been spending heavily on preparations for a no-deal Brexit
Read moreVauxhall loss would have 'big Welsh impact'
A business says the carmaker is its "biggest customer" and any closure at Ellesmere Port would leave a "big hole".
Read moreVauxhall owner 'could move Astra production from UK'
The move would probably lead to the closure of the site, the FT says, threatening 1,000 jobs.
Read moreUnion to fight any Brexit cuts at Vauxhall plant
Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner has issued a statement following the warning from the chief executive of Vauxhall-owner PSA that it could move all production from its Ellesmere Port factory if Brexit makes it unprofitable.
“A no-deal Brexit, or a deal that throws up barriers and tariffs. would be catastrophic for Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port workers and the UK car industry and make plants inefficient, components less attractive and cars built in the UK more expensive for export. “Unite is in continuing discussions with PSA. We will not sit back and allow PSA Group to walk away from making cars in the UK to then sell cars made elsewhere back into what is the fifth biggest car market in the world. The workforce stands ready to do everything in its power to protect Ellesmere Port jobs and will fight tooth and nail to safeguard car production volumes at the plant."
Falling pound hits car insurance cost
BBC Personal Finance Correspondent tweets
Car industry: battery plant in the UK, please
The car industry lobby group Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has written to newly minted prime minister Boris Johnson, telling him its wants, including a battery factory for electric cars:
Carmakers agree emissions deal despite Trump rules
California and four firms reach a fuel-efficiency deal despite a White House drive to relax rules.
Read moreAre speed limiters the best way to reduce road deaths?
By Theo Leggett
Business correspondent, BBC News
Intelligent speed assistance systems could reduce accidents and speeding fines, but do they work?
Read moreJLR reports loss too
Financial Times Motor Industry Correspondent tweets
Nissan to cut 12,500 jobs worldwide
It is unclear where the cuts will fall, but unions are hopeful the Sunderland plant will not be affected.
Read moreNissan profits collapse
Nissan says total industry volume remained weak during the first quarter, and Nissan’s sales decreased.
"Profitability was negatively impacted by the decrease in revenues and external factors such as raw material costs, exchange rate fluctuations and investments to meet regulatory standards," it says.
The company said its first quarter operating profit fell by 98%.
Shares dive as Aston Martin cuts sales forecasts
The luxury carmaker says it will sell fewer cars this year because of weaker demand in Europe.
Read moreVolvo recalls 70,000 cars over fire risk
The car maker says a plastic engine part can in "very rare cases" melt and cause a fire.
Read moreVolvo recalls cars due to fire risk
Carmaker Volvo has announced that it is recalling 507,353 cars worldwide after investigations identified a problem with plastic intake manifolds - a device that sits on top of the engine in a car distributing air to each cylinder.
Volvo told the BBC that in "very rare cases", the plastic engine intake manifold was known to melt and deform, sometimes even causing a fire in the engine bay.
The recall affects 69,616 cars in the UK, and Volvo is currently working on a fix for the problem.
"We are taking full responsibility to ensure the highest quality and safety standards of our cars," said a spokesman for Volvo.
"We will do our utmost to perform this action without any unnecessary inconvenience to our customers, and we apologise for the inconvenience caused and are grateful for our customers’ cooperation."
Car parts from weeds: The future of green motoring?
By Chris Baraniuk
Technology of Business reporter
The motor industry is trying to reduce its carbon footprint in a number of innovative ways.
Read more'No brainer' fuel change to cut transport CO2
By Matt McGrath
Environment correspondent
MPs say the simple step of adding more ethanol to the UK's fuel mix would be same as taking 700,000 cars off the roads.
Read morePeugeot sales down
PSA Group, the French car maker, has reported a 12.8% drop in sales in the first half of the year.
Between January and June it sold 1.9 million vehicles. In Europe sales were 0.3% higher, but sales everywhere else fell.
In China deliveries slumped 60%. The company said it is working on "action plans" with its Chinese partners to tackle issues with its business there.
However, shares are up 1% in Paris.
VW and Ford in self-driving car venture
Car firms Volkswagen and Ford have said they will work together on developing self-driving and electric cars in a bid to reduce costs on new technologies.
The two firms said whilst they remained "fiercely competitive" in the car market, the tie-up would give them "significant global scale" in new tech.
In total, VW plans to invest $2.6bn (£2bn) in Argo AI, a company developing autonomous vehicles, and in which it will become an equal shareholder with Ford. It values Argo at $7bn,
The move comes after the carmakers said in March they would build vans together.
The agreement is latest example of rivals joining up to develop new technologies.
VW and Ford in self-driving and electric car pact
The two car giants will work together on developing new technologies in an attempt to reduce costs.
Read more