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SMMT report puts forward automotive priorities for next government

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has issued the report in the run-up to the general election

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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has put forward a report which includes five automotive priorities that it wants the next government to address.

The report asks that a new trading relationship is established with the EU, and also includes: establishing a globally competitive business environment; the creation of an ‘ambitious’ industrial strategy; increased support for sustainable mobility through the use of cleaner technologies and, finally, the creation of policies to ensure the UK benefits from digitalisation.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “To guarantee future growth and investment into our industry and its vital supply chain. However, we need the next government to safeguard the conditions that have made us globally competitive, keeping us open and trading and delivering an ambitious industrial strategy for our sector.”

The UK automotive industry is currently at £71.6 billion, and 1.7 million cars were built during 2016.

The SMMT indicated today that UK car manufacturing had fallen in April, but the total year-to-date output remained at its strongest level for 17 years having risen by 1.0 per cent to almost 600,000 units.

Hawes spoke on the subject, adding: “Car production fell significantly in April due to the later Easter bank holiday weekend which reduced the number of active production days that month and also due to unplanned production adjustments. Overall, British car manufacturing remains in good health with the production outlook still very positive and significant new models due to go into UK production shortly.”

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