Automotive trade body the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders (SMMT) has published a new manifesto for the industry based around five pledges for cross-party adoption.
It wants all political parties to adopt its five pledges, which it says would supercharge the competitiveness of UK automotive.
The carrot could be a £106bn boost in UK EV production between now and the end of the next parliament.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes says the five pledges are the basis of a simple deal between UK automotive and politicians.
“Back us with the right conditions, and we will turn our obligations into opportunities for our industry, for jobs, for the environment and for the UK.”
Transforming UK automotive
The manifesto is multi-faceted and aims to transform UK automotive production, give all motorists the confidence to go electric, upskill the workforce, ensure British-built EVs can be sold globally and drive down the cost of clean energy.
Achieving all this would “unleash the sector to lead the UK’s net zero revolution”.
The SMMT wants every political party to recognise the importance of UK automotive and help create the right conditions for a 10-fold increase in EV production, to 750k vehicles a year by 2030.
This would be worth £106bn.
“We are in the middle of the most fiercely competitive investment landscape of a generation and need a UK response, urgently, using every policy, every fiscal and regulatory lever, to make Britain the most attractive place to invest.”
Fundamentally strong
UK automotive has many fundamental strengths, says the SMMT – despite challenges including ongoing post-Brexit trade issues with the UK, inflationary pressures and energy costs twice as high as EU rivals.
The UK supply chain is diverse, the workforce is flexible and highly skilled, and Britain’s brands and R&D capabilities are world renowned.
This has helped UK automotive achieve annual turnover of £78bn, contributing £16bn to the UK economy. It also invest £3bn a year in R&D.
The sector supports 800k jobs and is primed to deliver a decade of benefits for wider society – with the right conditions and backing.
SMMT five pledges
1: A green automotive transformation strategy for a stronger economy
2: Net zero mobility for everyone
3: Green skills for a greener future
4: Made in Britain – made for the world
5 Powering the UK clean tech revolution
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