New data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has provided very welcome news for everyone involved in the UK motor manufacturing industry. The industry body reported the 11th month of consecutive growth in the sale of new cars in June.
This is a rise of more than a quarter and is represented by nearly 1 million new cars taking to UK roads so far this year. Not only that, the previously subdued new van market also showed signs of renewed buoyancy, with growth every month from January 2023, resulting in the best half-year figures since the pre-pandemic days of 2019.
These figures are very good news indeed for the sector and one of the strongest signs yet that the industry is now able to move on from the problems caused by the global supply chain issues that arose due to the semiconductor shortage in the wake of the pandemic.
What’s driving the increase in car sales?
According to the SMMT, this growth, which comes despite the backdrop of ongoing sky-high inflation in the UK, is being driven by manufacturers focusing on supplying electric vehicles which use the latest state of the art technology to offer enhanced performance and the all-important range capacity that consumers need to be confident in when making an EV purchase.
In June, orders for electric cars increased by 39.2%. So far this year 152,968 electric cars have been delivered to UK customers, which is 13 times more than were ordered in 2019. The Tesla Model Y was the most popular car in the UK in June, with 5,539 registrations in that month alone. Indeed, plug-in cars outpaced the general market, achieving the best June on record, with 44,470 registrations, representing 25.1% of the total volume and a 46% increase on the same period last year.
A move to greener motoring?
Here at Interflex, we welcome these positive signs indicating a collective switch towards zero emission cars as we hurtle ever closer to the government’s ambitious net zero targets. However, there is still much to be done in the automotive industry as the 2030 ban on all sales of new petrol or diesel vehicles approaches ever nearer. As the SMMT points out, one area to focus on is the extra challenge faced by those without driveways, who are currently forced to pay four times as much tax at public EV chargers compared to those who have access to at-home charging.
Innovative materials for a cleaner, greener future
Contributing to the shift to a zero emissions future is at the heart of everything we do at Interflex. Our new acoustic absorber, Ocean, is manufactured from a minimum of 75% recycled polyester, with 1kg being equivalent to 80 recycled plastic bottles. This material is highly suited to the needs of the new age of sustainable and more lightweight car manufacturing. Indeed, the fact that it is predominantly made from recycled goods as well as being recyclable at the end of its long life span is becoming increasingly important as we see increased demand from OEMs who are looking for a recycled as well as recyclable product. So, even though sustainability and eco credentials form a key part of our ethos as a company, they are increasingly making great business sense too.
Learn more about Interflex
Interflex supply innovative and sustainable noise, vibration and harshness solutions. Traditionally, our focus has been on the automotive manufacturing industry but with materials such as Ocean, we are excited about the potential to expand into new sectors such as railway and maritime manufacturing. Call us on 01949 861 494 or email us at sales@interflex2000.com to find out more.