SMMT tells Theresa May that a Brexit customs union must stay for car industry

Automakers have called on the U.K. government to back down from its "red lines" in Brexit negotiations, or risk putting hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. The customs union which covers Europe was created in 1958 as part of the European Economic Community (EEC), which then evolved into the European Union (EU). The single market is a deeper form of co-operation between member states that allows the free movement of goods, services, money and people within the bloc. Hawes said Brexit uncertainty would provide "no dividend for our industry" and the current position with its "conflicting messages and red lines" was against the interests of the U.K. auto sector. Government must rethink its position on the customs union," he said.

McLaren pushes for the UK to lead the car industry "weight race"

THE BRITISH supercar maker McLaren has urged the UK government and car industry to make further progress developing weight-saving technologies and measures. Speaking at a recent industry summit, McLaren CEO Mike Flewitt called for car makers to ditch the obsession with increasing power and complexity, in favour of measures that reduce weight and increase efficiency. For example, though the 789bhp McLaren Senna has the most powerful combustion engine installed in a McLaren road car to date, the extreme hypercar is also extensively fashioned from carbon fibre, to the point where its doors weigh less than 10kg each. While not perhaps as long running as McLaren's dedication to carbon fibre, other car manufacturers in the UK are making headway in reducing the weight of their cars. Weight-trimming methods are expected to emerge from Aston Martin's partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies, and car makers such as Rolls-Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley have all made further use of materials such as aluminium in their more recent offerings.

These two women are among the most influential in the car industry

as declared in The automotive retailer, which has its registered head office in Annesley, has seen two members of staff recognised in Autocar's list of Top 100 Great British Women. Group marketing and communications director Vicky Finn and HR director Jo Moxon were both recognised on the very prestigious list as two of the most influential women working within the automotive sector. The list both highlights and celebrates female role models who have thrived in their careers within the competitive car industry through various category nominations. When I look at the motor industry in particular, females are coming in and buying cars. Show moreAutocar editor Mark Tisshaw said: "While there are certainly challenges in the car industry, it's heartening to see such a wealth of outstanding British women thriving in an array of roles and in the most senior positions.

collected by :Catlin Logan