Laying the foundations of the UK’s Automotive Manufacturing transformation

The UK Automotive Market in 2026: A sector in transition

Walk through any modern UK vehicle plant today and one thing becomes immediately clear: despite recent global challenges, this industry isn’t just surviving – it’s evolving faster than at any point in recent decades.

The numbers tell a compelling story of resilience. According to the SMMT, new car registrations rose 3.5% in 2025 to just over 2.02 million units, marking three consecutive years of growth, and the first time registrations exceeded 2 million since 2019. That momentum is expected to continue into 2026.

But the real story goes beyond volume recovery. We’re witnessing a fundamental transformation in how vehicles are designed, built, and tested. Electrification is reshaping everything. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are projected to account for approximately 28.5% of UK registrations this year, driven by both consumer demand and tightening regulatory requirements.

Inside manufacturing facilities, the pace of change is unmistakable. Production lines are being redesigned to handle multiple drivetrain technologies simultaneously. Battery assembly capabilities are being integrated into existing plants. Advanced quality systems powered by digital and smart manufacturing technologies are rapidly becoming the industry standard rather than the exception.

Production continuity: The one constant that shapes everything

Despite all these changes, one fundamental truth remains: in automotive manufacturing, production never stops.

Vehicle plants operate continuously, often completing a finished vehicle every few minutes. In this high-stakes environment, even minor disruptions can escalate quickly, cascading from a technical issue into a production challenge that impacts multiple operations across the entire facility.

This reality explains why infrastructure investment is so critical to the sector’s transformation. Electrical systems, automation platforms, and digital networks are no longer support functions – they’re the backbone of modern automotive manufacturing. They enable the transition to electrified and digitally connected production environments while maintaining the relentless pace that the industry demands.

Actemium: A trusted engineering partner in electrical, data and network solutions

Successfully supporting this transformation requires an engineering partner who is not only technically capable but also understands the operational complexity of automotive manufacturing. At Actemium, we bring both to the table.

Our capabilities – developed over more than 50 years working across nearly every OEM manufacturing site in the UK and a substantial portion of the supply chain – span a comprehensive range of electrical, data, and network services. We help customers maintain reliable existing infrastructure while simultaneously preparing facilities for future production requirements.

Our Core Capabilities

Electrical Contracting Services
We deliver full lifecycle electrical contracting services covering both LV and HV design, complete electrical fit-outs including distribution, high-level lighting and containment, emergency and external lighting, and office installations. Our electrical compliance services protect people, equipment, and operations, while our Electrical, Control and Instrumentation (EC&I) integration ensures production systems operate safely and efficiently.

Data and Network Solutions
Our integrated data and network infrastructure supports robotics, advanced inspection systems, and digital manufacturing platforms. These solutions enable manufacturers to introduce new technologies while maintaining operational continuity – a critical balance in production environments where downtime is not an option.

Quality Assurance and Environmental Control
Our final assembly testing solutions support rigorous product validation and quality assurance processes. Meanwhile, our Building Management Systems (BMS) help automotive manufacturers and suppliers optimise energy performance and maintain the stable operating environments that modern production demands.

Recognised excellence in safety, quality and communications

Safety is paramount in automotive manufacturing, and it’s deeply embedded in how we plan and deliver every project. As one of the UK’s most reputable contractors in this sector, we protect both the people and our customers’ operations and reputations. Our commitment has earned health and safety awards for many of our onsite teams from multiple customers.

This approach is backed by industry-recognised accreditations including NICEIC, ECA, and JIB compliance, alongside UKCA panel manufacturing standards – ensuring all work meets the highest industry expectations.

Equally important is our strong project management and communications with clients. We’ve recently received positive endorsements from multiple customers highlighting our proactive and collaborative approach. By working closely with them, we usually identify challenges early, minimise disruption, and maintain production priorities even during complex infrastructure upgrades.

Last but not least, our continued focus on quality, environmental responsibility, and ESG performance ensures that projects deliver long-term value alongside immediate operational benefits.

Supporting the next chapter of UK Automotive manufacturing

The UK automotive sector continues to be defined by rapid change, demanding adaptability and responsiveness from everyone in the ecosystem. As electrification and digital manufacturing accelerate, the industry is navigating one of its most significant transformation periods in history.

At Actemium, we’ve proven our longevity and agility through the peaks and troughs of automotive manufacturing cycles. Now, more than ever, we remain focused on supporting our automotive customers not as mere suppliers, but as long-term engineering partners – helping manufacturers adapt, evolve, and remain competitive as production technologies continue to advance.