LONDON: New car sales in Britain dived in April from a record high as motorists reacted to a tax overhaul that has ramped up prices, industry data showed Thursday.
Sales fell by 19.8 percent last month from a year earlier to 152,076 vehicles, industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said in a statement.
The April decline followed record-breaking growth in previous months as buyers brought forward purchases ahead of the tax-rule change, which came into force on April 1.
The rule change means that all new cars — except for those with zero CO2 emissions — are now subject to an annual flat-rate charge.
Research from the RAC roadside breakdown service indicates that most drivers purchasing new cars are now paying significantly more under the new regime.
“With the rush to register new cars and avoid VED tax rises before the end of March, as well as fewer selling days due to the later Easter, April was always going to be much slower,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.
“We therefore expect demand to stabilize over the year as the turbulence created by these tax changes decreases,” he added.
Sales fell across the board, with diesel cars down 27.3 percent, petrol down 13.1 percent and hybrid and electric vehicles, which had skyrocketed in previous months, falling back 1.3 percent.
On a year-to-date basis, sales were still up 1.1 percent to 972,092 vehicles, thanks to a strong first quarter.
The best-selling car in Britain last month was the Ford Fiesta, followed by the Nissan Qashqai, with the Mercedes C-Class in third place.
UK car sales plunge after tax change
UK car sales plunge after tax change
Acwa appoints Samir Serhan as CEO in planned succession
RIYADH: Saudi utility developer Acwa appointed Samir J. Serhan as CEO effective March 1, replacing Marco Arcelli in a planned leadership transition as the company accelerates global expansion in renewable energy, desalination and green hydrogen.
The Tadawul-listed company said the appointment forms part of a structured succession plan approved by its board, taking into account the scheduled expiration of Arcelli’s contract in April 2027. Arcelli, who has led Acwa since March 2023, will remain adviser to the chairman to support an orderly transition, according to a regulatory disclosure to Tadawul.
The leadership change comes as Acwa — one of the world’s largest private desalination companies and a major investor in energy transition projects — continues to scale its international portfolio amid rising demand for clean power and water infrastructure.
Mohammad Abunayyan, founder and chairman of the board of directors of Acwa, said: “Acwa stands today as a Saudi national champion and a global leader in renewable energy, water desalination, and green hydrogen, and our position continues to strengthen.”
He added: “This structured leadership transition reflects the strength of our governance and the maturity of our business platform. Our strategic direction remains clear and unchanged. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Samir Serhan to his new role as CEO of Acwa.”
Serhan joined Acwa last year as president of Saudi Arabia and Middle East, where he was responsible for seven key markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan and Iraq.
“I’m honored to lead Acwa at a pivotal moment as the company accelerates profitable global growth in renewable energy, water desalination, and green hydrogen solutions — including advancing green hydrogen to decarbonize heavy industries — to deliver scalable, sustainable impact worldwide,” said Serhan.
Previously, Serhan served as chief operating officer of the US-based company Air Products, where he had global responsibility for operational business and project execution with profit and loss accountability across the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and India. He also led technology, global engineering, manufacturing and equipment functions at Air Products.
Earlier in his career, he was president, Hydrogen for Praxair. For 14 years prior, he worked at the Linde Group in leadership positions in the US and Germany, culminating in his role as managing director of Linde Engineering.
Acwa, recently rebranded from ACWA Power, is a key developer of power and water infrastructure projects under public-private partnership models and plays a central role in Saudi Arabia’s energy transition strategy.
