UK vehicle production fell by -14.3% in November with 65,932 units leaving factory lines, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The decline was driven by a slight reduction in car output, down -1.7% to 63,126 units, and a much steeper -78.0% drop in commercial vehicle output, with just 2,806 units produced – 9,943 fewer than in the same month last year.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Car production is normalising following August’s cyber incident and, with the manufacture of a new EV model starting this week in Sunderland, the sector can look forward with some optimism.
“Growth is expected next year, with the industry poised to reap the benefits of recent UK government backing – notably new funding, modernised trade deals and efforts to reduce energy costs. The growth this package seeks to create, however, would be undermined if the UK becomes the main unintended victim of new EU local content requirements.
“We must instead work on a pragmatic and inclusive approach, one which protects and enhances competitiveness across the European automotive ecosystem.”
Van, truck, bus and coach volumes, meanwhile, declined for the eighth month in a row, reflecting the consolidation of two plants into one in the North West.
Overall car production for the UK market rose by 46.9% to 14,589 units, while output for export declined -10.6% as shipments to the EU, US, Türkiye, China and Japan all fell.
In total, 48,537 cars were produced for global markets, representing 76.9% of total output.
