UK vehicle production fell -17.2% in February, with 68,061 units leaving factories, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The figures were described by SMMT CEO Mike Hawes as “extremely worrying” given that they predated the crisis in the Middle East.
Output comprised 65,885 cars (down -10.7%) and 2,176 commercial vehicles (-74.0%) as export demand in markets outside Europe remained weak, model changeovers impacted output and CV volumes continued to be affected by a major plant restructuring.
Exports of cars and CVs were down -11.5% and -65.1%, to 53,140 and 1,306 units respectively, though production for overseas buyers still accounted for the majority (80.0%) of total vehicle output.
The EU remained the largest global market for UK plants, taking 63.6% of car exports and 88.9% of CV shipments, and while car exports to the EU rose 5.3%, demand in the US, China and Japan fell, by -34.3%, -66.4% and -6.8% respectively.
Car output for British buyers was down too, declining -7.5% to 12,745 units while CV production for the UK also fell steeply, by -81.2%, down to just 870 units.
“Production of battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV) cars, meanwhile, fell -2.8% to 26,629 units, although they accounted for an improved 40.4% of car output.1
Hawes said, “Another decline for UK vehicle production and exports is extremely worrying, given these figures pre-date the crisis in the Middle East.
“While the sector has made efforts to build resilience into its logistics and supply chains post Covid, the conflict adds further strain.”
