UK car and commercial vehicle production rose by 17.1% to 79,018 units last month but total Q1 output is down -6.3%.
Car manufacturing grew for the first time in 12 months, driven by robust export demand that increased by 30.6%, with almost three quarters (73.3%) of output shipped overseas.
Conversely, production for the UK market fell by -6.1%. Electrified vehicle production also rose, by 38.5% – more than twice the rate of total production – to 31,661 units, to account for almost half of all UK car output (45.0%).
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “A March uplift to manufacturing is overdue good news, although the performance was boosted by a comparatively weaker month last year, when holiday timings and product changeovers combined to reduce output.
“With the last quarter showing demand for British-built cars rising overseas, navigating the new era of trade uncertainty is now the major challenge.
“Government has rightly recognised automotive manufacturing’s critical role in Britain’s export economy and must now show urgency and creativity to deliver a deal that supports our competitiveness, spurs domestic demand for the latest cleanest vehicles, and helps factory lines flourish.”
