UK car production fell in August, breaking a two-month growth run, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The figures, 37,072 units rolled out of factories, come before the cyberattack on the UK’s largest automotive employer, the effects of which will be visible in September’s performance.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “August is always a low volume month due to planned summer maintenance, but the focus is now on September’s performance, and the likely impact of the cyberattack at Britain’s biggest automotive employer.
“Given this incident and the industry’s importance to jobs, growth and trade, rapid delivery of the Industrial Strategy and Drive35 is now critical. The sector is resilient, but SMMT is engaged with members and the government to understand what additional supportive measures may be needed.”
Commercial vehicle production also declined, by -73.2% to 1,621 units, driven by the consolidation of manufacturing operations at a major manufacturer. CV output year-to-date, meanwhile, is down -54.4% to 35,922 units.
Combined UK vehicle production was down -18.2% in August to a total of 38,693 units, the weakest performance since 1956.
This reflects the challenging environment facing UK automotive manufacturers, with soft conditions in the sector’s largest market, the EU, significant cost pressures, model transitions and slow economic growth.
Car production for the UK market rose by 11.5% to 7,162 units but was not enough to offset a -14.2% fall in exports while 29,910 cars were made for overseas customers – representing 80.7% of output.
While overall car output fell, electrified car production rose by 40.9% to 16,830 units. Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles accounted for 45.4% of the units produced in August.
In the year to date, factories have turned out more than 200,000 of these vehicles, up 3.7% on 2024. However, total car output is down -5.9% to 492,009 units.
