UK car and commercial vehicle production declined -11.6% in February, to 82,178 units.
Car output falls for 12th month in a row, down -7.6% to 73,814 units, with CV volumes declining -35.9% to 8,364 units.
Manufacturers turned out 10,787 fewer cars, vans, trucks, taxis, buses and coaches than in February the year before, with multiple factors at play, notably soft markets at home and overseas, model changeovers and plant restructuring.
In the 12th consecutive month of decline for car manufacturing, the lion’s share of output was for export, with more than eight-in-10 units shipped abroad in the month and volumes up 1.3% to 60,034 units.
Car production for the UK market, meanwhile, fell -33.3% to 13,780 units. The EU remained the largest market for UK car exports, taking 53.5%, followed by the US (19.7%) and China (6.3%).
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “These are worrying times for UK vehicle makers with car production falling for 12 months in a row, rising trade tensions and weak demand.
The market transition is not keeping pace with ambition and, while the industry can deliver growth – and green growth at that – it needs policies to deliver that reality.
“It was disappointing, therefore, to hear a Spring Statement that did nothing to alleviate the pressure on manufacturers and, moreover, confirms the introduction next month of additional fiscal measures which will actually dissuade consumers from investing.
“Without substantive regulatory easements our manufacturing viability remains at risk and the UK’s transition to zero emission mobility under threat.
