UK car production down even before JLR cyberattack
UK car production fell in August after two months of growth, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It found that 37,072 units were manufactured during the month, representing a decline of 10.2% year-on-year. This comes even before a cyberattack halted production at Jaguar Land Rover.
Year to date total car output is down 5.9% to 492,009 units.
Meanwhile, electric car output rose 40.9% to 16,830 units last month, to account for 45.4% of all cars produced in August. Year to date, electric car production is up 3.7% on the same period last year to more than 200,000 units.
SMMT figures have also revealed that commercial vehicle production plunged by 73.2% last month to just 1,621 units to continue a long downward trend. CV output year-to-date is down 54.4% to 35,922 units.
Low volume month
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.”
