UK vehicle production up by a third in September
UK vehicle production rose by 36.3% to 74,031 units in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The strong growth reflects the impact of an unprecedented cyber incident last year, which saw production stoppages at Jaguar Land Rover.
As a result, car production increased by 38.6% to 70,831 units, with output of electrified models up 22.5% to account for 42.3% of the total.
Meanwhile, commercial vehicle production fell 0.9%, and year-to-date performance remains down by 46.7% following structural changes within the sector.
Overall, UK factories built 564,537 cars and CVs in the first nine months, a year-on-year decline of three per cent. The latest independent outlook anticipates full-year output of light vehicles at 731,000 units, down 2.3% on 2025, although output is forecast to recover to 752,000 units in 2027.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “September’s rebound is welcome, but comparison with last year’s disruption masks the pressures on UK manufacturing. Protectionism is becoming a feature of global trade, and that threatens not just UK automotive as an export-led sector, but the health of industries overseas as well.
“Pragmatic discussions with trade partners are required but Government can immediately help the industry with an urgent conclusion to the ZEV Mandate review. Mandate targets are running ahead of demand and draining resources required for British factories and jobs.
“Substantive changes – not marginal adjustments – are needed to ensure decarbonisation does not come at the cost of reindustrialisation.”
