Vehicle production show signs of recovery in May
UK vehicle production rose 2.7% in May to 51,178 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Car output was up 3.2% to 49,249 units after four straight months of decline, while commercial vehicle volumes fell 7.6% to 1,929 units.
Exports drove the uptick in production, with car orders for overseas markets up 3.9% to 38,897 units and commercial vehicle exports rising 61% to 1,391 units.
Meanwhile, across the first five months of the year vehicle production is down 8.7% year-on-year at 317,779 units. Car production is 4.1% down on the same period in 2025 while commercial vehicle production has fallen by 60%.
Sustained recovery
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “May’s growth is welcome, and the priority must be to turn this into a sustained recovery by making the UK more competitive as a place to make and sell vehicles.
“That means reducing industrial costs, maintaining free and open trade with the EU, and ensuring the ZEV Mandate reflects market reality. Manufacturers are investing billions in zero emission technology, but weak underlying demand and the growing cost of compliance are putting competitiveness, jobs and future investment at risk.
“A mandate aligned with real-word conditions would support decarbonisation, strengthen the market, and help unlock the investment needed for long-term economic growth.”
