UK vehicle production falls in February – SMMT
UK vehicle production fell 17.2% in February to 68,061 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It reported that car production fell 10.7% to 65,885 cars while commercial vehicle output fell 74% to 2,176 units.
Exports of cars and commercial vehicles were down 11.5% and 65.1% to 53,140 and 1,306 units respectively, while car production for the domestic market fell 7.5% to 12,745 units and commercial vehicle production for the UK dropped 81.2% to just 870 units.
Meanwhile, production of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid cars fell 2.8% to 26,629 units, accounting for 40.4% of car output.
Extremely worrying
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Another decline for UK vehicle production and exports is extremely worrying, given these figures pre-date the crisis in the Middle East.
“While the sector has made efforts to build resilience into its logistics and supply chains post Covid, the conflict adds further strain. Now more than ever we must focus on our industrial competitiveness by driving down energy costs, backing our suppliers, supporting our domestic market and securing free and fair trade with Europe.”
