Vehicle production shrinks in April – SMMT
Vehicle production fell by 1.2% to 58,513 units in April, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Car output was recorded at 56,135 units, just 0.7% down on March, but commercial vehicle production dropped by 10.9% to 2,378 units.
Exports accounted for 76.4% of all vehicle output in the month, with 53% of shipments going to the EU and 6.8% going to the US.
Year-to-date, vehicle production is down 10.7% to 266,601 units, with car output down 5.4% to 257,024 units and commercial vehicle production plummeting by 64.1% to 9,577 units.
Reduced levels
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “April’s figures suggest production is stabilising, albeit at reduced levels, when the ambition remains to grow the sector. UK manufacturers still face high costs, notably in energy, and uncertainty in the trading relationship with key trading markets.
“More serious is the UK sector’s carve out from the EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ proposals which, coupled with tougher rules of origin requirements from next year, risk undermining the industry on both sides. The forthcoming EU-UK Summit must address these issues and deliver solutions that safeguard our mutual competitiveness and growth.”
