Engines stall in August
Engine production in the UK was down 35.1% in August as just 106,398 units were produced.
Production for domestic and overseas markets declined 36.9% and 34.1% respectively, while year-to-date engine production is now down 35.2% as a coronavirus second wave looms.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “These figures come at an extremely worrying time for the sector as it braces for a second wave of coronavirus. Further restrictions both here and in important export destinations will dent consumer and business confidence and inject yet more uncertainty into an already fragile market.
“Meanwhile the end of the Brexit transition period looms large and while [the] announcements by the Chancellor are welcome, we urgently need a zero tariff deal agreed and in place by year end to safeguard skilled manufacturing jobs in this sector.”
