UK car production plummets 30% in November – SMMT
UK car production plummeted by 30.1% in November, the ninth straight month of decline.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that 64,216 cars were produced during the month, 27,711 fewer than in November last year.
With UK car makers retooling factories to make electric vehicles, all major manufacturers experienced declines, representing the worst performance for the month since 1980.
Output for both domestic and export markets fell sharply, down 56.7% and 21.3% respectively while output year-to-date has fallen by 12.9% to 734,562 units – 108,787 fewer than the same period in 2023.
Meanwhile, 19,165 battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric cars were made in the month, representing almost a third (29.8%) of output. From January to November, UK car makers have now produced more than a quarter of a million electrified vehicles, but this is down 19.7% on the same period in 2023.
With the domestic EV market not growing as fast as expected, the SMMT has warned the UK government must act quickly by introducing incentives for private consumers, boosting infrastructure rollout and fast-tracking an industrial and trade strategy that delivers competitive conditions including cheaper low carbon energy, new skills and measures to attract further investment.
Most urgently, however, it must publish its consultation on the changes to the ‘ZEV mandate’ regulation, as the link between a vibrant local market and healthy local production is a critical one.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said:
“These figures offer little Christmas cheer for the sector. While a decline was to be expected given the extensive changes underway at many plants, manufacturing is under pressure at home and abroad, with billions of pounds committed to new technologies, new models and new production tooling. Government can help by supporting consumers in the transition, fast tracking its Industrial Strategy for advanced manufacturing and, most urgently, reviewing the market regulation which is putting enormous strain on the sector.”
