In April, UK car production experienced a downturn for the second consecutive month, as manufacturers prepared for new generation models and their electrified powertrains, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Data revealed a 7.0 percent annual decrease in car production, totaling 61,820 units for the month. For the year to date, car manufacturing output saw a modest decline of 0.8 percent compared to 2023 levels.
Despite a significant 19.8 percent increase in production for the domestic market in April, this was not enough to balance out a 12.7 percent drop in exports. The primary destinations for UK car exports were the European Union, followed by the United States, China, Turkey, and Australia.
Electrified vehicles accounted for 40.5 percent of total production in April. A separate report indicated a 19.9 percent decline in commercial vehicle production compared to the previous year. Nonetheless, commercial vehicle manufacturing maintained a 13.6 percent increase over the first four months of the year, marking the best year-to-date performance since 2010.
