UK car production sees continuous growth for six months

author: FutureCar Staff    

UK car production experienced a significant surge in July, with a rise of 31.6%, marking the sixth consecutive month of growth, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This positive trend reflects the ongoing recovery of UK car makers from recent challenges, including global chip shortages. A total of 76,451 units were produced, demonstrating the industry's ability to deliver the latest models to both domestic and international buyers. However, it is important to note that despite this growth, output remains 29.4% lower than pre-pandemic levels in July 2019.

In July, manufacturing output for the UK increased by 13.7% to reach 13,187 units. The majority of production was directed towards exports, which saw a significant rise of 36.1% to 63,264 units. This indicates the strong demand for UK-made cars in international markets. The European Union, United States, China, Japan, and Australia were the top destinations for these exports, accounting for almost 85% of all UK car exports in the previous month.

The production of advanced vehicles such as hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continued to grow in July, with a combined volume increase of 73.9% to 30,180 units. These vehicles represented almost 40% of all cars produced during the month. Since January, UK car manufacturers have produced over 200,000 of these vehicles, nearly double the amount compared to the same period last year. In total, 526,619 cars were produced, reflecting a year-on-year increase of 14.2%.

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of SMMT, expressed optimism about the future of British car production. He stated that the continuous growth over the past six months, driven by the increasing popularity of electrified models, indicates a positive trajectory for the industry. However, he also emphasized the need for a coherent strategy to attract further investment and support the development of zero-emission models and advanced automotive manufacturing.

The latest independent production outlook predicts that UK car production will reach approximately 860,000 units this year, an uplift of 10.9% compared to 2022. This forecast provides hope for the sector's recovery from the challenging years brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. There is even the possibility of reaching the one million mark in 2028.

SOURCE: SMMT

FutureCar Staff