UK car production sees 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, such as global chip shortages. In July, a total of 76,451 units were produced, demonstrating the industry's commitment to delivering the latest models to both domestic and international buyers. However, despite this growth, output remains 29.4% lower than pre-pandemic levels in July 2019.

Manufacturing output for the UK also experienced a notable increase, rising by 13.7% to reach 13,187 units during the month. Furthermore, exports saw a significant boost, with a 36.1% increase to 63,264 units. These exports accounted for the majority of production in July, with over 82.8% of cars made being shipped overseas. The European Union, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia emerged as the top destination markets, collectively representing almost 85% of all UK car exports in the previous month.

The production of advanced vehicles, including hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and battery electric vehicles (BEVs), continued to thrive, with combined volumes rising by an impressive 73.9% to reach 30,180 units. These vehicles accounted for nearly 40% of all cars produced in July. Since January, UK car manufacturers have produced over 200,000 of these high-tech vehicles, almost double the amount compared to the same period last year. Overall, a total of 526,619 cars were produced, representing a year-on-year increase of 14.2%.

Mike Hawes, the Chief Executive of SMMT, expressed optimism about the recovery of British car production. He highlighted the growing role of electrified models in driving industry volumes and emphasized the need for a coherent strategy to attract further investment and support the development of zero-emission models and advanced automotive manufacturing technologies. While recent investment announcements have provided a boost, the sector still faces tough global competition.

The latest independent production outlook predicts that total UK car production will reach approximately 860,000 units this year, reflecting a 10.9% increase compared to 2022. This positive projection indicates the sector's recovery from the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, there is a possibility of reaching the one million mark in 2028, highlighting the potential for future growth in the industry.

SOURCE: SMMT

FutureCar Staff