UK car production fell 30% in November, in effect confirming that fewer cars will be built in 2024 than 2023.
Last month, 64,216 vehicles rolled off productions lines – 27,711 fewer than in November 2023 – resulting in the ninth consecutive month of decline.
It was also the worst November for UK car production since 1980, when 62,728 vehicles were produced.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders blamed the decline on weaknesses in key global markets – including Europe and China – as well as “strategic decisions”, such as retooling plants to build EVs.
Of the 64,216 cars built last month, 54,288 were for export (output down 21% on 2023) with just 9928 for the home market (down 57%).
Year to date, UK car production is some 110,000 cars behind the first 11 months of 2023, meaning December will need to be a record month if 2024 is to grow on last year’s total.
SMMT CEO Mike Hawes said: “These figures offer little Christmas cheer for the sector. While a decline was to be expected given the extensive changes under way 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.”
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