6:00 am, June 27, 2019
BRITISH car production fell for the twelfth month in a row in May, as output dropped 15.5 per cent, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
A total of 21,239 fewer units were manufactured, with demand both at home and abroad falling by double-digits as softening in the UK and key global markets, and the effects of model changes, caused the negative performance to continue.
In the month, manufacturing for domestic buyers fell by 25.9 per cent, while overseas orders were down by 12.6 per cent.
Exports accounted for 80.9 per cent of all cars made, re-emphasising the importance of maintaining free and frictionless trade.
In the year to date, UK car production is down 21 per cent with 557,295 new models rolling off production lines – almost 150,000 fewer compared with the same point in 2018.
This is due, to a certain extent, to the decision by some manufacturers to bring forward summer shutdowns to April in anticipation of the expected March date for the UK to leave the EU.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘Twelve consecutive months of decline for UK car manufacturing is a serious concern and underlines yet again the importance of securing a Brexit deal quickly. No deal is not an option.’
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