UK car manufacturing fell by 16.8% in September, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The production of 127,0512 vehicles meant that 25,610 fewer cars were made than in September 2017, “capping off a turbulent first three quarters, as global trade tensions, model changes and uncertainty over diesel and Brexit were
exacerbated by testing backlogs due to new emissions regulations”.
September’s production fell for both home and overseas markets — down by 19.0% and 16.2% respectively compared with September 2017 — although exports were the mainstay, accounting for eight out of every 10 cars produced.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive (
www.smmt.co.uk), said: “These figures highlight the many challenges facing UK Automotive.
“It has been a tough year, and the industry needs stability — something that appears elusive, given the lack of resolution to Brexit negotiations.
"The UK government has recognised the importance of a deal that maintains free and frictionless trade with the EU, but it is up to all sides to deliver this to safeguard the hundreds of thousands of jobs depending on the sector.
"Stability is also needed at home, and a stronger UK new-car market would go a long way to boosting manufacturing output.”
Meanwhile, UK engine manufacturing declined by 9.5% in September, with the production of 224,975 units (down from 248,463 in September 2017); 86,085 units for the home market equates to a fall of 28.8%, although the 138,890 units for export is an 8.9% increase on September 2017.
In the first nine months of the year, 2,061,940 units were produced — an increase of 3.0%.
Unlike the situation for cars, UK commercial-vehicle (CV) manufacturing increased by almost 15.0% in September, with 8,281 CVs built, and several large fleet orders from the home market boosting production.
Mr Hawes said: “While it is positive to see an increase in production in September, CV manufacturing works to low volumes, so a single large fleet order can heavily influence output figures.
"Overall, production continues to be driven by exports, with more than six in 10 commercial vehicles manufactured in the UK destined for overseas customers — mostly in the EU.”