UK car and commercial vehicle production fell for the fifth consecutive month in May, down -32.8% to 49,810 units, according to the latest figures published by the
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Excluding 2020, when Covid-19 lockdowns saw factories shuttered or running at greatly reduced capacity, it was the lowest performance for the month since 1949. Year to date, total output is down -12.9% on 2024, to 348,226 — the lowest since 1953.
Car manufacturing declined by -31.5% in the month, due primarily to ongoing model changeovers, restructuring and the impact of US tariffs, with 47,723 units rolling off production lines. Commercial vehicle output was also down sharply, by -53.6% to 2,087 units, as the closure of one of the UK’s CV plants continues to impact comparisons with last year.
Car production for export fell by -27.8%, although a -42.1% fall in output for the smaller domestic market meant exports comprised a larger share of production, up to 78.5%. Shipments to the European Union (EU) and the USA — the UK’s two largest markets — fell by -22.5% and -55.4% respectively with the US share of exports declining from 18.2% to 11.3%. This was in large part due to the imposition by the US administration of supplementary 25% Section 232 tariffs on cars from March which depressed demand instantly, forcing many manufacturers to stop shipments. However, with the trade agreement negotiated by the Government due to come into effect before the end of June, this should hopefully be a short-lived constraint. Declines were also recorded in exports to China and Turkey, down -11.5% and -51.0% respectively.
CV production declinesExport volumes of vans, buses, coaches, taxis and trucks also declined in May, down by -71.7% year- on-year. The EU remained overwhelmingly the sector’s largest customer, accounting for 94.7% of exports, although volumes fell -72.1%. As a result, the export share of overall commercial vehicle production fell from 67.9% to 41.4%, with the domestic market now the primary destination for UK commercial vehicle output.
The SMMT says that while overall vehicle output is currently constrained, with the right competitive conditions in place, automotive manufacturing can deliver significant gains for UK jobs, the economy and decarbonisation. With three major new trade deals secured with the USA, the EU and India, the sector has pledged to build on the Government’s landmark Industrial and Trade Strategies published last week. The organisation thinks rapid action on energy costs and an increased ability to access key overseas markets – plus additional measures to energise domestic demand – could put the UK on course to reclaim its place in the top 15 automotive manufacturing nations, for the first time since 2018.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes concluded “While 2025 has proved to be an incredibly challenging year for UK automotive production, there is the beginning of some optimism for the future. Confirmed trade deals with crucial markets, especially the USA and a more positive relationship with the EU, as well as Government strategies on industry and trade that recognise the critical role the sector plays in driving economic growth, should help recovery. With rapid implementation, particularly on the energy costs constraining our competitiveness, the UK can deliver the jobs, growth and decarbonisation that is desperately needed.”