UK car production decrease 5.3% to 160,432 units in September

On October 26, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced that the number of UK car production for September decreased 5.3% over the previous year to 160,432 units. Passenger car production was down 4.1% to 153,224 units and commercial vehicle production was down 26.0% to 7,208 units year over year (y/y). Production of engines was up by 3.9% to 248,463 units.
Vehicle exports down 2.0% (y/y) to 126,301 units and domestic sales decreased 16.0% (y/y) to 34,131 units. The percentage of export was 78.7%.
In the first nine months of 2017, total vehicle production decreased 2.7% (y/y) to 1,320,742 units. The passenger car production was down 2.2% to 1,259,509 units, commercial vehicle was down 11.7% to 61,233 units and engines were up 5.0% to 2,001,898 units.
Mike Hawes, CEO of SMMT said "With UK car manufacturing falling for a fifth month this year, it’s clear that declining consumer and business confidence is affecting domestic demand and hence production volumes. Uncertainty regarding the national air quality plans also didn’t help the domestic market for diesel cars, despite the fact that these new vehicles will face no extra charges or restrictions across the UK. Brexit is the greatest challenge of our times and yet we still don’t have any clarity on what our future relationship with our biggest trading partner will look like, nor detail of the transitional deal being sought. Leaving the EU with no deal would be the worst outcome for our sector so we urge government to deliver on its commitments and safeguard the competitiveness of the industry."

(SMMT press releases on October 26, 2017) 1 / 2 / 3