The UK's production of new cars and vans in April fell to its lowest level since 1952, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The SMMT said 59,203 cars and commercial vehicles (CVs) left factories last month, the lowest seen in any given April since 53,517 such models left factories 72 years ago – with the exception of 2020, when the Covid pandemic limited output to just 197.
Car production – comprising a significantly greater proportion of the UK’s total vehicle output than CVs – dropped by 8.6% compared with April 2024, to 56,534.
Production for export markets was hit particularly hard, falling by 10.1% to 42,972, compared with a drop of 3.3% for the home market to 13,562.
The SMMT attributed the dip to the later timing of Easter this year, reducing the number of working days in the months, and lower demand from foreign markets.
Exports to the EU dropped by 19.1%, although it still accounted for more than half of all shipments. Meanwhile, exports to the US (comprising 16.5% of the tally) dropped by a smaller 2.7%.
The result means British vehicle production has got off to its slowest start to a year since 2009, when the industry was still negotiating the impact of the global financial crisis.
“Urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness,” said SMMT chief Mike Hawes.
He added that additional investment was needed to make the most of the opportunity created by the UK's recent trade deals with the US and India.
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