Friday 31 July 2020

UK car production ‘falls 42% in first half of 2020, the lowest record since 1954’

The number of cars built in the UK in the last six months plummeted to the lowest level since 1954.

That's according to the latest report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which suggests the car production is down 42.8%, a decline of more than 285,000 vehicles.

Figures also show UK car manufacturing output declined by 48.2% in June with 56,594 units produced.

The trade body also estimates 11,349 jobs were axed in the past six months at carmakers, the supply chain and retail companies during the pandemic.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "These figures are yet more grim reading for the industry and its workforce, and reveal the difficulties all automotive businesses face as they try to restart while tackling sectoral challenges like no other.

"Our factories were once set to make two million cars in 2020 but could now produce less than half that number, a result of the devastating effects of the pandemic on top of already challenging market conditions and years of Brexit uncertainty."

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