Market woes hit UK’s Brexit-troubled car industry

London – UK car production declined in March, with demand falling 13.3% year-on-year, according to the latest figures on 26 April the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

SMMT’s data, released 26 April, show that 147,471 cars were built in UK factories as domestic demand fell 17.7% and exports 11.9% of fluctuating demand in some global markets.

Overall output in the first quarter of 2018 fell -6.3%, with 440,426 cars leaving production lines in total this year. Almost 80% of these were exported, and while demand from overseas customers fell -4.0% in Q1, this was dwarfed by the -14.1% decline in manufacturing for the UK market.

“Following recent announcements on jobs cutbacks in the sector, it’s vitally important that the industry and consumers receive greater certainty,” said according to Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT.

This, he said, includes future policies towards diesel and other low emission technologies, and our post-Brexit trading relationships and customs arrangements.

“Maintaining free and frictionless trade is an absolute priority – it has been fundamental to our past success and is key to our future growth,” concluded Hawes.