UK car production declines 10% in July

London – UK car manufacturing output declined 10.6% in July, with 108,239 units produced, according to figures released by the country’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This marked the 14th successive month of decline in production, impacted by ongoing weakness in major EU and Asian markets as well as some key model changes domestically, SMMT announced 29 Aug.

“Another month of decline for UK car manufacturing is a serious concern,” warned Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commenting on the figures.

The sector, he went on to say, is “overwhelmingly reliant on exports” amid escalating trade tensions, softening demand and significant technological change.

Car production for export fell 14.6% in the month, although overseas demand remained the main driver of overall volumes.

Meanwhile, output for the domestic market rose by 10.2%, or just fewer than 2,000 units, following a steep 35.1% fall in July last year.

Over the seven months to end of July, some 774,760 cars were made in the UK, 18.9% lower than the year before.