UK car production fell by almost a third in November, reports industry body

Car production in the UK saw a decline of nearly a third in November, marking the ninth consecutive month of decrease, new data reveals.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that 64,216 cars were manufactured, which is 27,711 less than the same period last year.

The SMMT attributed this reduction to a slump in global markets and the significant growth in production witnessed in November last year. Car manufacturers are also transitioning their factories to produce electric vehicles.

In November alone, over 19,000 battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electric cars were produced, accounting for almost a third of total output. So far this year, overall car production in the UK has dropped by just under 13% to 734,562 units – 108,787 fewer than the same period in 2023 and nearly half a million short of 2019 volumes, according to the SMMT.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented: "These figures offer little Christmas cheer for the sector. While a decline was to be expected given the extensive changes under way at many plants, manufacturing is under pressure at home and abroad, with billions of pounds committed to new technologies, new models and new production tooling."

Hawes concluded by saying: "Government can help by supporting consumers in the transition, fast tracking its industrial strategy for advanced manufacturing and, most urgently, reviewing the market regulation which is putting enormous strain on the sector."