UK automobile manufacturing declined by -17.7% within the first month of the 12 months, with factories turning out 71,104 vehicles and 6,908 business autos (CVs) for a complete of 78,012 models.
The efficiency follows a powerful January final 12 months, when automobile and CV output surged by 21.0% and 27.5% respectively, and displays weak point in key markets, notably the EU, China and the UK itself, mixed with deliberate mannequin changeovers.
Manufacturing for the UK market fell -30.4% to 13,964 models, amid plant restructuring and slower than anticipated rollout of latest fashions as producers reply to softening demand within the UK and different key markets.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief govt, stated, “UK automobile producers face an ideal storm of world commerce uncertainty, difficult manufacturing circumstances and a market transition which is proving harder than anticipated.
“The sector is doing all it may possibly to maintain manufacturing plans on monitor however wants authorities to make sure automotive is on the coronary heart of its forthcoming industrial and commerce methods with promised funding invested as quickly as potential.
Doing so will assist guarantee our competitiveness and safeguard the billions of kilos of funding, jobs and financial progress which is now at stake.”
