The latest auto manufacturing figures released today mark “yet another month of decline for UK car production” and are “a grave concern” according to Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. The total for January 2021 of 86,052 is the worst start to a year since 2009 and represents a decrease of 27.3 percent on the same period in 2019.
According to SMMT, “multiple factors, including the ongoing effects of the pandemic, global supply chain issues, extended shutdowns and friction in the new trading arrangements following the end of the Brexit transition period, affected output.” Looking to the immediate future, Hawes said: “We must get our Covid-secure car showrooms back open, ideally before 12 April. This will be the fastest way to UK automotive manufacturing recovery”.
This chart shows the number of cars manufactured in the UK in January of each year from 2011 to 2021.
