UK car manufacturing output fell -37.6% in July, the first fall since February, with 53,438 units made, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
SMMT highlighted this was the worst July performance since 1956 as manufacturers grappled with the global shortage of semiconductors and staff absence resulting from the ‘pingdemic’.
In July production for the UK market declined -38.7% to 8,233 and manufacturing for export was down -37.4% with 45,205 cars shipped overseas. Exports accounted for more than eight out of 10 (84.6%) vehicles built in the month as buyers around the world continued to be attracted to the wide range of high-quality cars made in Britain, including the latest alternatively fuelled models.
Battery electric (BEV), plug in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid electric (HEV) achieved a record market share of 26% (of all cars made in July), with the UK producing 126,757 units since the start of 2021.
