Number of cars built in UK falls for seventh month in a row

Mar 29, 2018

Industry stresses importance of EU trade after double-digit drop in production in February

The number of cars built in the UK has fallen again following the seventh consecutive month of decline in the domestic market, new figures show.

Just under 145,500 cars rolled off production lines last month, 4.4% fewer than in February last year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported.

There was another double-digit decline in production of cars for the UK, down by 17%, following falls of 24% in December, 28% in November and 14% in September.

Exports also fell, by 0.8%, with 117,139 vehicles shipped overseas, 80% of the total output.

Mike Hawes, the SMMT chief executive, said: “Another month of double-digit decline in production for the UK is of considerable concern, but we hope that the degree of certainty provided by last week’s Brexit transition agreement will help stimulate business and consumer confidence over the coming months.

“These figures also highlight the scale of our sector’s dependency on exports, so a final deal that keeps our frictionless trade links with our biggest market, the EU, after December 2020 is now a pressing priority.”

Source: The Guardian News