Wed, 28 May 2025

Wed, 28 May 2025 UK car production falls sharply in April

The number of new vehicles made in the UK was the lowest figure for April - outside the pandemic - since 1952.

* UK vehicle production fell by 16% in April compared to the same month last year and 25% compared to March.
* The lowest April output since 1952 (outside of pandemic years) was recorded, with 59,203 vehicles manufactured.
* Car production for exports fell by 10.1%, driven by declines in demand from major markets such as the US and EU.
* The total number of vehicles manufactured in the UK for the first four months of the year was the lowest since 2009.
* Trade deals with the US, EU, and India may help boost upcoming production.
* Industry experts attribute the decline to a shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), Easter timing, and trade tariffs.
* Prof Peter Wells notes that the global pressures facing the industry are not unique to the UK, but the country's fewer trade barriers against Chinese imports and policy uncertainty may exacerbate the issue.
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