UK Car production sinks by a Quarter in January

Fall in the manufacturing of several cars in the UK by 27% in January, the worst figure for over a decade due to coronavirus shutdowns.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) exclaimed that a little over 86,000 cars were built, having a fall of 32,262 compared to January last year.

The trade industry body gave its input on the decline of the production of cars due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus crisis, extended factory shutdowns, global chain problems, and friction in the new post-Brexit trading arrangements, contributing as a whole.

The cost of lost car production has now increased to more than 11bn euros since a year ago, SMMT found.

There has been some research stating that UK production of battery-electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), and hybrid vehicles (HEV) continue to increase from last year, with a combined output of the vehicles rising 18.9% in January to 21,792 units.

Mr. Hawes said, “Whilst there have been some very welcome recent announcements, we need to secure our medium to long-term future by creating the conditions that will attract battery ‘gigafactory’ investment and transform the supply chain.”

The firm Stellantis is likely to invest in making a new generation of electric cars in the North West of England when it becomes confident in the UK being able to build the necessary battery production to service Ellesmere Port and other UK car plants.