UK carmakers have recorded their best September since 2020 - but warned growth is 'under threat' from new Brexit export rules due to come into force within months. More than 88,200 vehicles rolled off factory lines in September, an increase of over 25,100 - almost 40% - compared to the same time last year, figures published on Thursday reveal.
chief executive Mike Hawes hailed the figures as 'particularly strong' and 'good news for the UK, given the thousands of jobs and billions of pounds of investment that depend on the sector'. However, it comes only months before new 'rules of origin' Brexit trade regulations are due to come into force in January 2024. Under the measure, 45% of the value of an EV must originate in the EU or UK for it to avoid being slapped with a 10% trade tariff.
said the industry's growth in the UK, particularly from the manufacture of EVs, was 'under threat' from the imminent introduction of the new rules and called for them to be delayed by three years. It warned the tariff could raise the average cost of UK-built battery electric vehicles by £3,600 in Europe, while EU-made models sold in the UK could experience an average price hike of £3,400.
said the volume of British cars exported to global markets has risen by 16%, to more than 500,000 units, since January, with EVs accounting for more than a third of shipments, up from a quarter a year ago. Vauxhall's parent company Stellantis has also called for a delay in the introduction of the rules - which are part of the 2020 Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU.