The UK’s output of new cars fell by 20.6% last month, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders . A total of 70,039 cars rolled out of factories across the UK in September, representing a significant shortfall compared with the 88,230 made here in the same month last year. The SMMT attributed the shortfall to the end of production of various models as their factories are retooled for upcoming electric cars.
So far this year, 592,862 cars have been built across the UK, down by 10.2% compared with the 659,901 that had been made by the end of September 2023. The SMMT said it expected the industry to return to growth once the next generation of models is released, with car and van production forecast to rise above 1 million units in 2027. UK-built cars due for replacement between now and 2027 are the Leaf, Juke, Qashqai, Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque.