UK car production falls in June as manufacturers retool

(Sharecast News) - Automobile output in the UK fell in June as carmakers retooled lines to produce electrified models, a business lobby group said. According to SMMT, the total output of cars shrank at an annual rate of 26.6% in June to reach 62,231., amid multiple model changes.

Year-to-date production was down by 7.6% to 416,074, as a result of a 13.9% drop in the output of cars for export.

"The new government's commitments to gigafactories, a decarbonised energy supply and a faster planning system will help boost our competitiveness and sustain employment in a sector that delivers well paid, skilled jobs nationwide," SMMT boss, Mike Hawkes said.

"Amid fierce global competition, however, industry and government must work quickly to deliver those commitments, creating an industrial strategy that enables the growth the economy craves."

The decline in production had been anticipated following £23.7bn of UK investment announced in 2023.

The EU remained by far the biggest market for UK car exports with a 55.4% share during the first six months of the year.