ILC ARTICLE

Output up 11.7% in first six months

1st August 2023

Car production in the UK rose for the fifth month in a row in June, taking output in the first half of the year to 450,168 units.

This represents an increase of 11.7% on last year although it remains 32.5% down on pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the uplift was driven by a 13.6% increase in exports while production for the domestic market rose 4.5%.

Meanwhile, the growth in production of electric vehicles continued in the first six months of the year, with 170,231 new hybrids, plug-ins and full EVs. This represents a rise of 71.6% and accounts for 37.8% of all new cars produced this year.  

Elsewhere, van production in the UK enjoyed best first half of the year since 2011, with 58,675 units manufactured. June’s total of 11,748 represented a 23% increase.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “UK car manufacturing is growing again, with production – especially of electrified models – increasing and major investment announcements making headlines. This is testament to the resilience of the sector and its undoubted strengths – a skilled and productive workforce, world-class R&D, and efficient, productive plants. But we must build on this momentum, sustain growth and attract further investments with a strategy that focuses on competitiveness and which strengthens the UK’s unique automotive offering.”