Skip advert
Advertisement

UK car production on slow road to recovery in June

With over 450k cars built in the first half of 2023, the UK car industry is still on an upward trajectory but remains 32.5% down on pre-COVID levels

Production line

The British car industry is slowly recovering after the record lows caused by the pandemic and subsequent component shortages, according to official figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

UK car production rose to 450,168 units for the year to date, a rise of 11.7 per cent for the first half of 2023. June’s figure was up by 16.2 per cent compared to the same month last year, making it the fifth consecutive month of growth. However, the year-to-date output totals are still 32.5 per cent below the pre-COVID levels of 2019.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The slow recovery in the production numbers has been made possible by British car makers securing new supplies of essential components such as semiconductors and wiring looms, which were disrupted by the COVID crisis and war in Ukraine.

Electric and electrified models have seen the greatest growth, with production of hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure battery electric vehicles up 71.6 per cent from January to June to a record total of 170,231 units. This meant they made up 37.8 per cent of all cars produced in the UK. 

UK car manufacturing

There was also good news for exports, which have surged 13.6 per cent to 359,940 units. This means eight out of every 10 cars made in the UK during the first half of 2023 was sent overseas. 

The European Union remains the UK’s largest market, taking 59.5 per cent of all exported cars, up by 11.2 per cent to 214,017 so far this year. The US, China, Japan and Australia make up the remaining top five export destinations for British-built cars.

Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, said: “UK car manufacturing is growing again, with production – especially of electrified models – increasing and major investment announcements making headlines. 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.”

In the market for a new car? These are some of the best deals right now...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

‘Secret’ UK courts are fast-tracking speeding fines say magistrates
Speed camera van window
News

‘Secret’ UK courts are fast-tracking speeding fines say magistrates

New guidance from Magistrates’ Association calls for reform and aims to expose ‘secret’ Single Justice Procedure system
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024
Low on stock: Only 1-in-10 UK supermarkets offer electric car charging
Polestar 2 and LEVC TX connected to Sainsburys EV chargers
News

Low on stock: Only 1-in-10 UK supermarkets offer electric car charging

A survey by Zap-Map and the RAC reveals only 13% of supermarkets are equipped with EV chargers, despite a 59% increase in the past year
22 Mar 2024
Mis-sold car finance scandal: could you be due compensation?
Missold car finance
News

Mis-sold car finance scandal: could you be due compensation?

Did you buy a car on finance between April 2007 and January 2021? You could be owed thousands!
21 Mar 2024

Most Popular

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years
Upcoming Audi models - four-way image
News

Huge Audi new car blitz to bring us 9 models in 2 years

After a quiet few years, the German giant is gearing up for its biggest product onslaught to date
25 Mar 2024
Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power
Dacia Sandero - front
News

Posh new trim level for Dacia Sandero while the Sandero Stepway gets more power

Both the Sandero and Sandero Stepway ranges have been tweaked, gaining more safety features to meet the latest regulations
26 Mar 2024
Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay
Road tax documentation
News

Road tax set to rise in April: here’s how much more you’ll pay

Drivers with newer cars can expect to be paying roughly £10 more per year, a although the biggest gas guzzlers will fare the worst
26 Mar 2024