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

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns
Emissions tests questioned

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns

The DfT is currently investigating as many as 47 models across several brands that are suspected to use diesel defeat devices
News
14 Nov 2024
Car finance scandal firms given more time to process complaints by FCA
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal firms given more time to process complaints by FCA

As much as £16 billion could be up for grabs for car finance customers affected by discretionary commission arrangements
News
14 Nov 2024
MOT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MOT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024
Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers
Renault Zoe being driven in Paris

Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers

Drivers entering Paris city centre will have to prove residency or a valid destination to avoid a fine
News
5 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Cheap electric car finance could be on the cards as government aims to boost sales
Omoda E5 - front tracking

Cheap electric car finance could be on the cards as government aims to boost sales

A newspaper column and whispers suggest that government-backed cheap EV loans could be coming to stimulate market
News
2 Dec 2024
Nissan Qashqai alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Nissan’s big-selling SUV
Nissan Qashqai alternatives - header image

Nissan Qashqai alternatives: cars you could buy instead of Nissan’s big-selling SUV

Nissan’s Qashqai has been a hit since the first generation launched in 2006, but if it’s not quite your cup of tea, we’ve rounded up the best of the r…
Features
1 Dec 2024
New Ford Puma Gen-E arrives to challenge the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Avenger
Ford Puma Gen-E - front studio

New Ford Puma Gen-E arrives to challenge the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Avenger

Despite being based on the petrol car, electric Ford Puma gets bespoke features and a massive boot
News
3 Dec 2024