British carmakers report worst November production since 1980

LONDON (dpa-AFX) – British car production recorded its biggest fall for the month of November since 1980, largely reflecting weaker global demand, according to data released on Friday by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Auto production fell 30.1 percent on an annual basis in November. This is the ninth consecutive decline.

Only 64,216 cars rolled off factory lines due to weak global demand and the fact that production increased sharply in November 2023 as Covid-related supply chain challenges faded.

Additionally, manufacturers were retooling their factories to build electric vehicles.

All major manufacturers recorded declines, marking the worst monthly performance since 1980. Production for the domestic market plunged 56.7 percent and export markets shrank 21.3 percent.

Since the start of the year, car production has fallen 12.9% to 734,562 units, 108,787 fewer than the same period last year and almost half a million less than the 2019 volumes.

The decline was expected as restructuring is underway in the global automotive industry and companies are shifting from producing internal combustion engines to producing electric vehicles.

The SMMT said the UK automotive industry is well placed to benefit from this change, as evidenced by recent announcements of investment in electric vehicle and battery production.

However, the SMMT said the UK government should act quickly by introducing incentives for private consumers, boosting infrastructure deployment and quickly implementing a competitive industrial and trade strategy.