UK car production on the mend but not fully recovered

United kingdom car creation was in reasonable wellness previous thirty day period, with sixty eight,306 cars and trucks designed here in April 2021. This is a 34,573.one per cent enhance on April 2020, when lockdown limits held factories closed and just 197 cars and trucks ended up produced.

April’s creation figures ended up 3.8 per cent down on the very same thirty day period in 2019, nevertheless, while yr-to-date creation for 2021 of 374,864 cars and trucks demonstrates a similar development: up seventeen.3 per cent on the very same period of time in 2020, but down fifteen per cent on 2019.

In comparison with the five-yr averages, April 2021 was down 42.nine per cent for the thirty day period, and January to April 2021 was down 31.one per cent. The Modern society of Motor Producers and Traders (SMMT), which furnished the figures, states this signifies “the scale of the challenge” dealing with the United kingdom car marketplace.

Of the cars and trucks designed in the United kingdom in April, 22.8 per cent ended up electric powered, plug-in hybrid and typical hybrid models. Year to date, creation of these alternatively fuelled motor vehicles has developed 33.one per cent compared with the very same period of time in 2019.

So much this yr, there has been a 3.one per cent decline in United kingdom-designed cars and trucks destined for the domestic sector, while 22.five per cent extra have been exported. Some eighty three.3 per cent of United kingdom-designed cars and trucks are produced for overseas markets, with 52.one per cent sent to the EU, seventeen.4 per cent to the US and seven.4 per cent to China.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “April’s figures ended up often heading to be outstanding, as factories ended up closed at this time previous yr amid the 1st wave of the pandemic. However, the scenario for United kingdom car producers remains complicated, specially with the worldwide shortage of semiconductors influencing output.

“While it’s superior news that the United kingdom is on monitor with its Covid roadmap back again to normality, we even now have to have sturdy domestic demand from customers and presented we’re export-led, confident overseas markets to drive a restoration, both equally for the automotive sector and for the broader financial system.”

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