Car manufacturing increased for the third month in a row in April with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Trader reporting a 9.9% increase to 66,527 units.
Meanwhile, commercial vehicle output is nine per cent up year-to-date after a 33% surge in April to 10,504.
Production increases in the car sector were driven by a sharp rise in electric vehicle output, with hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) rising 37.7% to 113,315 units. This represents 56.2% of combined volumes.
However, the SMMT has warned of a looming cliff-edge when the more stringent rules governing the origin of materials used in electric vehicles and batteries come into force on 1 January, 2024.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “UK car production is starting to motor again, good news for the sector and the many thousands of jobs and livelihoods it sustains. These figures also show how exports, particularly to Europe, continue to be the foundation of British automotive manufacturing so we must do all we can to safeguard the competitiveness of these trading relationships. Most immediately, this means finding a solution to the rules of origin challenge faced by manufacturers on both sides of the Channel, else we risk the application of tariffs – and therefore unnecessary cost – on the very vehicles we are trying to encourage consumers to purchase.”
