Car production rallies as supply constraints ease

ILC ARTICLE

31st March 2023

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has announced that UK car production rose 13.1% in February to 69,707 units, with supply chain pressures easing.

Meanwhile, the transition to hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles continued with combined volumes surging 72.2% from 15,905 to a total of 27,392 units and accounting for two in five (39.3%) cars produced in the month.

Against this however, commercial vehicle production fell by 21.6% in the second month of the year to 6,491 units.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “February’s growth in UK car production signposts an industry on the road to recovery. The fundamentals of the sector are strong; a highly skilled workforce, engineering excellence, a sector that is embracing new electrified vehicle manufacturing and wide ranging capabilities in the EV supply chain. To take advantage of global opportunities, however, we must scale up at pace and make the UK the most attractive destination for automotive investment by addressing trading and fiscal costs and delivering low carbon, affordable energy.”