March 29, 2024

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UK car production down 41.4% in October

Automobile manufacturing in the United kingdom fell forty one.four per cent calendar year-on-calendar year in October 2021, with just sixty four,729 motor vehicles rolling off generation lines, earning for the worst October for the sector since 1956.

The continuing world semiconductor shortage was the major trigger, according to the Society of Motor Makers and Traders (SMMT), introducing that this was compounded by the closure of Honda’s manufacturing facility in Swindon at the conclusion of July.

Production for domestic and overseas markets was down 37.nine per cent and forty two.one per cent respectively. Eight in ten autos developed in the United kingdom in October have been delivered overseas, with sixty per cent of these heading to EU international locations. Shipments to the EU fell 29.two per cent through the month, with the variety of autos despatched to Japan and the US down fifty seven.one per cent and 67 per cent respectively.

The excellent news is that electric, plug-in hybrid and conventional hybrid autos comprised 30.nine per cent of all autos developed in the United kingdom in the course of October, with EV manufacturing alone growing seventeen.5 per cent calendar year-on-calendar year to eight,454 units. So far this calendar year, British makers have developed more than 50,000 zero-emission motor vehicles, exceeding the full developed in the entire of 2019 despite the impacts of Covid and the semiconductor shortage,

12 months-to-date generation output is nevertheless below that of Covid-hit 2020 while, falling two.nine per cent to 721,505 units.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “These figures are really stressing and clearly show how poorly the world semiconductor shortage is hitting United kingdom vehicle makers and their suppliers.

“Britain’s automotive sector is resilient, but with Covid resurgent across some of our biggest markets and world source chains stretched and even breaking, the immediate challenges in keeping the sector operational are huge.

“Government can enable the sector with measures to boost competitiveness in line with world rivals, notably in tackling substantial energy fees, supporting employment and instruction, and helping corporations whose cashflow is below strain from these historically weak generation quantities.”

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