vehicle producing in the UK has seen its worst January since 2009 with 68,790 vehicles rolling off production lines in January 2022 – 20.1 per cent fewer than in the exact same month last year.
The autumn is even worse in view of the truth that January 2021 was one of the weakest on record because of friction in the then-new post-Brexit trading arrangements, prolonged factory shutdowns, as well as Covid-19 disruption.
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The difficulties dealt with this time around around were driven mainly by the continuous worldwide semiconductor shortage. This was exacerbated, the society of motor manufacturers as well as Traders (SMMT) says, by the closure of Honda Swindon in July 2021 as well as production variations from some prominent UK vehicle designs being altered over.
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In more positive news, there was a continued shift towards additionally fuelled vehicles, with EVs now accounting for one in 11 vehicles developed in the UK. Electric, hybrid as well as plug-in hybrids integrated accounted for more than a quarter of vehicles created in January 2022.
Production for both the overseas as well as domestic markets fell year-on-year, however, by 17.5 per cent as well as 30.8 per cent respectively. Exports accounted for more than 80 per cent of vehicles made.
Some 59.1 per cent of exported vehicles went to the EU, while 10.4 per cent went to China as well as 10 per cent were sent to the US.
The SMMT now estimates that 979,000 vehicles will be developed in the UK in 2022; this would represent a 14.4 per cent boost on 2021.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, commented: “It’s one more torrid begin to the year as worldwide supply problems as well as structural modifications capture output while design modifications effect production scheduling.
“The UK automotive producing market is, however, fundamentally strong as well as recent investment announcements are testament to the prospective for growth, not least in terms of rising EV production.
“Long-term healing can only be delivered, however, if worldwide competitiveness is assured as well as for that we must address both inflationary as well as fixed costs, most obviously escalating energy prices, however likewise fiscal as well as trading costs. Every determine must be taken if we are to secure a bright, electrified future for our world-class automotive producing base as well as the high skilled, high value tasks it produces across Britain.”
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