UK’s car manufacturing registered its weakest February this year in more than a decade with 105,008 units. Compared to prior year, production has slipped 14pc. This is the 18th consecutive month of decline in production, noted UK’s auto body, Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Impact of COVID-19 continues to play its negative impact on the UK market, shuttered showrooms and global supply chain disruption causing the drop in production volumes in February.
Production for home country in February fell 34pc to 17,689 units produced while 87,319 units were produced for exports, down 8pc from the preceding year. For 2021, total production is down 20.6pc from the prior year period to 191,060 units.
Overseas orders accounted for 83pc of total production in the UK in February, 53pc was manufactured for EU and shipments to US and Asia accounted for 30.9pc of all UK export cars.
Shortage of semiconductors has become the additional challengel impacting the market and manufacturing operations, SMMT noted. Most UK showrooms are scheduled to open on April 12. Roll-out of vaccines is also set to improve the sentiments.
SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes said that the auto sector plays a crucial role in getting UK back on its feet, driving growth and supporting jobs.
Outlook
UK car production for 2021 is expected to reach 1.05mn, up 15.8pc from 2020 levels, which was one of the weakest years since 1984. If situation strengthens, car production could reach 1.1mn but would still remain below 2019 levels of 1.3mn units, noted SMMT.