UK car production dropped 8.2% year-on-year to 65,249 units in January 2026, driven by a 10.1% fall in exports to 51,396 units amid weaker demand in key overseas markets. The EU, US, and China remain the largest destinations for British-made vehicles. Overall UK vehicle production, including commercial vehicles, declined 13.6% to 67,415 units, with commercial output plummeting 68.6%, marking a tenth consecutive monthly fall following major plant restructuring. Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT, said the data “underscore the need for a forward-looking trade agenda that preserves preferential access to major markets, notably the European Union,” amid rising protectionist rhetoric, including “Made in Europe” proposals. Despite the weak start to 2026, industry forecasts still anticipate total UK car production could rebound to around 790,000 units this year, suggesting January’s decline may not signal a structural downturn. source: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT)

Car Production in the United Kingdom increased to 65249 Units in January from 53003 Units in December of 2025. Car Production in the United Kingdom averaged 109186.60 Units from 1977 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 185157.00 Units in March of 2000 and a record low of 197.00 Units in April of 2020. This page provides - United Kingdom Car Production- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United Kingdom Car Production - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Car Production in the United Kingdom increased to 65249 Units in January from 53003 Units in December of 2025. Car Production in the United Kingdom is expected to be 78702.00 Units by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United Kingdom Car Production is projected to trend around 54014.00 Units in 2027 and 54878.00 Units in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-29 12:01 AM
Car Production YoY
Dec 17.7% -14.3% 6.7%
2026-02-27 12:01 AM
Car Production YoY
Jan -8.2% 17.7% 5.3%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 1744.00 1683.00 Companies Jan 2026
BRC Retail Sales Monitor YoY 0.70 2.30 percent Feb 2026
CBI Business Optimism Index -19.00 -31.00 points Mar 2026
Car Production YoY 65249.00 53003.00 Units Jan 2026
Car Registrations 90100.00 144127.00 Units Feb 2026
Changes in Inventories -1660.00 1026.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Composite Leading Indicator 101.22 101.14 points Feb 2026
Corporate Profits 165030.00 160993.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Corruption Index 70.00 71.00 Points Dec 2025
Corruption Rank 20.00 20.00 Dec 2025
Crude Oil Rigs 5.00 3.00 Feb 2026
Electricity Price 106.19 101.71 GBP/MWh Mar 2026
Electricity Production 49970.00 49485.00 Gigawatt-hour Sep 2025
CBI Industrial Trends Orders -28.00 -30.00 Net Balance Feb 2026
Industrial Production YoY 0.50 2.30 percent Dec 2025
Industrial Production MoM -0.90 1.30 percent Dec 2025
GDP 3-Month Avg 0.10 -0.10 percent Dec 2025
Manufacturing Production YoY 0.50 1.30 percent Dec 2025
Manufacturing Production MoM -0.50 1.90 Percent Dec 2025
Mining Production -0.60 2.10 percent Dec 2025
New Orders 11935.00 12404.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
New Car Sales YoY 7.20 3.40 percent Feb 2026
Business Investment -2.70 1.60 percent Dec 2025


United Kingdom Car Production
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
65249.00 53003.00 185157.00 197.00 1977 - 2026 Units Monthly
NSA

News Stream
UK Car Production Falls on Weak Exports
UK car production dropped 8.2% year-on-year to 65,249 units in January 2026, driven by a 10.1% fall in exports to 51,396 units amid weaker demand in key overseas markets. The EU, US, and China remain the largest destinations for British-made vehicles. Overall UK vehicle production, including commercial vehicles, declined 13.6% to 67,415 units, with commercial output plummeting 68.6%, marking a tenth consecutive monthly fall following major plant restructuring. Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT, said the data “underscore the need for a forward-looking trade agenda that preserves preferential access to major markets, notably the European Union,” amid rising protectionist rhetoric, including “Made in Europe” proposals. Despite the weak start to 2026, industry forecasts still anticipate total UK car production could rebound to around 790,000 units this year, suggesting January’s decline may not signal a structural downturn.
2026-02-27
UK Car Production Rises 17.7% in December
UK car production rose 17.7% year-on-year to 53,003 units in December 2025, ending a four-month decline after a cyber incident disrupted output earlier in the year. However, total vehicle production fell 15.5% in 2025 to 764,715 units, weighed down by the cyber disruption, new transatlantic trade tariffs, plant consolidation in the commercial vehicle segment, and ongoing restructuring as the industry shifts toward decarbonization. Over the year, production for the UK market declined 8.2% to 161,545 units, while exports fell 7.9% to 555,826 units, accounting for 77.5% of output. Europe remained the main export destination (56.7%), followed by the US (15.0%) and China (6.3%). Production of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hybrid vehicles rose 8.3% to 298,813 units, lifting electrified models to a record 41.7% share of total output.
2026-01-29
UK Car Production Falls 14.3% in November
UK car production fell 14.3% year-on-year in November 2025 to 65,932 units, marking a fourth consecutive monthly decline, although output has been gradually normalizing following a cyber incident at the country’s largest carmaker. The downturn reflected a modest 1.7% fall in passenger car output to 63,126 units, alongside a much sharper 78% slump in commercial vehicle production, with just 2,806 units manufactured, down 9,943 units from a year earlier. Production for the UK market rose 46.9% to 14,589 units, while output for export dropped 10.6% to 48,537, as shipments to the five largest export destinations the EU, US, Türkiye, China and Japan all declined. The data capped a mixed week for the sector, with the launch of next generation, high volume electric vehicle production in Sunderland offset by concerns over the European Commission’s plans to link additional flexibility on CO2 targets and public subsidies for fleet electrification to cars and vans made in the EU.
2025-12-19