UK car production fell by 0.8% year-on-year to 69,755 units in March 2026, following a 10.7% drop in the previous month, as temporary parts supply disruption at a large plant, weak exports to Asian and US markets, and model changeovers weighed on output. Car exports fell 4.3% to 49,339 units, but overseas shipments still accounted for the bulk of production. The EU remained the largest destination, taking 62.6% or 30,899 units of exports, with volumes to the bloc rising for a fourth consecutive month by 4.8%, partly offsetting sharp declines in production for the US (-24.1%), China (-47.9%) and Japan (-25.3%), which together accounted for 18.6% of all shipments. Meanwhile, domestic demand strengthened, with car output for the UK up 8.7% to 20,416 units. In the first quarter, car output fell 6.7% to 200,889, mainly reflecting last year’s closure of a major UK plant. source: The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT)

Car Production in the United Kingdom increased to 69755 Units in March from 65885 Units in February of 2026. Car Production in the United Kingdom averaged 109046.61 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 May of 2026.

Car Production in the United Kingdom increased to 69755 Units in March from 65885 Units in February of 2026. Car Production in the United Kingdom is expected to be 69006.00 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
2026-03-27 12:01 AM
Car Production YoY
Feb -10.7% -8.2% 8.0%
2026-04-29 11:01 PM
Car Production YoY
Mar -0.8% -10.7% 4.4%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Bankruptcies 2022.00 1895.00 Companies Mar 2026
BRC Retail Sales Monitor YoY 3.10 0.70 percent Mar 2026
CBI Business Optimism Index -65.00 -19.00 points Jun 2026
Car Production YoY 69755.00 65885.00 Units Mar 2026
Car Registrations 149247.00 380627.00 Units Apr 2026
Changes in Inventories -992.00 355.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
Composite Leading Indicator 100.81 100.92 points Apr 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 8.00 7.00 Apr 2026
Electricity Price 91.41 91.58 GBP/MWh May 2026
Electricity Production 65847.60 49685.20 Gigawatt-hour Dec 2025
CBI Industrial Trends Orders -38.00 -27.00 Net Balance Apr 2026
Industrial Production YoY -0.40 0.50 percent Feb 2026
Industrial Production MoM 0.50 -0.10 percent Feb 2026
GDP 3-Month Avg 0.50 0.30 percent Feb 2026
Manufacturing Production YoY -0.50 1.30 percent Feb 2026
Manufacturing Production MoM -0.10 0.20 Percent Feb 2026
Mining Production -2.10 -9.10 percent Feb 2026
New Orders 11935.00 12404.00 GBP Million Dec 2025
New Car Sales YoY 24.00 6.60 percent Apr 2026
Business Investment QoQ -2.50 1.10 percent Dec 2025


United Kingdom Car Production
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
69755.00 65885.00 185157.00 197.00 1977 - 2026 Units Monthly
NSA

News Stream
UK Car Production Down 0.8% in March
UK car production fell by 0.8% year-on-year to 69,755 units in March 2026, following a 10.7% drop in the previous month, as temporary parts supply disruption at a large plant, weak exports to Asian and US markets, and model changeovers weighed on output. Car exports fell 4.3% to 49,339 units, but overseas shipments still accounted for the bulk of production. The EU remained the largest destination, taking 62.6% or 30,899 units of exports, with volumes to the bloc rising for a fourth consecutive month by 4.8%, partly offsetting sharp declines in production for the US (-24.1%), China (-47.9%) and Japan (-25.3%), which together accounted for 18.6% of all shipments. Meanwhile, domestic demand strengthened, with car output for the UK up 8.7% to 20,416 units. In the first quarter, car output fell 6.7% to 200,889, mainly reflecting last year’s closure of a major UK plant.
2026-04-30
UK Car Production Drops 10.7% in February
UK car production dropped 10.7% year-on-year to 65,885 units in February 2026, deepening from an 8.2% decline in January, as model changeovers and soft global demand weighed on output. Car exports fell 11.5% to 53,140 units, with overseas shipments still accounting for the bulk of production. The EU remained the largest destination, taking 63.6% of exports, with volumes to the bloc rising 5.3%, partly offsetting sharp declines to the US (-34.3%), China (-66.4%), and Japan (-6.8%). Domestic demand also weakened, with car output for the UK market down 7.5% to 12,745 units. Meanwhile, production of electrified vehicles (BEV, PHEV, and HEV) went down 2.8% to 26,629 units, although their share of total car output increased to 40.4%, signaling a continued shift toward low-emission vehicles despite the broader downturn.
2026-03-27
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