UK Car Production Falls 1.2% in June

2026-07-29 23:36 By Chusnul Chotimah 1 min. read

UK car production dropped 1.2% year-on-year to 68,200 units in June 2026, reversing a 3.2% rise in May.

The decline came even as domestic production plunged 17.5% yoy, though car exports rose 4.5%.

For H1 of the year, car production fell 7.5% yoy to 385,979 units amid trade uncertainty, with exports dropping 5.6% to 294,222 units.

Meanwhile, domestic production shed 13.2% to 91,757 units.

"Clearly, vehicle production is still under severe pressure, but the last quarter suggests at least a sign of stabilization," said SMMT CEO Mike Hawes.

Exports accounted for 76.2% of all vehicles built, underscoring the sector's dependence on international trade.

Among key export markets, the United States was the second-largest market, accounting for 15.8% of exports, despite volumes dropping 4.6% to 45,162 units.

Exports to China, the third-largest market, plunged 44.7% to 12,323 units.

Meanwhile, exports to the EU, the largest market, rose 3.4% to 166,801 units, accounting for 58.3% of exports.



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UK Car Production Falls 1.2% in June
UK car production dropped 1.2% year-on-year to 68,200 units in June 2026, reversing a 3.2% rise in May. The decline came even as domestic production plunged 17.5% yoy, though car exports rose 4.5%. For H1 of the year, car production fell 7.5% yoy to 385,979 units amid trade uncertainty, with exports dropping 5.6% to 294,222 units. Meanwhile, domestic production shed 13.2% to 91,757 units. "Clearly, vehicle production is still under severe pressure, but the last quarter suggests at least a sign of stabilization," said SMMT CEO Mike Hawes. Exports accounted for 76.2% of all vehicles built, underscoring the sector's dependence on international trade. Among key export markets, the United States was the second-largest market, accounting for 15.8% of exports, despite volumes dropping 4.6% to 45,162 units. Exports to China, the third-largest market, plunged 44.7% to 12,323 units. Meanwhile, exports to the EU, the largest market, rose 3.4% to 166,801 units, accounting for 58.3% of exports.
2026-07-29
UK Car Production Rises for 1st Time This Year
UK car production rose 3.2% year-on-year to 49,249 units in May 2026, reversing four consecutive monthly declines and marking the first increase this year. The recovery was driven by stronger overseas demand, with car exports rising 3.9% to 38,897 units and accounting for 79% of total output. Among key export markets, the United States recorded the largest increase, surging 83.1% to 7,733 units, supported by the implementation of the US-UK trade agreement, while exports to the EU, the largest market, fell 5.2% to 20,057 units. Exports to China also declined 14.3% to 2,794 units. Domestic demand remained subdued, with UK-bound car production edging up just 0.7% to 10,352 units. Despite May’s improvement, UK car output in the first five months of 2026 remained 4.1% lower than a year earlier, as manufacturers continued to face weak domestic demand, elevated costs, and ongoing trade uncertainties.
2026-06-24
UK Car Production Falls 0.7% in April
UK car production dropped 0.7% year-on-year to a four-month low of 56,135 units in April 2026, following a 0.8% decline in the previous month, reflecting broader model changeovers amid challenges in several key global markets. Meanwhile, car exports shrank 8.2%, although the EU remained the largest destination, accounting for 53.2% of exports, with shipments to the bloc rising 6.9% to 23,103 units. Exports also grew to the US, rising 6.8% to 7,558 units, but plunged to China, slumping 44.4% to 2,081 units. However, exports continued to drive production, accounting for 76.4% of all vehicle output in the month. A 1.1% rise in cars produced for global markets offset the decline in shipments, resulting in an overall 0.8% increase in outbound trade. Meanwhile, domestic car output for the UK fell 6.4% to 12,700 units. In the first four months of the year, car output dropped 5.4% to 257,024 units.
2026-05-27