Lowest November automotive manufacturing recorded since 1980, says SMMT
UK automotive manufacturing was down by nearly a 3rd (30.1%) in November year-on-year in what was the ninth consecutive month of decline in 2024.
New figures, printed by the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT), present that 64,216 vehicles rolled off manufacturing facility traces, 27,711 fewer than in November final 12 months.
The SMMT says that this was because of a mixture of things, together with strategic product selections, weak spot in key international markets, ‘calendarisation’ and the truth that manufacturing grew considerably in November 2023 as Covid-related provide chain challenges light.
All main producers skilled declines, representing the worst efficiency for the month since 1980.
Mike Hawes, chief government of the automotive commerce physique, mentioned: “These figures provide little Christmas cheer for the sector.
“Whereas a decline was to be anticipated given the in depth adjustments underway at many crops, manufacturing is beneath strain at dwelling and overseas, with billions of kilos dedicated to new applied sciences, new fashions and new manufacturing tooling.”
Output for each home and export markets fell sharply, down by greater than half (56.7%) and a fifth (21.3%) respectively, with greater than eight-in-10 vehicles shipped abroad and greater than half of those (52.3%) heading into the EU.
Some 19,165 battery electrical, plug-in hybrid and hybrid electrical vehicles have been made within the month, representing nearly a 3rd (29.8%) of output, regardless of volumes declining by 45.5%.
From January to November, UK carmakers have produced greater than 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 electrified (hybrid, PHEV or BEV) autos, down 19.7% on the identical interval in 2023 due primarily to mannequin switchovers going down at main crops.
Within the 12 months thus far, UK automotive output has now fallen by 12.9% to 734,562 items – 108,787 fewer than the identical interval in 2023 and nearly half 1,000,000 wanting 2019 volumes.
Given the restructuring that’s going down throughout the worldwide automotive trade which has seen plant closures, together with the UK over this era, and the adjustments underway as firms transition from ICE to EV manufacturing, a decline was anticipated, says the SMMT.
Final month Automotive Administration reported that the Authorities will launch a ‘quick monitor’ session on electrical automobile (EV) gross sales targets within the zero emission automobile (ZEV) mandate after mounting strain from the auto trade.
Enterprise secretary Jonathan Reynolds revealed {that a} session could be launched within the coming weeks on the SMMT’s annual dinner on November 27.
Virtually 4 weeks on the ‘fast-track’ session is but to be launched by the Division for Transport (DfT).
Reynolds has burdened that the Authorities remains to be dedicated to the 2030 part out date for petrol and diesel autos, however mentioned it’s clear there’s a want for extra assist to make the transition to electrical successful.
