Motor Industry Facts 2020

Data and information on the automotive industry

Motor Industry Facts

The latest data and background information on the UK automotive industry

Facts & Figures

Automotive is the UK’s largest exporter of goods, and it generates global trade worth £100 billion a year

The UK is one of Europe's biggest car market, registering some 2.04 million new vehicles in 2021

Around 30 manufacturers build some 70 vehicle models in the UK, aided by 2,500 parts makers and some of the world's most skilled engineers

781,800 people work in UK Auto across every region, with 182,000 directly in manufacturing, earning wages 21% higher than the UK average

The UK built more than 859,575 cars, 72,913 commercial vehicles and 1.6 million engines in 2021

UK car makers trade globally, with 55% of exports going to EU. A further 16.8% go to the US, 8.1% to China, 2.4% to Japan and 1.5% to Canada

Britain is home to the world’s largest and most diverse specialist car manufacturing sector, producing some of the most globally iconic brands

The UK is an innovation powerhouse, with 20 automotive R&D centres, nine design centres and seven of the world’s 10 F1 teams…

… and it is the world’s number one location for mass-market potential of connected and autonomous vehicles, with a £62bn opportunity by 2030

Investment is driving demand for EVs, with more than 143 battery and plug-in hybrid electric cars on sale in 2022

From vehicle registrations and production, to supply chain, CO2, future mobility, jobs and global trade, SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts report provides all the latest information on the UK automotive industry.

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