May 2020 UK Car Manufacturing
May 2020 UK Car Manufacturing
- plarge
- June 26, 2020
- 3:32 pm
- Car, UK Manufacturing
UK car production falls -95.4% in May as sector begins to restart
- British car production falls -95.4% in May with plants either closed or restarting at reduced capacity.
- Just 5,314 units roll off production lines as social distancing measures and market lockdowns restrict output.
- Year-to-date UK factories turn out 324,763 cars, down -41.7% on 2019.
Friday 26 June, 2020
UK car manufacturing output fell -95.4% in May with just 5,314 vehicles rolling off production lines, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The performance was a slight improvement on April, when only 197 units were built but with factories still closed or running at reduced capacity it still marked the worst May since 1946.
While some two thirds of the UK’s automotive plants started getting back to business during the month, capacity was severely held back by social distancing requirements and reduced demand, with key global markets only just beginning to reopen and the UK remaining in lockdown.1 4,260 cars were exported in May, most into the EU, the US and China, and with English car showrooms not reopening until 1 June, only 1,054 models were built for domestic buyers.
In the first five months, UK factories turned out 324,763 cars, representing a decline of -41.7% on the same period in 2019 and a loss of more than 230,000 units, with the full year outlook now expected to be fewer than one million units.2
The news comes as SMMT’s latest member survey reveals the challenges companies face as they emerge from the pandemic. While government support schemes have provided a lifeline for many businesses, in particular the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, liquidity is still a major issue for automotive businesses as they seek to ramp up operations, with 70% experiencing challenges in this area. Potentially up to one in six jobs is at risk of redundancy when the furlough scheme comes to an end in November.3
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,
May’s figures are yet more evidence of why the UK industry, like its global rivals, needs dedicated support to drive a successful restart. Government assistance so far has been vital in keeping many businesses afloat, but the job isn’t done. Measures to boost cashflow, including additional and tailored finance schemes, tax relief and business rates deferral would deliver immediate results when liquidity is most acute. We have to retain the highly skilled jobs the sector provides but also ensure the business conditions are competitive so we can unlock the investment that will drive long-term recovery – a green recovery – which is inextricably linked the sector’s success.
The figures are released as SMMT welcomes government’s commitment to ‘turbocharge’ negotiations to secure a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU by the end of the year. With the industry already hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, it cannot withstand a second shock of a hard Brexit. The imposition of tariffs, customs duties and disruption at the end of the transition period would be devastating, and must be avoided at all costs.
Notes to editors
1 SMMT analysis of UK automotive plants restarting
2 Independent outlook by Auto Analysis
3 SMMT member survey carried out June 2020
File Downloads
- May 2020
May 2020
Title | Description | Version | Size | Hits | Date added | Download |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
UK new car production May 2020 | 103.79 KB | 368 | 06-10-2020 | DownloadPreview | ||
SMMT_UK car manufacturing data for May 2020 | 354.80 KB | 315 | 06-10-2020 | Download | ||
MH quote box | 369.31 KB | 361 | 06-10-2020 | DownloadPreview | ||
Car output_rolling year totals May 2020 | 109.87 KB | 351 | 06-10-2020 | DownloadPreview | ||
Car manufacturing summary May 2020 | 254.88 KB | 361 | 06-10-2020 | DownloadPreview |
Notes to Editors
About SMMT and the UK automotive industry
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. It supports the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.
The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for £82 billion turnover and £18.6 billion value added. With some 168,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and 823,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 13% of total UK export of goods and invests £3.75 billion each year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build some 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by 2,400 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers.
More detail on UK automotive available in SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts 2019 publication at smmt.co.uk/facts20
Broadcasters
SMMT has an ISDN studio and access to expert spokespeople, case studies and regional representatives.
SMMT media contacts
- Paul Mauerhoff, 020 7344 9233, pmauerhoff@smmt.co.uk
- Daniel Zealander, 020 7344 1667, dzealander@smmt.co.uk
- Aleona Krechetova, 020 7344 9215, akrechetova@smmt.co.uk
- James Boley, 020 7344 9222, jboley@smmt.co.uk
- Emma Butcher, 020 7344 9263, ebutcher@smmt.co.uk
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