Automotive production tumbles
1 min read
The depth of difficulties affecting car and commercial vehicle manufacturers, their supply chains and garage forecourts became alarmingly apparent today (22 December) as new figures showed UK car production falling by almost a half in December.
Latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed car production falling by 47.5% to 53,823. Year to date, production is 5.7% down at 1,446,619.
For commercial vehicles the percentage drop was even greater although volumes are much smaller with December production down 56.7% to 6,290.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said the figures for 2008 demonstrated both the strength of the sector and the very dramatic fall in demand in the last quarter.
He went on: “UK facilities are globally competitive with high productivity levels and hugely attractive model line-ups. Exports account for 75% of all UK vehicle production, serving more than 100 markets around the world.
“The automotive industry is of strategic economic and social importance, reflected in the measures to support the industry being discussed by governments across Europe and around the world. SMMT has been in close discussion with UK government on the urgent need to improve access to credit and kick-start demand in the market, in order to sustain valuable industrial capability during this exceptionally difficult period. SMMT is looking forward to meeting with Lord Mandelson before the end of January to receive government's response to the proposals we submitted at our November meeting.”
