UK car and commercial vehicle production fell by -15.8% to 59,203 units in April, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Vehicle output fell to the lowest level for the month since 1952, excluding 2020 when the first Covid lockdown effectively saw manufacturing cease.1 The result caps off the sector’s lowest start to the year since 2009.2

Total vehicle manufacturing

Apr-24

Apr-25 % Change YTDLY YTD

% Change

Total

70,319

59,203 -15.8% 325,602 298,416

-8.3%

Home

16,919

14,877 -12.1% 87,420 73,893

-15.5%

Export

53,400

44,326 -17.0% 238,182 224,523

-5.7%

% export

75.9% 74.9% 73.2% 75.2% Car manufacturing Apr-24 Apr-25 % Change  YTD-24 YTD-25

% Change

Total

61,820

56,534 -8.6% 284,191 271,770

-4.4%

Home

14,021

13,562 -3.3% 74,733 60,085

-19.6%

Export

47,799

42,972 -10.1% 209,458 211,685

1.1%

% export

77.3%

76.0% 73.7% 77.9% Commercial vehicle manufacturing

Apr-24

Apr-25 % Change  YTD-24 YTD-25

% Change

Total

8,499

2,669 -68.6% 41,411 26,646

-35.7%

Home

2,898

1,315 -54.6% 12,687 13,808

8.8%

Export

5,601

1,354 -75.8% 28,724 12,838

-55.3%

% export

65.9%

50.7% 69.4% 48.2%

April’s decline in car output was driven by a combination of factors, notably the later timing of Easter – which saw fewer production days in the month (and hence a factor behind the comparative rise in output in March) – as well as model changeovers and lower demand in key export markets. As a result, car production fell -8.6% to 56,534 units. Commercial vehicle output also declined, by -68.6% to 2,669 units, driven primarily by a plant closure and normalising demand for new heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) following robust post-pandemic growth.3

Car production for export fell -10.1%, while production for the domestic market – always a smaller proportion of volumes – also decreased, by -3.3%. Shipments to the UK’s two largest global markets, the EU and US, fell by -19.1% and -2.7% respectively, although the EU still took more than half of all exports while the US received 16.5%. Conversely, exports to China and Turkey rose by 44.0% and 31.2% respectively.

Commercial vehicle export volumes, meanwhile, fell sharply by -75.8% with just over half (50.7%) of output heading overseas. The decline was driven by a -78.9% drop in shipments to the EU, but the bloc retained the lion’s share of exports at 84.9%. CV output for the domestic market also softened, down by -54.6%.

With production constrained by economic uncertainty and rapidly changing global trading conditions, industry awaits publication of  government’s industrial strategy, which must contain measures that boost the competitiveness of Britain’s most valuable export sector. A strategy with automotive and advanced manufacturing at its heart will enable the sector to take advantage of the UK’s new trading arrangements, including those agreed with the EU and US – while exploring possibilities for growth in other markets, notably India, delivering economic benefits across the UK.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “With automotive manufacturing experiencing its toughest start to the year since 2009, urgent action is needed to boost domestic demand and our international competitiveness. Government has recognised automotive manufacturing’s critical role in driving the UK economy, having successfully negotiated improved trading conditions for the sector with the US, EU and India in the space of a month. To take advantage of these trading opportunities we must secure additional investment which will depend on the competitiveness and confidence that can be provided by a comprehensive and innovative long-term industrial strategy. Get this right and the jobs, economic growth and decarbonisation will flow across the UK.”

SOURCE: SMMT