Brexit-led factory shutdowns drive 16.5% slump in UK car production
Brexit-related factory closures led to a 16.5% slump in November UK car production, according to figures released on Friday.
Temporary shutdowns at Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Toyota plants took place during the Halloween period as manufacturers attempted to avoid the disruption that could have been caused by a potential 'no deal' exit from EU on 31 October, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Production has now declined in 17 of the last 18 months, while year to date volumes are down by 14.5% at 1,231,679 units due to the continued impact of weak consumer and business confidence, soft demand in overseas markets and model production changes.
Output for the domestic market fell by 26.6% to 17,468 vehicles, while the number of cars rolling off production lines for export dropped by 14.2% to 90,285.
Of these vehicles, 80.8% were destined for overseas markets and more than half of all exports went to EU nations.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "UK car production is export-led, so we look forward to working with the new government to deliver an ambitious trade deal with the EU. To ensure our competitiveness at a time of dramatic technological change, that deal needs to be tariff free and avoid barriers to trade, which, for automotive, means that our standards must be aligned.
"This can be achieved if government and industry work in partnership to re-establish the UK as a great place to invest and ensure that automotive keeps delivering for Britain."