UK car production declined 11.0% in July, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Some 121,051 units left production lines as a raft of factors, including model changes, seasonal and operational adjustments and preparation for the introduction of the tough new emissions standards, affected output.
Production for export in the month fell 4.2%, while 35.0% fewer cars were built for the UK market. However, the declines follow a particularly strong July in 2017 when the launch of several new models boosted output by almost 10,000 units and resulted in a substantial 17.7% rise in British demand for the month.
In the year to date, the sector remains broadly on track to meet 2018 expectations, with 955,453 cars built in the first seven months. While production for the UK is currently down -16.0% compared with the same period last year, exports remain strong, dipping by a more moderate -1.2% and accounting for 81.3% of all output.
Meanwhile, British-built engine plants maintained their level of output in July, assembling 194,974 but YTD they have grown 5.2%, with exports growing but those destined for UK car plants have declined, 11.6% in July and 6.7% YTD.
UK commercial vehicle manufacturing increased by 12.8% in July 2018, according to the SMMT, 7,331 vans, trucks, buses and coaches were built in Britain last month, as overseas demand continued to drive output.
While CVs produced for the home market fell 5.8% in the month to 2,729 units, production for export more than compensated, rising 27.8%. 4,602 vehicles were shipped to global customers in the month, accounting for 62.8% of British CV manufacturers’ output.