UK car manufacturing output fell by -7.0% in April, down to 61,820 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It was the second consecutive monthly decline, reflecting factory adjustments in preparation for next generation models and their electrified powertrains.
Output for the UK – at 14,021 units – rose 19.8% but failed to offset a -12.7% decline in production for overseas buyers to 47,799 units, with nearly eight in 10 cars made shipped to global markets.
The European Union took the majority of car exports (55.8%) followed by the US (15.2%), China (5.4%), Turkey (4.2%) and Australia (2.8%). Shipments to the US and Turkey rose, with those to the EU, China and Australia all experiencing double digit declines.
Electrified vehicle, battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid volumes represented 40.5%, up from 37.7%, of all production with manufacturers producing a combined 25,031 units, a modest 0.1% rise on the previous year, constrained by the transition of factories to new models and technology.
