Huge fall in number of cars built in UK last year
Carmakers were hit by the impact of the coronavirus crisis and Brexit uncertainty for most of 2020 about, says SMMT.
The number of new cars built in the UK last year fell by almost a third to less than a million, the lowest total since 1984, leading to the loss of thousands of jobs, new figures show.
Production fell by 29.3% compared to the previous year, down to 920,928 units, with similar impacts on the domestic and overseas markets, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Commercial vehicle production fell by 15% and the number of engines built slumped by 27%.
The SMMT said a fall in car production of 2.3% in December rounded off a “dreadful year”, with auto manufacturers hit by the impact of the coronavirus crisis as well as uncertainty for most of 2020 about a Brexit trade deal.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said declared job losses last year by carmakers and firms in the supply chain were around 10,000.
Despite the impact on trade of the global pandemic, more than eight in 10 of all cars made in the UK were shipped overseas, with the EU remaining the biggest export destination, taking a 53.5% share.
Shipments to the US, Japan and Australia all fell, down 33.7%, 21.6% and 21.8% respectively, while exports to China ended the year up 2.3%.
Combined production of battery electric (BEV), plug-hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid vehicles (HEV) increased to 18.8% of all cars made in this country, up from 14.8% a year before.
Just under 173,000 alternatively fuelled vehicles were built last year, with four out of five exported.
Commenting on the slump in production, he said: “These figures, the worst in a generation, reflect the devastating impact of the pandemic on UK automotive production, with Covid lockdowns depressing demand, shuttering plants and threatening lives and livelihoods.
“The industry faces 2021 with more optimism, however with a vaccine being rolled out and clarity on how we trade with Europe, which remains by far our biggest market.
“The immediate challenge is to adapt to the new conditions, to overcome the additional customs burdens and regain our global competitiveness while delivering zero emission transport.”
Independent forecasts say UK car production will partly recover in 2021 to one million, but Mr Hawes said much will depend on the continued impact of the virus, the speed with which showrooms can reopen, and how quickly manufacturers can come to terms with new trading arrangements with the EU, which he described as “much more complicated”.
He hoped today’s production figures would reflect the “lowest ebb”, but added that significant investment would be needed to return to the figure of 1.7 million reported in 2016.
Lucy Powell, shadow business and consumers minister, said: “This vital industry should be at the heart of our country’s recovery. Labour has called for months for the Government to accelerate investment in battery technology and charging infrastructure to help boost our manufacturers’ competitiveness and tackle the climate emergency.”
Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner said: “These figures must act as a wake-up call to Government.
“For months now we have been warning Government that without direct intervention, investment and support, the ongoing uncertainty and instability facing the sector will put hundreds of thousands of, skilled jobs at risk and threaten the transition of the sector from combustion engines to electric and alternate fuels.”
