UK car production volumes 45.9% down on pre-pandemic levels

UK car manufacturing output rose for the fourth consecutive month in August, but volumes are well below those seen before the pandemic.

UK car production was up 34% year-on-year to 49,901 units, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

However, that was 45.9% below August 2019’s pre-pandemic level of 92,158 units.

The rise reported in August follows a very weak performance in August 2021, when production stoppages and extended summer shutdowns caused by the global chip shortage saw volumes plummet to historic lows.

“Volumes are down dramatically and firms are having to take drastic steps to safeguard their businesses in the face of myriad challenges,” Mike Hawes, SMMT

This year, output for the UK increased 33.1% in the month to 10,709 units, while the number of cars built for export rose 34.2% to 39,192 units.

Production of battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and hybrid (HEV) vehicles also grew.

Almost a third (32.2%) of all cars made in Britain in August were one of these models, equivalent to 16,059 units, with most (70.5%) exported to global markets. Output of BEVs alone more than doubled, rising 115.9% to account for almost one in 10 cars produced.

Year-to-date, however, overall production remains 13.3% down on the first eight months of 2021 at 511,106 units.

Overall, it means factories have turned out 78,501 fewer cars so far this year, with output more than half a million units behind average pre-Covid volumes.

The sector is now on course to produce fewer than a million cars for the third consecutive year.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “While another month of rising UK car production is good news, and testament to sectoral efforts to overcome supply chain shortages, it overshadows what is an extremely tough and uncertain environment for manufacturers.

“Volumes are down dramatically, and firms are having to take drastic steps to safeguard their businesses in the face of myriad challenges.”

The figures come as new analysis from SMMT highlights the energy costs, already the highest in Europe, facing the UK’s automotive vehicle and component manufacturers.

With their collective energy bill having risen by more than £100 million over the last 12 months to more than £300m, the SMMT says that the Government’s "significant" intervention to cap prices for businesses over the winter period has temporarily limited further increases, providing timely and vital respite.

With these costs expected to more than double again next year, however, and with some manufacturers anticipating even steeper increases, longer term solutions must be found to assure the viability of the sector beyond the end of the cap in six months’ time, it added.

Energy is now the single biggest concern for UK automotive manufacturers, with almost seven in 10 (69%) SMMT members worried about the impact of onerous cost increases on their business operations.

They also reported rising costs across the board, with average prices of raw materials up 38%, semiconductors up 95% and logistics up 43%.

While most companies have already implemented extensive energy saving measures and are absorbing increases where possible, says the SMMT, the competitive and low margin nature of the industry has meant that almost nine in 10 (87%) are having to pass on costs, stoking inflation.

The knock-on effect for many (41%) is that they have been forced to delay or cancel investments, with 13% reducing shifts and 9% resorting to cutting jobs.

There is also significant concern about the future, with 38% worried about business growth, 42% about their international competitiveness and 49% about their ability to recruit staff as companies strive to transition their workforces to zero emission technologies and processes.

Given this challenging backdrop, SMMT and its members are calling for action to restore stability and safeguard the industry’s competitiveness as it transitions towards net zero.

Among the interventions members are seeking from the Budget in November, in addition to energy price caps (called for by 84% of survey respondents), are the removal or reduction of VAT on energy (71%) and the same support for automotive as for Energy Intensive Industries (71%) thereby securing further price mitigation.

Other measures that would deliver significant cost savings and unlock critical investment, says the SMMT, include business rates reduction (93%), grants for capital expenditure, improved R&D tax credits and investment in skills (90%).

“The government’s measures announced last week to alleviate crippling energy costs provide valuable respite, but long-term action is needed to restore stability and provide the sector with a globally competitive investment framework,” said Hawes.

“Reform of business rates, enhanced capital allowances, an affordable and secure supply of low carbon energy, and investment in new skills can enable this critical sector to deliver the economic growth, productivity improvements, balance of trade benefits and job security the UK sorely needs.”

Richard Peberdy, UK head of automotive at KPMG, says that a gradual easing of global supply shortages, plus Government support on energy costs, will aid UK car production in the coming months.  

But he said: “Inflation is driving up input costs, and a weakening pound threatens to do so further.

“Passing costs to the consumer is becoming increasingly challenging, although at this stage manufacturers still continue to have busy order books to work their way through.”