Here’s how many cars are made in the UK – and where they are being sent
UK car production fell in October, down -23.8%, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
59,010 units left factory gates – 18,474 fewer than in the same month last year – as Britain’s biggest automotive employer began its phased restart of operations after a cyber incident forced a pause in production.
Following the recent trend, almost half the cars (46.2%) made in the month were either battery electric, plug-in hybrid or hybrid, with volumes up 10.4% to 27,287 units.
Overall car production for the UK market fell by -10.6% to 13,785 units, while output for export declined -27.1%. 45,225 cars were produced for global markets – representing more than three quarters of total output – with the EU, US, Türkiye, China and Japan the top five export markets. Shipments to the EU, US and Japan all fell, while those to Türkiye and China rose.
Commercial vehicle (CV) production, meanwhile, declined for the seventh month in a row, by -74.9% to 3,106 units, reflecting the ongoing impact on volumes following a major manufacturer consolidating operations into the North West. Combined car and van production, therefore, was down by -30.9% in October with 62,116 units leaving factories.
So far this year, UK car and van manufacturers have turned out a total of 644,366 units representing a -17.0% fall on the same period in 2024.
However, the latest independent production outlook expects growth to return in 2026 with a total of 828,000 cars and vans anticipated to be made next year, driven by new electric car models coming into production – with the potential to reach some one million units by the end of this decade if the right conditions are in place.
“Another difficult month for UK vehicle production as the impact of the earlier cyber attack continued to be felt. Growth is on the horizon, however, and Government has recognised the automotive industry as a pillar of national strategic importance, backing it with an industrial strategy and additional £1.5 billion to drive manufacturing competitiveness,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT hief Executive.
“Investment competitiveness also depends on a healthy domestic market, however, notably for EVs, and introducing a new electric-Vehicle Excise Duty is the wrong measure at the wrong time. This new tax will undermine demand, so government must work with industry to reduce the cost of compliance and protect the UK’s investment appeal.”
