UK passenger car output declined again in July, according to the latest report by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), monitored by Kallanish. This was offset slightly by an increase in commercial vehicle (CV) production.

Production declined in total by -11.0% year-on-year in July with 121,051 units produced. Production for the UK market plummeted again by a significant -35% but these figures should be assessed with caution says SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. “While the industry is undoubtedly feeling the effects of recent uncertainty in the domestic market, drawing long term conclusions from monthly snapshots requires a health warning,” he says.

The year-to-date performance was in line with forecasts, SMMT adds. Almost 1 million cars were produced with 81.3% going to export. July figures for export were also down y-o-y however by a more modest -4.25%.

UK car output July 2018 (units)
  Jul-17 Jul-18 % change Y-t-d 17 Y-t-d 18 % change
Total 135,954 121,051 -11.0% 999,253 955,453   -4.4%
Home   29,872   19,414 -35.0% 212,699 178,829 -16.0%
Export 106,082 101,637   -4.2% 786,554 776,824  -1.2%
% export 78.0% 84.0%   78.7% 81.3%  

Source: SMMT

UK CV output meanwhile continued its recovery and rose 12.8% with 7,331 vans, trucks and buses rolling off production lines, SMMT confirms. Exports drove growth, up 27.8%, but home demand declined again by -5.8%.

A total of 48,793 vans, trucks and buses have been produced so far this year, down -3.0% on 2017.

UK commercial vehicle (CV)) output July 2018
  Jul-17 Jul-18 % change Y-t-d 17 Y-t-d 18 % change
Total 6,499 7,331 12.8% 50,281 48,793 -3.0%
Home 2,898 2,729 -5.8% 18,862 16,318 -13.5%
Export 3,601 4,602 27.8% 34,419 32,475 3.4%
% export 55.4% 62.8%   62.5% 66.6%  

Source: SMMT