Car production in the UK slumped 11 percent compared to the same period last year.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that the drop was due to factors “including model changes, seasonal and operational adjustments and preparation for the introduction of the tough new emissions standards”.
The latest figures from the SMMT showed a fall of 35 percent in models built for the UK and just 121,000 cars leaving production lines in July.
“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,” said Mike Hawes, the SMMT Chief Executive.
“The bigger picture is complex and month by month fluctuations are inevitable as manufacturers manage product cycles, operational changes and the delicate balance of supply and demand from market to market.
“To ensure future growth, we need political and economic clarity at home, and the continuation of beneficial trading arrangements with the EU and other key markets,” he added.
Despite the fall in numbers, the UK is still on track to meet 2018 expectations.
In the first seven months of the year, the number of cars built was down by 16 percent for the UK market and 1.2 percent for export.
This is a significant improvement on the previous month in June, when production for the UK fell by 47 percent.
Whilst the UK exports most of the cars made here, the majority of the vehicles we own are imported. About 86 percent of new cars are imported, with 69 percent of new cars coming from the EU.
Earlier this year, the CBI president Paul Drechsler said that the UK’s car industry was in danger post-Brexit.
Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to move production of its Land Rover Discovery model to Slovakia.
The group has also announced plans to cut 1,000 UK jobs, due to Brexit uncertainty.
