UK factories’ output of new cars rose by 5.6% in July, compared with the same month a year ago, as production for the home and export markets rebounded.
A total of 69,127 cars left UK plants last month, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 14,211 remained in the UK, compared with 54,916 shipped abroad. Although the proportion of cars exported dropped by 1.5%, the total number of cars shipped abroad rose by 3.7%, to 52,963.
The European Union was the largest export market, accounting for 45.6% of cars sent overseas. However, exports to the EU fell by 7.9%.
The US was the nation’s second-largest market, accounting for 18.1% of exports, followed by China, comprising 7.7%.
So far this year, 454,937 cars have been built at UK plants, down 5.5% compared with at the same point a year ago.
Including commercial vehicles, the figure rises to 489,238, down by 11.7% on the figure recorded for the first seven months of 2025.
The SMMT last month warned that UK vehicle production had reached its “nadir” after the nation’s factories posted their worst start to a year since 1953, excluding Covid-hit 2020.
“This has been one of the most turbulent periods in the history of the UK automotive industry,” said SMMT chief Mike Hawes. “[This year] hasn’t been as bad as Covid, but it’s the worst first half of a year since 1953.”
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