22 September 2019

UK Vehicle Production By Brand : 2017-18

The UK vehicle manufacturing industry has issues. Locals don't seem to identify with it, either through ignorance or apathy. After years of growth, things have gone into retreat. What are the issues?

The UK designed & built Qashqai. Hugely successful

Nissan: After booming in Europe, the Nissan brand is in free fall across the continent and that includes the UK. The broad nature of the decline makes it clear that it is a policy of the company. However, I don't see the benefit of knee jerk reactions.

Nissan's Infiniti marque was introduced into many countries to take on the premium market. Then before you could blink, the whole thing was called off and it will retreat to a few markets. A poorly thought out initiative.

Land Rover: VW's arrogant diesel cheating scheme has hit Land Rover, a marque that was heavily associated with engines of that fuel. China sales also hit a speed bump and some production have been moved offshore. All those things conspired to affect LR production in the UK. The new Evoque coming in the second half of 2019 should help things along.

BMW MINI: A ray of light for the industry with production on the up. I would imagine that would level off now.

Honda: A brand that is pulling out of its production in Europe. This caught me by surprise as traditionally Japanese brands do not retreat. However, it made no sense making cars in a region where they don't sell many vehicles.

Toyota: The brand is doing well in Europe so it is simply a question of how to utilise its UK facility. The Corolla is currently the model made there but plans are difficult to make with the pigs ear Europe has turned Brexit into.

The XE. A driver's car

Jaguar: Two new models were assigned to overseas production which has impacted on UK production volume. I'd have to call that decision a very poor one, what with ample capacity in the UK.

PSA Vauxhall: This is another situation that is difficult due to Brexit faffing about. PSA would like to know what they are dealing with before committing. What a divisive world we live in. World peace? The environment? Forget it! Humans can't even organise a civilised political divorce.

Other cars: Generally the strongest part of the UK industry with marques like Aston Martin, Mclaren and Rolls Royce going really well.

Commercial: Not a large part of UK vehicle manufacturing. Bus brands Alexander Dennis, Wrightbus and Optare all increasing in 2018. With volume up 8.5%, a nice trend not likely to be sustained.

Passenger Cars
17 18 Brand 2018 % +/- 2017 % +/-
1 1 Nissan 429,832 28.3% -8% 468,308 28.0% -1%
2 2 Land Rover 354,425 23.3% -10% 395,451 23.7% 6%
3 3 BMW MINI 234,183 15.4% 7% 218,885 13.1% 4%
4 4 Honda 160,676 10.6% -2% 164,160 9.8% 22%
5 5 Toyota 129,070 8.5% -10% 144,077 8.6% -20%
6 6 Jaguar 94,879 6.2% -31% 136,656 8.2% -21%
7 7 GM Vauxhall 77,481 5.1% -16% 92,164 5.5% -22%
8 8 Infiniti 12,422 0.8% -54% 26,898 1.6% -17%
9 9 Bentley 8,717 0.6% -17% 10,457 0.6% -10%
10 10 Aston Martin 6,286
22% 5,164
40%
11 11 Mclaren 4,751
44% 3,297
3%
12 12 Rolls Royce 4,239
35% 3,133
-23%
13 13 Lotus 1,486
3% 1,436
14%
15 14 Caterham 506
3% 491
-1%
14 15 Morgan 487
-17% 589
6%


Total 1,519,440
-9% 1,671,166
-3%

Commercial Vehicles
1 1 Vauxhall 62,607 73.8% 5% 59,795 76.4% -19%
2 2 Leyland DAF 16,889 19.9% 10% 15,323 19.6% 4%
3 3 Alexander Den 2,017 2.4% 16% 1,734 2.2% -22%
- 4 LVEC 1,443 1.7%



4 5 Dennis Eagle 952 1.1% 7% 890 1.1% 23%
5 6 Wrightbus 747 0.9% 147% 303 0.4% -51%
6 7 Optare 233
34% 174
-9%


Total 84,888 9% 78,219 -17%


Grand Total 1,604,328
-8% 1,749,385
-4%


An Alexander Dennis bus

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