UK Passenger Car Production - Top 20 Models : 2022

When I was learning Spanish many years ago a friend would always reply when asked how he was doing by saying "Estoy con vida". In other words, I am alive. The UK car industry isn't what it was but it is still alive. Is it worth keeping though?

It suffers from massive local apathy and at times wilful avoidance of support due to erroneous attitudes. I would have thought that people should be grateful for what they have rather than wishing for what they'd like. Wallowing ruefully over past glories isn't a way forward. Making the best of what you have is.

Anyway, the top 20 list has a broad mix of models, from a few mass volume ones down to some hand built luxury models. The Land Rover Defender would be a helpful contributor except it isn't made in the UK. The Honda Civic would likewise be featured prominently but production has been moved elsewhere. Europeans don't want Honda cars in the sort of numbers to support production in the region. 

The MINI hatch/convertible is the top model for the second year now although that is under threat. That figure is an estimate, based on the percentage share of Clubman sales for the MINI brand. This percentage was applied to the known production total. 

The Nissan Qashqai (picture below the production data) had been the leading model for over a decade but not so the last two years. Production is down as the transition from the second series to this new one was disjointed and it is yet to fully recover. The Juke is fourth but descending as it passes along its model cycle and the Leaf is holding up well at eighth. 

Toyota's sole entry is third and surely a second model on the production line would make economic sense. The Suzuki Swace (picture to the right) is near the bottom of the list, made by Toyota and it is the same car as the Corolla. With a bit more effort, that could sell better.  

Land Rover then provided a solid list of models while Jaguar is to be repositioned in a higher quality bracket and isn't getting the love it could due to the more profitable Land Rover brand getting that instead. (The Bentley Bentayga is pictured to the left).

Then comes a group of models from premium marques that all proved very popular, especially the SUVs. The Aston Martin DBX (pictured to the right) is one of them and the only car produced in Wales,  possibly the only one that ever has been. 

The Stellantis Opel/Vauxhall Astra was phased out of UK assembly in 2022, hence its low figure. It's being replaced by light commercial models. 

Summary: How will 2023 go. I'm expecting the final figure to be similar to 2022 but in these unusual times, predicting anything is a risky proposition. The Qashqai regaining the top spot is my pick for 2023. And yes, UK manufacturing is worth keeping.

The data below is a mix of definite figures and quality estimates.