
UK vehicle manufacturing is currently steady. Manufacturers have exited and no new ones have replaced them for some time now. Most vehicles are exported which keeps the plants viable. More local support would help but a concerted will to do so simply isn't there.
Car: Q1 production for domestic consumption is 90,200 (+4.5%) and exports increased to 359,000 (+13.6%). The total figure was 450,200, an increase of 11.7%. Only 9.5% of UK sales were met with locally made vehicles, the second lowest since 1946 when my records start. Presumably, the second lowest since UK car manufacturing began. The lowest was in 2021.
Of the 450,200 cars made, Nissan's contribution was 158,600 and Toyota's 54,900. Those figures are generously provided by the manufacturers themselves and it's just short of half of the total. Nissan makes the Qashqai, Juke and Leaf. Toyota the Corolla hatch and wagon. Toyota needs another model to better utilise the factory.
Data source: SMMT.
Commercial Vehicle: Q1 production for the local market was 20,900 units (+0.5%), exports were 37,800 (+13.6%) and combined 58,900 (+11.7%). After hitting a low point in 2020, CV production lifted and I assume Ellesmere Port van production will give it a further boost.
Combined: Domestic production was +3.7% to 111,100 while export was +14.8% to 397,700. In total, 508,800 vehicles were made (+12.1%). the totals could and should be better but it is for now moving in the right direction. Mind you, most production around the world is.