UK Vehicle Manufacturing : 2022-23

After years of poor treatment at all levels of operation plus public indifference, the fact that the UK even has a car industry is amazing. It even managed to grow in 2023! Wonders never cease. So what has the SMMT provided in terms of data?

Passenger cars: 905,100 were assembled in 2023, up from 775,000 in 2022 and a 17% increase. Average monthly production went from 64,600 to 75,400. 79% of all cars made were exported.  

Commercial vehicles: 120,400 were manufactured in 2023, up from the 2022 figure of 101,600 and an 18.5% increase. The average monthly figure of 8,450 went to 10,000 in '23. 60% of cvs made were exported.

Combined PC and CV production: 1,025,500 left factories in 2023, up from 876,600 and a 17% rise in volume. The average monthly figure went from 73,100 to 85,500. 77% of vehicles assembled were exported. 

So we can see a positive improvement in what has to be an unnecessarily poor situation. In higher wage countries, its hard to attract new investors. There is no easy fix, even more local support would only go so far. Not that shouldn't be an objective as it would be helpful. But once apathy grips people, it's hard to change. The road ahead will certainly have a few twists and turns.