UK Net Importer : 2023

The once mighty UK car industry is but a shadow of its former self. It still exists despite being undermined by substandard management, a militant workforce and public apathy. 

905,000 passenger cars were made in 2023, the best figure in three years. That's just under half the number of cars sold in the UK, the lowest figure ever. Yet 2024 will be worse still. 

Four brands support over 90% of the volume, Nissan, Land Rover, MINI and Toyota. The chart shows production, sales and extrapolates an export figure from that. 

When did the rot set in? During the first half of the 1970's, the UK was a net exporter. Back then, BL was still a large manufacturer, supported by Ford, Chrysler (Hillman) and Vauxhall. They have all since departed the scene. 

On that basis, it's a surprise an industry still exists. If it disappeared I don't know if anyone would notice...or care. Perhaps Sunderland would notice. The car below is the only one made in Wales and I believe the only one ever made in the Principality.

Fisker Deliveries/Production : 2023/2024 Q1

Fisker Automotive folded in 2014 after just approximately 2,000 Fisker Karma cars were sold. The marque was reborn when the California based Fisker Inc created the Ocean electric SUV model to be made at the Magna Styr plant in Austria. 

In late 2022 it was stated that the company had more than 63,000 orders for the vehicle. 300 cars were expected to be made in Q1 2023, going up to 8,000 (Q2), 15,000 (Q3) and 19,000 (Q4). 

It all sounded promising but what was the reality? Fisker released the figures for what actually unfolded as seen below. The 10,536 units produced in 2023 was reached from quarterly figures provided, which was slightly higher than the 10,193 that was the full year number given once the year concluded. 

Regardless, that was still over double the number produced compared to what was delivered for 2023. Clearly there was a disparity in what was planned as opposed to what transpired. A partner was sought from an existing major car making company. 

Production was halted after the first quarter of 2024 without a partner being secured. Magna Steyr is not expecting to make more vehicles. The 2024 figures vary slightly by source so I've estimated them - as seen on the right - but they should be close to accurate if not fully so. One thing is certain and that is thousands of cars are unsold. Fisker has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

It's not an unusual scenario that a start up company has high expectations but fails to deliver on them. Investors risk a great deal but in such a situation will almost certainly fail to get back what they outlayed.  

Lotus Sales : 2023

Lotus has never been that forthcoming when it comes to sales data. For the most part it wasn't all that positive so maybe a sensible move. Now that it is under the control of the Geely Auto Group greater transparency may come. What I do know is revealed to the right.

6,970 cars were delivered in 2023. I have seen the figure 576 for 2022 but based on sales by country I do know of, that is too low and by some margin. I have sales by country for 744 vehicles in 2022 and there are some missing. 

I don't have a 2022 figure for China but it would have been minimal. As for the US I've seen estimates that looked more like wild guesses. The Middle East is also a data black hole. So if anyone can add something, let me know although I've yet to have any such offer taken up.

Of the 3,506 delivered in China during 2023, I believe the sales by model were the Eletre SUV 2,929 and the Emira sports car 577. Lotus has revealed the global numbers between the Eletre SUV and all sports cars, which were 4,361 and 2,609 respectively. 

So things are booming and with more models coming out in 2024 the number of deliveries will continue to grow quickly. The marque that made great sports cars but struggled to balance the books now has a brighter future with its Chinese owners.