UK Car Production Drops to Lowest April Level Since 1952 Amid Trade and EV Uncertainty
UK car manufacturing output plummeted last month to its lowest April figure in over 70 years, excluding the pandemic-era slump in 2020. Only 59,203 vehicles were produced, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The industry group attributed the decline to a mix of factors, including new tariffs, the timing of Easter, and a transitional slowdown as manufacturers pivot from petrol to electric vehicles (EVs).
April’s production was 16% lower than the same month in 2024 and 25% down from March, which saw a temporary boost as carmakers rushed shipments to the United States ahead of President Trump’s tariff hike.
The last time UK car production fell to similar levels in April was in 1952, when just over 53,000 vehicles were built.
Exports and Demand Fall Further
Car exports dropped by 10.1%, largely due to softening demand from major markets like the US and EU. The SMMT noted that overall UK car production for the first four months of 2025 is now at its lowest point since 2009.
While global output is also declining in countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Japan, experts say the UK faces unique challenges.
“Some global pressures are intensified in the UK—like looser restrictions on Chinese imports and inconsistent EV policies,” said Prof Peter Wells, head of Cardiff University’s Centre for Automotive Industry Research.
EV Policy Confusion Hurting Stability
The UK government’s recent decision to soften EV sales targets and reduce fines for non-compliant models has contributed to market unpredictability. Automakers, including Stellantis—which owns Vauxhall, Peugeot, and Citroën—have raised concerns about the long-term viability of producing vehicles in the UK without clear guidance.
“What the industry needs most is stability and clarity—whether on tariffs or electrification,” Wells added. “Right now, it’s a volatile environment.”
The UK has already seen high-profile plant closures by firms like Ford and Honda in recent years, with Brexit-related trade friction and policy reversals worsening the situation.
Hope on the Horizon?
Despite the gloomy figures, there may be light ahead. The SMMT said that new trade agreements with the US, EU, and India could improve production prospects later this year by opening up new markets and reducing export friction.
Still, industry experts warn that until the UK establishes a stable, long-term industrial strategy for electric vehicles, the sector may continue to struggle with underinvestment, workforce uncertainty, and diminished output.
