en.Wedoany.com Reported - The latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that UK car production in April 2026 was 58,513 units, a year-on-year decline of 1.2%. Of this, passenger car production remained broadly stable for the second consecutive month, dipping just 0.7% to 56,135 units; commercial vehicle production fell 10.9% to 2,378 units, but this represented the smallest decline in 13 months, as the impact from the closure of a major UK van plant has now faded. The overall performance still reflects model changeovers and challenges in some key global markets.
Exports remain the primary driver of UK automotive production, accounting for 76.4% of total output in the month. Overall foreign trade increased by 0.8%, with commercial vehicle exports down 8.2%, but this was partially offset by a 1.1% rise in passenger car exports to global markets. The EU remained the top export destination for passenger cars, taking over 53.2% of all exports, with volumes reaching 23,103 units, up 6.9% year-on-year. Exports to the US also grew by 6.8% to 7,558 units; however, deliveries to China fell sharply by 44.4% to 2,081 units.
Looking at the year-to-date cumulative figures (January to April 2026), UK factories produced a total of 266,601 cars, a year-on-year decrease of 10.7%. Within this, passenger car production was 257,024 units, down 5.4%, while commercial vehicle output stood at 9,577 units, a decline of 64.1%.
The data was released as the UK automotive industry urged action to address the potential impact of the EU's recently proposed "Made in Europe" policy. The industry fears that this policy could restrict access for UK-built vehicles, components, batteries, and raw materials to its largest export market, the EU. Given the deeply integrated UK-EU automotive supply chain, such measures would harm competitiveness, disrupt investment, and weaken manufacturing capacity on both sides of the Channel.
Both sides also face looming tariff threats, with stricter rules of origin requirements for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles set to take effect in January 2027. The industry states that failure to resolve these issues would put the €80 billion annual UK-EU trade relationship at risk, posing a significant threat to the wider European automotive industry in an era of intense global competition.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said that the April figures indicate production is stabilising, albeit at a lower level, while the industry's ambition remains growth. UK manufacturers continue to face high costs, particularly energy costs, and uncertainty over trading relations with key markets. More seriously, the exclusion of the UK industry from the EU's "Made in Europe" proposal, coupled with stricter rules of origin requirements next year, could damage industries on both sides. The upcoming EU-UK Summit must address these issues to safeguard shared competitiveness and growth.
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