UK car industry hit by falling demand in Europe

Published on 19/10/2012 00:00

Declining demand from mainland Europe put the brake on UK car production last month, figures yesterday revealed.

There were 128,192 cars made in the UK in September 2012 – a 5.8 per cent fall on the September 2011 figure, – the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

Commercial vehicle production fell even more last month – dropping 20.2 per cent to 9,607. Engine production in September 2012 was also down, slipping 12.8 per cent to 213,052.

Despite the fall, car production for the year so far, at 1.08 million, is up 10.2 per cent compared with the January-September 2011 total. SMMT boss Paul Everitt said: “Declining demand for cars and vans across the major European markets impacted vehicle and engine production in September. Total UK vehicle manufacturing in the year so far has increased.”