UK vehicle production fell by 1.2% year-on-year in April, to 58,513 units, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The industry body said the headline figure included a 0.7% decline in car production, to 56,135 units.
Commercial vehicle production was down by 10.9% to 2,378 units, which the SMMT noted was the smallest fall seen for 13 months due to the effect on the figures of a major factory closure in early 2005 having ceased.
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The SMMT said 76.4% of vehicles made in the UK in April were exported – a 0.8% increase. The EU accounted for more than half of all exports, and the number of vehicles sent there and to the United States rose; however, exports to China declined.
Across the first four months of 2026, UK vehicle production was down by 10.7% year-on-year, including a 5.4% fall in car production and a 64.1% fall in the number of commercial vehicles made.
Action needed on EU trade threats, SMMT says
The SMMT said the figures came as it urged action to ensure the EU’s recently proposed ‘Made in Europe’ policy did not restrict access to the bloc for UK=-produced vehicles, parts, batteries and raw materials. It said this threat came on top of the prospect of tariffs with the introduction of more onerous rules of origin requirements for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in January 2027.
Mike Hawes, chief executive at the SMMT, said: “April’s figures suggest production is stabilising, albeit at reduced levels, when the ambition remains to grow the sector.
“UK manufacturers still face high costs, notably in energy, and uncertainty in the trading relationship with key trading markets.
“More serious is the UK sector’s carve out from the EU’s ‘Made in Europe’ proposals which, coupled with tougher rules of origin requirements from next year, risk undermining the industry on both sides.
“The forthcoming EU-UK Summit must address these issues and deliver solutions that safeguard our mutual competitiveness and growth.”