Inframe News – British vehicle production fell 11.6% year-on-year in July, with weaker exports and earlier summer maintenance shutdowns weighing on factory output. Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed total production fell to 63,655 vehicles.
Car production dropped 10.6% from a year earlier, adding to a difficult run for the UK automotive industry. Carmakers are dealing with softer demand while competition in global markets continues to intensify. The latest figures also showed a sharp decline in vehicles being shipped overseas.
UK automotive exports fell 15.9% in July to 47,377 vehicles. Shipments declined across all major markets, including the European Union, China, the United States, Turkey and Japan. The EU remains Britain’s biggest export destination for vehicles.
Commercial vehicle production was hit even harder during the month. Output in the segment plunged 34.4% to 1,888 vehicles, while deliveries to domestic customers fell 49.6%. Exports of commercial vehicles also dropped 18.5%.
Some manufacturers also brought forward summer maintenance shutdowns at their plants, reducing the number of vehicles produced during July. The shutdowns came alongside weaker overseas demand, putting additional pressure on monthly production figures. The combined effect pushed overall output further below last year’s level.
Electric and hybrid vehicle production moved in the opposite direction during July. Output of electrified models increased 6.8% to 25,678 vehicles, marking the first monthly increase for the segment this year. Electrified vehicles accounted for more than four in every 10 cars built during the month.
The figures arrived less than two weeks after the British government launched a review of its zero-emission vehicle targets. The review includes options that could reduce pressure on automakers as the country moves toward phasing out new petrol and diesel car sales.
The SMMT is calling for changes to electric vehicle rules and lower energy costs as manufacturers face rising production pressures. The industry group is also seeking safeguards for automotive trade with Europe. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the rise in electrified production was encouraging while competitiveness remained a key issue.
UK factories have produced just under 450,000 cars and commercial vehicles during the first seven months of 2026. That is 8.1% lower than the same period a year earlier. July’s decline followed a year in which monthly production has generally remained below 2025 levels.
The July figures put total UK vehicle production at 63,655 units, while exports stood at 47,377 vehicles. Car output fell 10.6%, commercial vehicle production dropped 34.4%, and electric and hybrid production rose 6.8%.
