UK car manufacturing fell sharply in November, plunging nearly a third compared to the same month last year and reaching its lowest November output since 1980.
According to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), just 64,216 cars rolled off production lines—27,711 fewer than in November 2023—marking the ninth consecutive monthly decline.
Of those produced, fewer than a third (19,165) were battery electric or hybrid vehicles, a segment that itself recorded a 45.5% year-on-year slump. The overall performance harks back to the era of industrial unrest and Ford dominance in the early 1980s, when Britain’s top sellers included the Escort Mk3, Sierra, and Cortina, and production last dipped this low for November.
These figures come at a time of significant upheaval in the UK automotive sector. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, acknowledged the scale of change: “A decline was to be expected given the extensive transformations under way at many plants, but manufacturers are facing pressures both at home and abroad. Billions of pounds are being poured into new technologies, models, and production tooling, but the challenges are formidable.”
The data also underscore uneven demand. Output for the domestic market more than halved last month, while export-oriented production shrank by 21.3%. The year-to-date total now sits at about 734,500 cars, a reduction of 108,790 compared to the same point in 2023 and only about half of 2019 volumes.
This sobering backdrop is further complicated by policy decisions. Stellantis, the parent company of Vauxhall, recently announced plans to close its van-making plant in Luton, putting up to 1,100 jobs at risk. Stellantis pinned part of the blame on stringent new UK rules requiring manufacturers to hit annual zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) sales targets or face hefty fines.
Jonathan Reynolds, the business secretary, has acknowledged industry concerns and pledged to review the ZEV mandate. The government’s response, expected in January, is keenly awaited.
The SMMT believes that immediate and decisive action is now critical. “With the domestic EV market not growing as quickly as anticipated, the UK government must respond swiftly,” the organisation said. “Introducing incentives for private consumers, accelerating the rollout of charging infrastructure, and fast-tracking a coherent industrial and trade strategy are all vital steps. Most urgently, it must publish the consultation on adjustments to the ZEV mandate. Connecting a thriving local market with robust local production is essential for the sector’s revival.”
As manufacturers grapple with a complex mix of evolving technology, shifting consumer behaviour, and policy uncertainty, November’s numbers serve as a reminder of the turbulence reshaping the UK’s once-stalwart automotive industry.
