Car production plummeted in July

That’s according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

Car production “plummeted” last month amid ongoing staff shortages because of the “pingdemic” and the global shortage of microchips, research shows.

Just under 53,500 cars were built in July, a fall of 37.6% on the same month last year, and the worst July performance since 1956, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Summer shutdowns of factories also affected production, which was down by 38% for the UK to 8,233 while manufacturing for export fell by 37.4% to 45,205.

One in five cars made in July were alternatively fuelled, their highest share on record, said the SMMT.

More than a quarter of all cars made in July were either battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) or hybrid electric (HEV), their highest share on record.

Exports accounted for more than eight out of 10 vehicles built last month.

Published: 26/08/2021 by Radio NewsHub