UK production of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid cars fell 5.6% last month, but still boosted its share to 37.1%, from 36.3% last February, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In the year-to-date, electrified cars have taken a 39.6% share of production, up from 36.0% a year ago, with a more modest 2.1% fall in volumes compared with overall output down 11.0%.
UK car and commercial vehicle production declined overall by 11.6% in February, with plant restructuring, model changeovers, and other factors in play, the SMMT said.
The majority of output was for export, with more than eight-in-10 units shipped abroad in the month and volumes up 1.3% to 60,034 units.
CV output, meanwhile, fell 35.9% to 8,364 units, driven primarily by less van production and following last year’s February performance, which was the best since 2008 when output almost doubled.
Volumes were driven by domestic demand, accounting for 55.2% of output with volumes up by more than half to 4,621 units. CV exports, however, fell 62.7% to 3,743 units, and with 93.8% heading to the EU, reflecting a drop of 5,956 units shipped to the bloc.
The SMMT said that measures are “needed urgently to bolster the UK’s competitiveness and drive consumer demand”. It added that the Spring Statement by the Chancellor offered no support for the industry or consumers, represented a “missed opportunity and will delay further the sector’s ability to deliver growth for the UK economy”.
The forthcoming Industrial and Trade strategies must be fast-tracked to signal the UK is open for business, and the £2 billion promised by government via the Automotive Transformation Fund rolled out immediately, the SMMT added.
In addition, it called on the government to cancel the VED Expensive Car Supplement for EVs over £40,000, cut VAT on public charging and new BEV sales, extending the Plug-in Truck Grant and introducing mandatory targets for infrastructure rollout.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“These are worrying times for UK vehicle makers with car production falling for 12 months in a row, rising trade tensions and weak demand. The market transition is not keeping pace with ambition and, while the industry can deliver growth – and green growth at that – it needs policies to deliver that reality.
“It was disappointing, therefore, to hear a Spring Statement that did nothing to alleviate the pressure on manufacturers and, moreover, confirms the introduction next month of additional fiscal measures which will actually dissuade consumers from investing. Without substantive regulatory easements our manufacturing viability remains at risk and the UK’s transition to zero emission mobility under threat.”
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