Supply-chain bottlenecks were smoothed out, and strong output for both the domestic and international markets contributed to a 13% rise in UK auto production in February.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported on Thursday that British automobile production increased by 8,050 units in March to 69,707 units, with exports increasing by 12% and local production increasing by 20%.
According to SMMT UK, declines in the U.S. and China were offset by increases in exports, with the majority of vehicles going to the European Union and smaller amounts going to Japan, Australia, and Turkey.
Automobile manufacturers around the world have spent the past two years dealing with a scarcity of critical components due to the pandemic.
The UK auto industry was also impacted by months of strict lockdowns in China, which disrupted supply chains.
The numbers revealed that in February, production of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric vehicles increased by 72 percent to a total of 27,392 units.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) warned earlier this month that unless UK quickly responded to massive U.S. and EU initiatives to support industry, it would risk falling behind in the race to construct EVs.
Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States declared $369 billion in subsidies for clean technologies and EVs last year (IRA). Concerned that the U.S. legislation could disadvantage European-based companies, the EU proposed the Green Deal Industrial Plan the following month.
To read our article about “2.35 m domestically produced mobiles in Feb; 0.19 m imported” click here.
