UK car production falls 8.4pc in August

UK car production fell by 8.4% to 41,271 units in August, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, marking both a sixth consecutive monthly decline and the lowest rate of production seen in more than three years.

Output of battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid vehicles registered a sharp 25.9% drop, reducing their share of total production to 29.6%. However, the SMMT pointed out that this decline was expected to be reversed as soon as several new models come onstream.

Production for the domestic market fell almost 20%, while exports declined 5.9%.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "With the traditional summer shutdowns and factories prepping to switch to new models, August was always going to be a quieter month for output.

"The sector remains optimistic about a return to growth, however, with record levels of investment announced last year."

Hawes stated that realising those investments and securing more depended on the UK industry "maintaining its competitiveness" and said he looks forward both to the Chancellor's autumn budget and Downing Street's proposed industrial strategy as "critical opportunities" to demonstrate that it backs the automotive industry.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com