Supply chain shortages squeeze January car output, but EV production surges

Battery electric vehicle production up a third, with one in 11 cars rolling off UK factory lines zero emission, reports SMMT

UK car production fell -20.1% to 68,790 units in January, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the weakest January total since 2009.

Output was down 17,262 units against the same month last year, which itself was one of the worst Januarys on record when volumes were impacted by friction in the new post-Brexit trading arrangements, extended shutdowns and the pandemic.

Several factors conspired to drive year-on-year...

+83% more