Combination of ‘pingemia’, plant closures and global semiconductor shortage leads to global decline
New car production in the UK fell 37.6% in July 2021 due to problems caused by the ‘pingemia’, summer plant shutdowns and the global semiconductor shortage.
A total of 53,438 cars were built in July, with 8,238 produced for the UK market and 45,205 shipped overseas, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The figures represent a drop of 38.7% for the UK market and a drop of 37.4% for cars exported out of the country, which, according to the SMMT, was the worst performance in July since 1956.
Exports accounted for 84% of all vehicles built in July.
Annual production remains up 18.3% to 552,361 a year after the peak of the pandemic, but that figure is still 28.7% lower than pre-Covid-19 levels, when 774,760 cars rolled out of production chains.
Electric, hybrid and plug-in models have achieved a record 26% market share, with the UK producing 126,757 units since the start of 2021.
“These figures expose the extremely difficult conditions that UK carmakers continue to face,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes. While the impact of ‘pingemia’ will diminish as the rules for self-isolation change, the global semiconductor shortage shows little sign of abating.
“The UK auto industry is doing what it can to keep production lines running, a testament to the adaptability of its workforce and manufacturing processes.
“The government can help by continuing the Covid support measures currently in place and strengthening our competitiveness with reduced energy taxes and trade tariffs for a sector that is strategically important to achieving net zero. [emissions]. “
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-08-25 23:01:23
