Calls for Brexit clarity as car manufacturing declines

A report published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed a 13.7 per cent drop-off in the number of cars produced in June 2017, compared to 12 months previous. Figures for the year-to-date are only down 2.9 per cent on 2016, and the total is still the second highest in 12 years. However, the June numbers mark the third successive month of decline and concerns abound over the health of the industry in a post-Brexit UK.

“World-class engineering, productivity, strong government collaboration and massive investment in the past few years have helped UK automotive become a global success story,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.

“At the heart of this has been the free and frictionless trade we’ve enjoyed with the EU – by far our biggest customer and supplier. But Brexit uncertainty is not helping investment and growth is stalling. The government has been in “listening” mode but now it must put on the table the concrete plans that will assure the future competitiveness of the sector.”