US EditionUK auto production for May slumps to lowest level since 1949 as Trump tariffs hit hard
- In May 2025, UK car and commercial vehicle production dropped 32.8% to 49,810 units, the lowest since 1949 excluding COVID years.
- The steep decline followed President Trump's imposition of 25% tariffs on UK car imports to the US starting April 3, causing instant demand reduction and halted shipments.
- Car manufacturing fell 31.5% to 47,723 units, commercial vehicles declined 53.6% to 2,087, while exports to the US and EU dropped 55.4% and 22.5%, respectively.
- Mike Hawes, head of the SMMT, acknowledged that 2025 has been a difficult year for the UK automotive sector, but highlighted that new trade agreements and positive government initiatives are starting to create hope for recovery.
- The sustained production slump threatens jobs and competitiveness, yet reducing energy costs and accessing key markets could help the UK reclaim its top 15 global automotive status.
23 Articles
23 Articles
Car production fell for fifth consecutive month in May
The SMMT said the reduction was mainly due to ongoing model changeovers, restructuring and the impact of US tariffs. The number of new cars and commercial vehicles built in the UK fell for the fifth consecutive month in May, figures show. Production was down by a third compared to the same time a year ago, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Excluding 2020, when Covid lockdowns saw factories shuttered or running at greatl…
According to the Society's data, the number of cars and commercial vehicles produced in the country fell sharply by 32.8% over the past May, to only 49 and 810 units, the lowest level since 1949 except 2020, when factories were closed during the closures due to Caved-19, according to the Sky News site. The pace of car production in the United Kingdom declined sharply over the past month, down for the fifth consecutive month, amid mounting pressu…
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