UK vehicle production sinks in March

UK vehicle output tumbled in March according to the latest report by trade association SMMT monitored by Kallanish.

British car production fell by -37.6% in March as the coronavirus crisis shut factories. Output for both UK and overseas markets was down, by -36.8% and -37.8% respectively.

A new independent outlook by Auto Analysis has revealed at least an £8.2 billion ($10.2 billion) cost to the industry if car factories remain closed until mid-May.

British commercial vehicle (CV)output fell by -41.8% in March, as coronavirus lockdown measures cause plant closures nationwide.

Production fell for both domestic and overseas markets, down -43.4% and -40.6% respectively.

A new SMMT survey reveals that 42.1% of CV manufacturers think recovery from the crisis will take at least 12 months. The association also says that production figures for March incorporate estimates for a very small proportion of plants where final data is not yet available.