In Britain, car production fell by 95.4pc in May compared to same period last year as car plants were either closed or restarted at a reduced capacity due to COVID-19 related restrictions.
The country manufactured 5,314 units in May, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers’ (SMMT) monthly figures. Stringent lockdown restrictions and social distancing norms have affected production substantially, says the association of motor industry in the UK.
In April, UK produced 197 car units. May production is better when compared to the previous month but is still the lowest production recorded since May 1946.
In May, two-thirds of UK’s auto plants resumed operations but capacity utilization was low. Key export markets had only just begun to reopen which affected demand. Most of the UK was under lockdown due to COVID-19 and car dealerships were allowed to re-open on June 1.
On the exports front, 4,260 cars were shipped to EU countries, US and China and 1,054 units were manufactured for domestic buyers. Meanwhile, SMMT statistics suggest that full year output is expected to be less than a million car units. In Jan-May period this year, 324,763 cars were produced, down by 41.7pc from the year prior which is a deficit of 230,000 units till May.
SMMT has taken the initiative to request the government to financially aid the auto sector which is terribly hit by the pandemic.