April sees new car numbers fall 12 per cent

20/05/2011

By Katrina McLachlan

There was a 12 per cent drop in the number of cars that were manufactured in April compared with a year ago, new figures have revealed.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said 86,306 vehicles were built in the UK last month - 12.2 per cent fewer than over the same period in 2010.

Commercial vehicle manufacturing reached 8,633, a fall of almost 20 per cent, while the number of engines built dropped 4.7 per cent to 190,131.

Since the beginning of 2011, the number cars that have been built has increased by 7 per cent to 443,536, more than four-fifths for export.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "April's vehicle and engine production figures reflect the global production challenges resulting from the Japanese earthquake. Output was down across the car, commercial vehicle and engine sectors as parts shortages interrupted regular manufacturing schedules.

"All manufacturers are working hard to overcome supply shortages and we expect any downturn to be short lived. The outlook for the UK motor industry is extremely good and this should generate new opportunities for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers."